Norton Commends BOP for Starting to Release D.C. Inmates from Prison to Home Confinement in Light of Coronavirus, Calls for More Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today she appreciates the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) action to begin to release D.C. inmates, both federal and D.C. Code offenders, from prison to home confinement pursuant to its new authority under the CARES Act, in light of the coronavirus. The BOP informed Norton that 84 D.C. inmates have been placed on home confinement under the CARES Act, of whom 59 are D.C. Code offenders and 25 are federal offenders. Norton has requested regular updates from BOP on the number of inmates released to home confinement, which the BOP has promised to provide.

"I am pleased that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has started to release eligible D.C. inmates to home confinement in light of the coronavirus," Norton said. "While I hope that the BOP picks up the pace and begins releasing more qualified inmates, this is a positive first step. I look forward to continuing to work with BOP to ensure D.C. residents in their custody are protected from the coronavirus."

Norton previously wrote to BOP urging them to prioritize eligible D.C. Code inmates for release to home confinement. Norton also worked with BOP to release many Hope Village halfway house residents to home confinement, with all but 30-40 being released to home confinement. She also worked with the U.S. Parole Commission to reduce the number of inmates in its custody during the coronavirus. Norton was also successful in getting passed her amendment to the House-passed HEROES Act clarifying that D.C. Code inmates would be eligible for the coronavirus-related early release provisions in the bill.