By Sarah Calams
WASHINGTON — The federal Bureau of Prisons ordered a national lockdown amid civil unrest in cities across the U.S.
The move marks the agency’s most severe restrictions at its federal facilities in 25 years. BOP officials said the lockdown was not due to inmate actions, USA Today reported.
“In light of extensive protest activity occurring around the country, the BOP – in an abundance of caution – is implementing an additional, temporary security measure to ensure the good order and security of our institutions, as well as ensure the safety of staff and inmates,” the agency said in a statement. “In securing our facilities, our hope is that this security measure is short-lived and that inmates will be restored to limited movement in the very near future.”
In late March, officials imposed nationwide restrictions on inmate movements in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“There has been loss,” Michael Carvajal, director of the federal prison system, said. “Those deaths affect us deeply. The losses are difficult to accept.”
Currently, over 1,600 inmates and 171 staff members have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. Over 3,600 inmates and 445 staff members have recovered.