Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Andy Kim (NJ-03) led a group of bipartisan House members in calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to take serious action to stop the dangerous and disproportionate spread of COVID-19 in U.S. Bureau of Prison (BOP)-managed institutions that has led to the death of employees and at least 220 inmates.

“As of this writing, according to the BOP’s own data, more than 45,000 inmates at BOP-managed institutions have tested positive for COVID-19, fully one third of the system’s inmate population. Bureau employees and, at least, 220 inmates have died. Notably, among the deceased, a higher portion were located at BOP-managed institutions than community-based facilities,” the lawmakers wrote. “Even in states like Massachusetts and New Jersey, whose residents have suffered mightily due to the pandemic, no more than 10 percent of the population has, thus far, been infected – far less than the inmate population.”

“Despite those facts, in recent correspondence to members of Congress, a Bureau Regional Director wrote ‘[t]he efficacy of the Bureau’s mitigation strategies can be seen in the very low number of hospitalized inmates throughout the country.’ In light of the foregoing data, it would seem that the Bureau’s leadership actually has not much reason to celebrate much “efficacy” in its COVID-19 mitigation strategies,” the lawmakers continued. “While we recognize that this virus is especially contagious and can spread via asymptomatic carriers, we also hope you will agree that those traits demand even greater care and precautionary measures to protect federal employees and inmates.

As part of their request, the lawmakers recommended that the DOJ and BOP take action to:

• Facilitate on-site testing of staff;
• Ensure the appropriate use of compassionate release;
• Prohibit non-compliance with President Biden’s executive order mandating mask-wearing at all federal facilities;
• And provide hazard pay for all BOP staff retroactive to the initial declaration of the coronavirus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency.

“While it would have been preferable for the prior Administration to take greater precautions sooner, it is now in your hands to strengthen infection containment and prevention measures as well as ensure the Bureau’s employees receive the aid they’ve earned,” the lawmakers said. “It is our hope that you will expeditiously review this matter and ensure all facilities proceed in accordance with the severity of our declared state of emergency. Nothing less will keep inmates and staff safe.”

In January, Trahan authored a letter with Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02) to then-BOP Michael Carvajal requesting that he take immediate action to help stop the alarming spread of COVID-19 among inmates and staff at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Devens, which was especially dangerous given the facility’s mission to provide care to inmates with a range of medical conditions. Trahan continues to monitor the number of cases at FMC Devens.

A digital copy of the letter can be accessed by CLICKING HERE. Additional co-signers of the letter sent today include: Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Val Demings (FL-10), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Bobby L. Rush (IL-01), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), and Juan Vargas (CA-51).

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