Norton to Request Funding to Address Serious Understaffing at Federal Prisons in Pending Spending Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said she will request that congressional appropriators provide new funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in the pending fiscal year 2019 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to address serious understaffing at federal prisons in the wake of killings and violence at BOP's Hazelton facility in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, where more than 500 District of Columbia Code felons are housed. Norton called for appropriators to include the funding as they negotiate the final spending bill. The current Continuing Resolution funding the government runs through December 7, 2018.

Norton has drawn particular attention to the understaffing at Hazelton, where two inmates from the District died during violent altercations this year, and yesterday it was reported that James "Whitey" Bulger was killed less than 24 hours after being transferred to Hazelton. Norton has requested a U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General investigation into alleged appalling conditions at Hazelton. American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President J. David Cox, who represents federal prison employees, said in a press release yesterday that "Federal prisons across the country are suffering from severe understaffing, and the situation is perhaps no more dire than at Hazelton." In its release, AFGE added that Hazelton "has been severely understaffed for years, which has recently been compounded by further cuts."

"The Bureau of Prisons has been known for high-quality, professional staff, but now there are reports that accountants, teachers and administrative assistants are called on to fill in as officers and first responders during violent incidents," Norton said. "Understaffing and shortages of resources at our federal prisons have created dangerous environments that threaten the safety of inmates and personnel alike. It is past time to go to appropriators as conditions like those at Hazelton continue to deteriorate."