Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Justice

Summary

What GAO Found In May 2025, GAO identified 17 priority recommendations for the Department of Justice (DOJ). Since then, DOJ has implemented three of those recommendations. In June 2026, GAO identified an additional four priority recommendations, bringing the total to 18. GAO is highlighting the following two areas that warrant timely and focused attention: Managing the federal prison system, and Protecting national security. Addressing GAO's recommendations in these areas would help ensure the successful reintegration of incarcerated people into the community and save millions of dollars in taxpayer funds; and enhance Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security efforts to share information about domestic terrorism threats; Taking action to implement all of GAO's open priority recommendations would help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations across DOJ. Why GAO Did This Study Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or make progress toward addressing a high risk or duplication issue, among other benefits. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations. For more information, contact Jason L. Bair at BairJ@gao.gov.