Dr. M Blatstein's Blog

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While The BOP Addresses Staffing Shortages and Crumbling Infrastructure

In a document obtained by the AP, the Bureau of Prisons expressed its commitment to taking “decisive and strategic action” to confront “significant challenges,” such as a critical staffing shortage, aging infrastructure, and insufficient budgetary resources. These steps are vital for ensuring safety and effectiveness in our correctional facilities.

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A SHOCK TO AIC/INMATES

Three of the closures are satellite prison camps to low-security prisons:

• FCI Oxford, Wisconsin, Camp (had already been emptied, having relocated its camp-eligible inmates last June);
• FCI Englewood, Colorado, Camp (72 inmates); and a facility with benefits for Veterans.
• FCI Loretto, Pennsylvania, Camp (76 inmates).

The closures of the Oxford, Englewood, and Loretto facilities will allow Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff to be reassigned to on-site low-security facilities.

FPC Pensacola, which the Navy owns, is in significant disrepair and will be demolished after approximately 500 prisoners and 100 staff members are relocated to other facilities. While open, their CDL classes have trained drivers who have been released and gotten good-paying jobs. Understanding the FSA Law and Programming, their staff has had the time to get AIC released to HH or HC successfully.

FPC Duluth has an aging and dilapidated infrastructure, including several condemned buildings contaminated with asbestos and lead paint. About 736 inmates and 90 staff members will be moved to other facilities.

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A SHOCK TO VETERANS

The upcoming closures of the Duluth, Morgantown (the only other BOP facility that houses a special wing just for Veterans training service guide dogs for other veterans with PTSD or other disabilities), and Pensacola stand-alone correctional camps will significantly affect 1,647 prisoners. 

Specifically, the Morgantown Camp, which has housed a significant number of inmates, will shut down, relocating about 400 inmates and 150 staff members. These individuals will be transferred to the federal prison complex in Hazelton, West Virginia, roughly 23 miles (37 kilometers) away. This strategic decision aims to optimize resources within the Bureau of Prisons, ensuring facilities operate more efficiently.

In April, FCI Dublin, the female prison near San Francisco Bay, was emptied of all inmates, who were transported away on Bureau of Prisons (BOP) buses. This move aimed to obstruct federal court litigation regarding allegations of sexual abuse involving potentially hundreds of inmates. However, the court saw through this tactic. Walter Pavlo reported in Forbes that the prison has been vacant since early May. While there were hopes for reopening, it now seems unlikely that the facility will resume operations.

The agency has embarked on an inspiring journey to create a new medium-security prison facility and a minimum-security camp in Roxana, Kentucky, designed to house approximately 1,400 inmates. This initiative reflects a commitment to modern facilities and infrastructure, with Congress generously allocating $500 million for construction.

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A SHOCK TO EMPLOYEES

As part of this process, approximately 400 employees will be freed up to take on roles in other facilities. Will they want to move, or could they afford to move across the country? Will the BOP cover their expenses?

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My Takeaways

We are moving AICs/Inmates from areas with no overcrowding and appropriate staffing to understaffed and overcrowded facilities. This is naturally traumatic to inmates and their loved ones alike. It could be beneficial to

1) make a placement request (with a backup) and

2) This could be helpful, as your case managers will be just as upset and confused as you are, so respect their time and space as you approach them with your questions and requests. 

3) Will they (?) allow a Furlough based on your PATTERN Score, PSF? Ask if that option exists. This is not guaranteed as the BOP may already have a plan to just bus ship everyone to places they’ve chosen. But acting now can’t hurt. Should request a transfer to another prison for a First Step Act Program (like RDAP), according to their Program Statement, families may be allowed to drive them if it’s under 16 hours.

Pages:

• 2, 3, 9, 15: In Blue, With an Embedded Link
• 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13 in Red with Embedded links
• 7 Red and Blue

Will the remaining Freestanding FPC be closed in the future? Will more Satellite Camps Follow? From Walt Pavlo at Forbes: This makes places like FPC Bryan (TX, female prison), FPC Montgomery (AL), and FPC Yankton (SD) possible candidates for future closures.

Is this a partial knee-jerk reaction to the new MEGA-republican party?