Every American viewed with horror the tragic events of the hostile actions on Capitol Hill on January 6. Now the country is on edge as more protests are likely to occur across the country. There are more than 22,000 National Guard troops in Washington DC as both deterrent and protection from violent acts that could disrupt the Inauguration of Joe Biden.
The tensions we all feel are magnified in our federal prison facilities. Federal inmates have been in a state of strict confinement since the federal Bureau of Prisons modified its operations in March 2020. Since then, most all visitation has been cancelled, intermediate lockdowns implemented to reduce contagion of COVID-19 and many inmate programs/activities put on hold. Things are about to get even more restrictive.
Federal prisons on lockdown ahead of Biden Inauguration.
The BOP issued a statement early today (January 16, 2021) announcing that a national lockdown is in place until further notice:
“... in light of current events occurring around the country, and out of an abundance of caution, the decision has been made to secure all institutions. This measure is being taken to maintain the security and orderly running of our institutions, as well as to ensure the continued safety of staff, inmates, and the public.
In securing the facilities, the hope is that this prudent measure is for a short period and that operations will be restored to their prior status as soon as practical. We will continue to monitor events carefully and will adjust operations accordingly as the situation continues to evolve. Recognizing that communication with families is important, although it will be limited, inmates will be provided with access to telephones and email.”
I spoke to Jack Donson who worked as a Correctional Treatment Specialist at the BOP before retiring in 2011 who told me that many inmates are under mental stress as a result of living in a correctional institutional environment, but lockdowns add to that stress. Donson told me, “The BOP is on record regarding how important family visitation is for adjustment as well a person's mental health.” In its directive, the BOP acknowledged that communication with families is important but access to both phone and emails will be limited during the lockdown.
Even before COVID-19 and this national lockdown, BOP staff was under pressure due to staffing shortages. The Office of Inspector General issued a report on the BOP’s overtime in fiscal year 2019 stating that over $300 million had been spent on worker overtime. One of the conclusions of that report was that;
“A safe and secure correctional setting requires a minimum staff count, meaning BOP has limited flexibility when it comes to staffing levels and assignments. Therefore, a staffing shortage at a BOP facility presents a significant challenge. BOP uses staff overtime as a mechanism to supplement staffing”
One can expect that overtime will only increase as a result of COVID-19 where absent workers are being supplemented by those working additional hours to cover for them. Donson added, “Lock downs impact prisons more than one realizes. Aside from the termination of visitation, extended isolation and programs interruption, it taxes the resources of both staff and inmates, especially those in minimum security camps who need to perform work details inside adjacent, higher security facilities.”
The BOP did not indicate a date when the lockdown will end but it most assuredly depends on the events associated with what is supposed to be a peaceful transition of power. For those who are surrendering to prison in the upcoming days, plan on showing up as the BOP must take new surrenders .. am sure they will find a holding space. Based on people I’ve spoken to, those who are supposed to show up to prison may want to ask for an extension ... between COVID protocols and this newest lockdown the conditions are not the best inside the BOP.
The last national lockdown of BOP facilities related to national security events occurred when protests broke out in June 2020 as a result of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
