As reported in articles in the Washington Post and Politico: “The U.S. Marshals Service announced on Tuesday that it had conducted an ‘unannounced inspection’ of District of Columbia Department of Corrections facilities two weeks ago and determined that one of the complexes — the main jail — did not meet federal standards.”
The inspection “revealed that conditions there do not meet the minimum standards of confinement as prescribed by the Federal Performance-Based Detention Standards.” As a result, approximately 400 prisoners — all pretrial detainees — are being moved to the federal penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pa., the Marshals Service said.
Christopher Geldart, D.C. deputy mayor for public safety and justice, said on Tuesday night that the D.C. government was committed to addressing the shortcomings identified by the Marshals Service. He objected, however, to moving those prisoners who are D.C. residents out of state.
What impact this development may have on the plans for, and timing of, the development of a new jail was not commented on by DC officials.