DOJ Watchdog: Nearly 200 Suicides Unchecked in U.S. Prisons
OAN’s James Meyers
10:16 AM – Thursday, February 15, 2024
According to a Justice Department watchdog insider, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) failed to prevent the deaths of 187 inmates who died by suicide over an eight-year span, according to a released report.
On Thursday, Inspector General Michael Horowitz blamed the deaths on BOP’s “operational and managerial deficiencies” which included staffing problems that left inmates without proper care and supervision.
“It is critical that the BOP address these challenges so it can operate safe and humane facilities and protect inmates in its custody and care,” Horowitz said, announcing the report.
The report revealed by Horowitz is based on a review of 344 inmates’ deaths from the 2014 to 2021 fiscal years, which showed 187 of them were death by suicide.
Additionally, the report’s main focus was on deaths that were likely preventable, instead of deaths that were related to medical care.
The data showed “numerous instances of potentially inappropriate” mental health assessments for inmates who later died by suicide. Furthermore, more than half of the inmates that died by suicide were in “single-cell confinement,” which is known as solitary confinement, when they eventually died by suicide.
“Any unexpected death of an adult in custody is tragic … we have already taken many steps to mitigate these deaths,” Colette Peters, BOP director, wrote in a response to the report.
The review began in 2020 after Congress requested to investigate inmate homicides and suicides. It was prompted by the media-reported deaths of Jeffrey Epstein and Whitey Bulger.
Prisons run by the BOP are required to run mock suicide drills three times a year. However, 67 of the BOP’s 194 facilities “were unable to provide evidence that they conducted a single mock suicide drill from 2018 through 2020.”
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What alternatives to solitary confinement can be explored in order to reduce the high number of suicides among inmates in this form of confinement?
Failure to prevent inmate deaths by suicide is a grave concern and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). According to a recently released report by the Justice Department watchdog, 187 inmates died by suicide over an eight-year period, highlighting the operational and managerial deficiencies within the BOP.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz, in presenting the report, emphasized the need for the BOP to address these challenges in order to ensure the safety and humane treatment of inmates under its custody and care. The report was based on a comprehensive review of 344 inmate deaths from 2014 to 2021, with 187 of them being classified as suicide.
One troubling finding of the report was the number of preventable deaths. The focus was not solely on deaths related to medical care but specifically on deaths that could have been prevented. The report revealed numerous instances of potentially inappropriate mental health assessments for inmates who later died by suicide. This highlights the importance of identifying and addressing mental health issues within the prison system to prevent such tragic incidents.
Another concerning aspect revealed by the report is the high number of suicides among inmates in solitary confinement, or what is commonly referred to as “single-cell confinement.” More than half of the inmates who died by suicide were in solitary confinement at the time of their deaths. This calls into question the effectiveness of solitary confinement as a punitive measure and raises concerns about the mental well-being of inmates subjected to such conditions.
The BOP must take immediate action to address these deficiencies and implement necessary reforms. This should include addressing staffing problems to ensure that inmates receive proper care and supervision. Mental health assessments should be conducted thoroughly and appropriately, with a focus on identifying individuals at risk of self-harm. Additionally, alternatives to solitary confinement should be explored, as it is clear that it has the potential to exacerbate mental health issues and increase the risk of suicide.
In conclusion, the failure to prevent inmate deaths by suicide within the Federal Bureau of Prisons is a serious issue that demands immediate attention. The recently released report highlights the operational and managerial deficiencies that have contributed to these tragic incidents. It is essential for the BOP to prioritize the safety and well-being of inmates and address these challenges. By implementing necessary reforms and focusing on mental health care within the prison system, the BOP can strive to operate safe and humane facilities and protect the individuals under its custody and care.
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