Lompoc Prison provides update on coronavirus response as CA lawmakers request urgent action
LOMPOC, Calif. - Congressman Salud Carbajal and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris have sent a second letter to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, urging immediate action at the Lompoc Prison.
The letter, addressed to BOP Director Michael Carvajal, comes one week after the lawmakers sent an initial letter which asked for expedited approval of a mobile hospital and additional personal protective equipment (PPE) that the prison requested.
Tuesday's letter asked for an update from the Bureau of Prisons about what steps are being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex that has been ravaged by a steadily growing number of coronavirus cases.
“We are writing to you today to continue stressing the need for the BOP to move with urgency in establishing this facility with the necessary staff and equipment—including ventilators,” the letter states. “We recently heard that Lompoc USP is still not receiving sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). We are also troubled to hear the BOP has not implemented a plan to protect its correctional officers and staff, who are also being exposed to COVID-19.”
The letter touches on the growing number of cases at the facility, with some totals estimating a doubling of cases since the previous letter was sent.
In addition, the letter also recounts individual statements that some prison staff were sleeping in their cars to protect family from possible exposure to the deadly virus.
The full letter can be read here.
Late Monday evening, the Federal Bureau of Prisons issued a media statement with an update on the situation at FCC Lompoc. The Federal Correctional Complex includes both the medium-security penitentiary and the low-security prison.
The statement says the BOP has been working with FCC Lompoc and the prison is following the guidance and recommendations from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies including the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health.
According to the Bureau of Prisons, FCC Lompoc is continuing to negotiate a contract for the on-site mobile hospital, which is expected to be located inside a decommissioned factory on prison property. The prison is also retrofitting 10 offices within that space to accommodate "double-occupancy negative pressure rooms for the more serious cases."
Refuting some of the claims made in the letter from the lawmakers, BOP says staff at the prison follow a comprehensive plan to prevent exposure and the spread of the virus.
Steps taken in the comprehensive plan includes:
- Educating staff and inmates on cleaning and hygiene practices
- Providing cleaning supplies throughout the complex in common areas
- Screening all personnel entering the institutions, including symptoms and temperature checks
- Testing inmates when clinically indicated
- Following isolation quarantine protocols in accordance with CDC and public health
- Providing clinical care for confirmed and suspected cases.
In addition, all inmates who are being released into the community are quarantined for 14 days and then screened again before release, BOP said.
The statement from the Bureau of Prisons is at times at-odds with claims made by the trio of lawmakers as it relates to personal protective equipment. According to the BOP, FCC Lompoc has "an ample supply" of PPE, including gowns, gloves and masks.
"Staff are provided the appropriate level of PPE when entering isolation/quarantine units and during enhanced staff screenings (i.e., masks, gown, eye protection, gloves). Cloth face-coverings were issued to all staff and inmates, and CDC informational flyers are posted throughout the Complex on hand washing, coughing/sneezing in a sleeve or tissue, and no physical contact."
Statement from the Federal Bureau of Prisons
The prison says they continue to prioritize the health and well-being of their inmates and staff and are committed to slowing the spread of COVID-19 at the prison.
To read the Federal Bureau of Prison's statement in its entirety, click here.
