A press release issued by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reports that she sent a letter to the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Colette Peters, regarding critical issues facing District of Columbia residents in BOP custody. BOP is responsible for housing individuals convicted of D.C. Code felonies.

Norton requested that all individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses housed at USP Pollock immediately be moved to a safer facility, citing the recent deaths of two D.C. residents and other targeted violence there. Norton also requested that Peters meet with the D.C. Corrections Information Council (CIC) to discuss the facility and grant its request to immediately visit the facility.

Norton also requested that BOP grant CIC full access to facilities and be allowed 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. Norton also reiterated her longstanding request that BOP assign one facility near D.C. to house all individuals convicted of D.C. Code offenses in BOP custody.

“Housing individuals convicted of D.C. Code felonies 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,” Norton said. “Two D.C. residents were recently killed at USP Pollock and other D.C. residents have been attacked, apparently because they are D.C. residents. 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 believe it is vital for CIC to have access to all parts of BOP facilities, so it can conduct comprehensive reviews.”

A FULL COPY OF THE LETTER IS BELOW

Colette Peters
Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street NW, Washington, DC 20534

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,
Eleanor Holmes Norton