Mark DeSaulnier

05/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/24/2024 11:23

Representatives DeSaulnier, Chu, Eshoo, Jackson Lee, Kamlager-Dove, Lee, Lofgren, Schiff, Scott, and Swalwell Call for Hearings to Investigate Abuse at FCI Dublin and Increase[...]

Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) along with Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28), Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-30), Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Congressman Eric Swalwell (CA-14) sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability requesting they hold hearings on the recent closure and transfer of inmates from the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, the facility's past pervasive culture of abuse, and BOP facilities and their treatment of inmates more broadly as such action is essential to answer outstanding questions and provide much-needed oversight of BOP.

In the letter, the members wrote, "In the weeks since BOP announced the closure of FCI Dublin…we have heard from former inmates who were recently released, family of inmates who have since been transferred from FCI Dublin, and advocates-all of whom have told us about shocking abuses that took place during the mass inmate transfers… This level of disregard for human dignity cannot be tolerated."

The members continued, "Further, as you may know, there has been a tragic and unacceptable history of long-term abuse of inmates at FCI Dublin. On April 5, 2024, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers appointed Special Master Wendy Still… to oversee FCI Dublin's compliance with federal law and constitutional requirements. We share a belief in the importance of Special Master Still's mandate and are concerned that the closure of the prison will delay or deny much-needed accountability.

Committee investigations and hearings would allow Congress to address past and current issues and hear directly from decision makers in BOP and the Department of Justice about their plans for this facility, including how the closure was planned and executed, and their efforts to ensure this sinister culture of abuse is not replicated in other BOP facilities."

The full text of the letter can be found here.