Letter to Colette Peters, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons - Norton Sends Letter to New Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Regarding Critical Issues Facing D.c. Residents in Bop Custody

Letter

Dear Director Peters:

I write regarding individuals convicted of District of Columbia Code offenses housed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). These individuals are the only individuals not convicted of federal crimes who are required to be housed by BOP. These individuals are often housed thousands of miles from their families and support networks and are apparently victims of targeted violence.

On August 17, 2022, I sent you a letter regarding the dangerous conditions for individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses housed at USP Pollock. Two D.C. residents were recently killed there and other D.C. residents have been attacked, apparently because they are D.C. residents. I request that all the individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses housed at USP Pollock immediately be moved into a safer facility. I also reiterate my request that you immediately meet with the D.C. Corrections Information Council (CIC) to discuss this situation. I understand that the CIC had planned on doing a site visit at the facility at the end of September, but has requested to do so earlier given this situation. I urge you to grant that request.

I further understand that BOP and CIC are negotiating an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding CIC's access to BOP facilities and information. I have been informed that one of the unresolved issues is CIC's request for access to all parts of the facilities it visits, including the special housing unit. I believe it is vital for CIC to have access to all parts of the facilities, so it can conduct a comprehensive review, and I urge you to include such access in the MOU.

I also reiterate my previous request that the MOU authorize CIC to share pertinent information about individuals convicted of D.C Code offenses in BOP custody with other D.C. government agencies, so that these agencies can better assist with reentry services.

Finally, I reiterate my longstanding request that BOP assign one facility near D.C.to house all individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses housed by BOP. I appreciate that BOP has previously indicated that it attempts to house all inmates within 500 miles of their returning address in compliance with the First Step Act. However, housing individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses in BOP custody in one facility near D.C. would benefit these individuals by allowing them to be closer to family and support networks and perhaps not be victims of targeted violence.

I ask that you respond in writing by September 16, 2022.

Sincerely,

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