Norton Gets Assurances from U.S. Marshals Service that D.C. Inmates in Superior Court Protected During Coronavirus

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today received a response from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to her letter expressing concerns that inmates were possibly not well protected against the coronavirus while making appearances at the District of Columbia. Superior Court. In its response, USMS assured Norton that inmates are screened before being brought to court, that inmates and USMS staff have adequate supplies to e protect them from the coronavirus, that inmate restraints were not being used more than once before being cleaned and that staff are practicing social distancing.

"We appreciate the response of the U.S. Marshals Service, which protects the D.C. Superior Court and enforces its orders, to my inquiry, with assurances concerning coronavirus exposure of inmates and personnel at the Superior Court," Norton said. "We will continue to monitor and work with the Marshals and the Superior Court to ensure they have whatever is necessary to protect everyone involved in the justice system."

USMS letter is below.

April 3, 2020

The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton

U.S. House of Representatives

2136 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20514

Dear Congresswoman Norton:

This responds to your letter to Marshal Robert Dixon dated March 22, 2020, inquiring about the precautions that the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is taking at the District of Columbia Superior Court (Court) during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In spite of the threats posed by COVID-19, the brave men and women of the USMS, as well as Court personnel, continue to perform their responsibilities in order to support the rule of law. USMS continues to produce defendants for court appearances in support of essential court functions. However, due to COVID-19 and in accordance with Chief Justice Robert Morin's March 15, 2020 directive, the Court has been in a reduced operating status. As a result, we are producing fewer defendants for judicial proceedings than normal.

As a general matter, prisoners are screened at the detention facility before being transported to the courthouse. Any prisoner exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will not be transported to a courthouse. Our deputies are handling prisoners with increased caution and are using available personal protective equipment, such as gloves, to reduce the risk of disease transmission. The USMS courthouse cellblock has toilet paper, running water, and hand sanitizer for our detainees. Prisoner restraints are not reused before being cleaned. In handling arrestees, USMS is practicing social distancing measures as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the extent practicable within the cellblock and courtroom environment. We will continue to consult with the Court and other partners to ensure that appropriate sanitization and social distancing measures are employed throughout the judicial process wherever possible.

We hope this information is helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact this office if we can provide additional assistance regarding this or any other matter.

Respectfully,

William Delaney

Chief, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs