A damning report by the Justice Department’s inspector general finds that “repeated policy violations and operational failures are contributing to inmate suicides” at federal prisons.
The report looked at the period from 2014 to 2021 and found that just over half of the 344 deaths investigated were due to suicide.
The report was prompted in part by “high-profile deaths at BOP institutions, including the murder of James ‘Whitey’ Bulger in 2018 and the suicide of Jeffrey Epstein in 2019.”
The 344 deaths identified were classified into one of four categories: 1) suicide, 2) homicide, 3) accident, and 4) unknown factors. The report found “a combination of recurring policy violations and operational failures.” [within BOP] This contributed to the inmate’s suicide. ”
Mississippi prison sued over dangerous conditions and medical deficiencies
Examples of contraband seized at BOP institutions. This is a metal knife found at FCI Hazelton. (Inspector’s Office)
More than half of prisoners who die by suicide are held in single-cell, or solitary confinement, increasing the risk of suicide among prisoners.
The report also found that BOP staff’s response to emergencies was “often inadequate due to a lack of clear communication, urgency, and adequate equipment.”
Special Counsel Ha to testify publicly on damning report revealing problems with Biden’s memory and age: Report
Examples of contraband seized at BOP institutions. This is a plastic knife found at FTC Oklahoma City. (Inspector’s Office)
Many of the deaths were due to drugs, and IG Michael Horowitz’s report notes that cell searches often fail. The IG cited an example of an inmate’s suicide due to drug overdose, stating that “a property search of the inmate’s cell after his death revealed that the inmate had collected more than 1,000 pills.”
The report also reveals that inmates are receiving illegal drugs in a variety of ways, including by drone, which the BOP is still trying to combat by implementing an “anti-drone initiative.”
FBI records from Jeffrey Epstein document dump targeted by Senate judicial investigation
Image of the full Justice Department Office of Inspector General report released to the public on Tuesday, “Investigation and Review of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Custody, Care, and Supervision of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York.” , June 27, 2023. (U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General)
Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters released a lengthy response calling the unexpected deaths “tragic,” adding, “We have already taken many steps to mitigate these deaths and our efforts continue. We welcome the OIG’s recommendations as a way to further advance our efforts.” Mr. Peters is here his eighth BOP director in just over a decade.
The report acknowledges that the BOP faces “many challenges,” but also highlights “several areas where BOP action is not sufficient.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Former Bureau of Prisons Commissioner Michael D. Carvajal resigned in 2022 amid reports of widespread corruption in the federal prison system.
His resignation comes months after the Associated Press reported that the Bureau of Prisons was “a breeding ground for abuse, graft and corruption, and a turning a blind eye to officials accused of wrongdoing.” Since 2019, more than 100 BOP workers have been arrested, convicted, or sentenced for crimes, and one warden has been charged with inmate sexual abuse.
Fox News Digital’s Jon Brown and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
