We post news and comment on federal criminal justice issues, focused primarily on trial and post-conviction matters, legislative initiatives, and sentencing issues.
SEISMIC DEVELOPMENTS AT TAFT
The Bureau of Prisons announced last week that it is closing Taft Correctional Institution, a government-owned prison run by a private contractor, on Jan. 31, because foundation settlement problems in buildings used for education and recreation would cost $100 million to repair, money the BOP says it does not have.
Taft, which has a low-security facility housing mostly inmates with immigration detainers and a satellite camp, is within 10 miles of the San Andreas fault. Current BOP population statistics show 1,653 at Taft.
By the end of the week, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California), had asked the BOP to suspend moving any inmates from Taft to other facilities, complaining that the “Bureau has so far refused to share detailed information regarding this decision and supporting materials, other than limited information included in the original deactivation notification.” In a letter to BOP Director Kathleen Sawyer Hawk and Attorney General William Barr, McCarthy called for “an immediate suspension of any activities related to the deactivation of the Taft Correctional Institution.”
Unconfirmed reports indicated that Taft administration told inmates last week that in response to McCarthy’s request, no inmates would be transferred for now. However, that embargo did not last long. Sources report that the first wave of staff layoffs, effective after Thanksgiving, were issued Tuesday. Inmates are already being transferred to other institutions, and plans reportedly are to transfer all of the low-security inmates by the end of November.
Taft, California, Midway Driller, Taft Correctional Institution to close Jan. 31 (Oct. 1)
Taft, California, Midway Driller, Congressman says BOP has “refused to provide full accounting” for closing federal prison (Oct. 7)
Bakersfield, California, KBAK-TV, Congressman McCarthy calls on DOJ and BOP to suspend Taft’s prison closure (Oct. 4)
– Thomas L. Root