A new report released by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has identified "deficiencies" within the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) as the cause of 187 deaths by suicide over an eight-year period.
The report, led by DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz, reviewed 344 inmate deaths from 2014 to 2021, revealing that more than half of these deaths were due to suicide.
According to the report, a combination of recurring policy violations and operational failures within the BOP contributed to the high number of inmate suicides. The OIG identified several operational and managerial deficiencies that created unsafe conditions for inmates, both prior to and at the time of their deaths.
The reviewed deaths were categorized as homicide, suicide, unknown factors, and accident. The report highlighted that more than half of the suicides involved inmates in single cells or housed alone, which significantly increases the risk of suicide.
The report emphasized that the BOP can play a crucial role in preventing suicides by ensuring compliance with existing policies. Additionally, the report followed up on the reviews of the deaths of Whitey Bulger and Jeffrey Epstein.
The investigation concluded that weapons and contraband drugs were factors in nearly one-third of inmate deaths, with overdoses being the cause of 70 deaths. Operational challenges, such as staffing shortages, an outdated security camera system, staff failure to follow BOP policies and procedures, and an ineffective and untimely staff disciplinary process, were identified as contributing factors in many of the inmate deaths.
In response to the report, the OIG made 12 recommendations, all of which were agreed upon by the BOP. These recommendations aim to address the identified deficiencies and improve the safety and well-being of inmates within the federal prison system.
The report sheds light on the urgent need for reforms within the BOP to prevent further loss of life and ensure the proper care and security of inmates. The implementation of the recommended changes will be crucial in addressing the systemic issues that have contributed to the high number of inmate suicides.
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