Help Our Loved Ones Prison Abolition Prisoner Support
Media Contact: Rachel Vergara Media Contact: Azzurra Crispino
918-954-2596 512-710-727
INMATE FAMILIES TAKE ACTION IN AFTERMATH OF HARVEY
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX: Families and friends of inmates are gathering in white shirts for peace at the regional office of the Bureau of Prisons located at 344 Marine Forces Dr. Grand Prairie, TX 75051 at 2:30pm on September 11th to demand improvements in conditions their loved ones face in the aftermath of Harvey and attempt to communicate with BOP officials directly. This coincides with the Prisoners Legal Advocacy Network (administered by the Delaware-New Jersey chapter of the National Lawyers Guild) issuing an administrative filing with the BOP documenting and demanding redress of many of the same conditions family members are protesting in the aftermath of the BOP refusing to evacuate inmates.
After Harvey hit, power and water supply at the prison complex was cut off, leaving inmates without running water, proper sanitation, or air conditioning. Although portable toilets were eventually brought to the unit, they were insufficient for the number of inmates and overflowing, causing unsanitary conditions. Inmates have resorted to voiding in plastic bags because of the lack of proper sanitation. Prison officials have been turning the water on once a day only to allow the men to flush the toilets, while telling them not to drink the water. Inmates have been receiving between 2 and 4 small bottles of water a day, which is insufficient for the heat and sanitary conditions. Some inmates report drinking the toxic toilet water. There have been consistent reports of lack of food and inmates have not received clean clothes since before the storm hit.
Family members are demanding the BOP: evacuate all units in Beaumont until proper steps are made to address contamination, mold and other health hazards, as well as restoring access to clean drinking water; publicize all internal correspondence regarding disaster relief; resume communications for ALL prisoners, including those in administrative segregation, and outside supporters and media; allow reporters to tour facilities; give proper medical care to inmates including tetanus shots, blood work and physicals to ensure prisoners are treated for any infections they may have contracted; clean clothes; and meals that meet the Bureau of Prisons national menu standards. Those unable to make the rally are asked to call 972-730-8600 to voice these demands.
Conditions in Texas Department of Criminal Justice units may be even worse than in federal facilities. Prisoners Legal Advocacy Network will also be issuing an administrative filing for TDCJ facilities, with additional protest actions to follow.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: FAMILY MEMBERS, LAWYERS, INMATES, SUPPORTERS
###
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41874-no-toilet-no-ventilation-prisoners-describe-horrific-conditions-in-harvey-s-flood-zone
http://m.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Texas-prisons-take-hit-from-Harvey-complaints-of-12172438.php
http://m.chron.com/news/houston-weather/hurricaneharvey/article/Harvey-beaumont-prison-inmates-speak-out-texas-12167587.php
https://www.federalprisonblog.com/2017/09/happening-fcc-beaumont.html
my son is in Beaumont Medium and he is complaining about the negligence in that prison they treat them like animals, violate their rights, with Hurricane Harvey was worse, the toilets were spilled with excrement and they did not give them anything to clean and they slept for two nights that way, the bottles of water were dirty, they had to eat their food with the excrement that spilled from the toilet
ReplyDeletePrayers for your son and everybody who went through this. I know it is hard. I still think about that day I got the phone call. This will forever haunt us and especially your son, my husband, and everybody in Beaumont. Always keep faith and trust in the lord!
Delete