I-Team: Prison Overcrowding Fears
By: Andy Mehalshick
Updated: March 7, 2013
This is video taken inside the Seatac Federal Prison near Seattle in March of last year. It shows a lone corrections officer being brutally attacked by two inmates. This video was obtained by our NBC sister Station KING 5 TV. Investigative reporter Chris Ingalls has been looking into prison overcrowding and under staffing since this attack..we spoke with him via Skype..
"there are alot of concerns among corrections officers all across the country that they're being asked to do too much inside the federal prisons with too few people! "
Two reports prepared for Congress- within the last 6 months--one from the government accountability office--more commonly known as G.A.O. and another by the congressional research service. The reports detail widespread under staffing in all 116 federal prisons.
Overall prisons were 39% over capacity..but high to medium security facilities like Canaan were as much 55% over capacity. The reports also indicate. the federal prisons have a staffing shortage in excess of 3,200..
Ingalls has interviewed officials from the unions that represent corrections officer around the country and says the murder at Canaan sounded the alarms..
"The death of officer Williams sent a shock wave through all corrections officers all across the country this is the day they feared was coming... They feared it because in many cases an officer is alone inside these units with more than 100 inmates..sometimes with guys who are facing very serious crimes and charges or ave been convicted of them. They're fearful of their lives in some of these situations.
The corrections officer in Seattle survived the attack. The I-Team reached out local union officials for the corrections officers....thus far our calls have not been returned....the Bureau of Prisons also had no comment...Meanwhile the investigation into the Williams murder is ongoing
"there are alot of concerns among corrections officers all across the country that they're being asked to do too much inside the federal prisons with too few people! "
Two reports prepared for Congress- within the last 6 months--one from the government accountability office--more commonly known as G.A.O. and another by the congressional research service. The reports detail widespread under staffing in all 116 federal prisons.
Overall prisons were 39% over capacity..but high to medium security facilities like Canaan were as much 55% over capacity. The reports also indicate. the federal prisons have a staffing shortage in excess of 3,200..
Ingalls has interviewed officials from the unions that represent corrections officer around the country and says the murder at Canaan sounded the alarms..
"The death of officer Williams sent a shock wave through all corrections officers all across the country this is the day they feared was coming... They feared it because in many cases an officer is alone inside these units with more than 100 inmates..sometimes with guys who are facing very serious crimes and charges or ave been convicted of them. They're fearful of their lives in some of these situations.
The corrections officer in Seattle survived the attack. The I-Team reached out local union officials for the corrections officers....thus far our calls have not been returned....the Bureau of Prisons also had no comment...Meanwhile the investigation into the Williams murder is ongoing
Comments
Thank you Brian B.....well said and we love you right back!
MATT M.
March 8, 2013 at 11:13 am
I can appreciate this report, based on the low inmate to staff ratio that has been budget related ever since i been in the Bureau. Since I am a staff member intimately involved in this situation, I would like to deter anyone from posting negative comments or their "expert" knowledge of life inside a US Penitentiary. Inmates are inmates, they really never leave their life of crime after conviction and sentencing by a jury of their peers. If you don't understand the mind set of a inmate or the brave human being employed to watch them, I would rather you all keep your mouth shut. I can say this because I am a professional correctional officer, and a "GUARD". All of my brothers and sisters at USP Canaan are tough, caring and professional. Each day I supervise these officers who perform their duties by policy, ensuring inmates, ALL OF THEM, get what they have coming to escure they are cared for. As I type this, tears running down my face, for Eric, and my staff who are missing him daily, I just wish you all would let us and Eric's family heal. Prison is a dangerous place, we know what we signed up for. From the excellent executive staff we have, down to the newest rookie, we are all sorrowful, but moving on professionally, being their for one another always. I wish you all can see the perserverance in us, and what brotherhood and sisterhood is all about. As we move on, Eric Williams will be in our hearts forever, and a day. my staff and I lived this loss that fateful evening, so you self professed "JAIL" experts, please keep your comments to yourself, you know nothing about our lives on the inside. At this time, I am gonna thank my warden, Executive staff, Captain, all Canaan staff and our families to the unwavering love and support. I love you all, and cheers to your strength and perseverance.
brian b.
March 8, 2013 at 10:17 am
