W.Va. Corrections and Rehabilitation commissioner to head Federal Bureau of Prisons

WASHINGTON (WCHS) — Officials announced the West Virginia Divisions of Corrections and Rehabilitation commissioner has been named the next director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

William “Billy” K. Marshall III was tapped for the position Thursday, President Donald Trump announced.

"Billy is a strong advocate for law and order. He understands the struggles of our prisons better than anyone and will help fix our broken criminal justice system," Trump posted to Truth Social. "Congratulations, Billy. You will inspire us all!"

Following his appointment, Marshall responded with a statement thanking the President and praising the state's division.

“I want to think President Trump for this tremendous opportunity to lead our nation’s federal prison system,” Marshall said. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the state of West Virginia as the commissioner of Corrections and Rehabilitation. DCR have incredible talent and people and I was honored to represent them. I’m excited to take that West Virginia pride to the next level.”

Marshall is a Wahama High School graduate and earned a degree from Marshall University before going on to serve West Virginia State Police for 25 years.

West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice commended the hire on social media.

“I was proud to put Billy in charge of our Department of Corrections in West Virginia and we were able to turn it around after decades of decay,” Justice posted to X. “I have full confidence in him and know he will do a great job.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito also took to social media, congratulating Marshall on the position, calling him the "perfect candidate" for the job.

One area where Marshall was successful in his state job was dealing with staffing shortages that at one point required support from the West Virginia National Guard to keep lockups operational.

The federal system operates 122 prisons and nine of those are located in West Virginia. Marshall will be tasked with managing about 155,000 federal inmates.