DC Corrections Information Council

03/26/2020

cic.dc.gov

https://cic.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/cic/page_content/attachments/Legal%20Aid%20COVID-19%20Non-Legal%20Resource%20Guide.pdf

03/20/2020

65 inmates in self-quarantine, 1 tested for coronavirus at DC jail

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/dc-inmates-self-quarantine/65-bc1a331e-4f33-46eb-9a7b-2184e0a06ef2

One inmate is being tested for the virus, and has been separated from their cellmate while they wait for test results.

01/21/2020

10/24/2019

US Prisons to Photocopy Inmate Mail to Curb Drug Smuggling

https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/10/21/us/politics/ap-us-federal-prisons-mail.html

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has started photocopying inmate letters and other mail at some federal correctional facilities across the U.S. instead of delivering the original parcels, in an attempt to combat the smuggling of synthetic narcotics like K-2, officials told The Associated Press on Monday.

09/17/2019

With a letter of support from Kim Kardashian-West, D.C. man convicted of murder as a teen gets a second chance

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/with-a-letter-of-support-from-kim-kardashian-west-dc-man-convicted-of-murder-as-a-teen-becomes-latest-inmate-approved-for-early-release/2019/09/13/1f8400a6-d400-11e9-9610-fb56c5522e1c_story.html?arc404=true&noredirect=on&utm_campaign=5eab46f928-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_09_16_11_31&utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Marshall%20Project%20Newsletter

A judge has decided to grant the inmate, now 39, early release

09/06/2019

Early Prison Release Law Divides DC Leaders

https://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/first-read-dmv/Early-Prison-Release-Law-Divides-DC-Leaders-559528291.html

A law proposed in D.C. that would allow hundreds of convicted felons to apply for early release from prison has city leaders divided.

06/03/2019

Tomorrow morning, Councilmember Robert White will be introducing the "Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 2019," a bill to restore voting rights to DC residents who are incarcerated for felony convictions. He will be holding a press conference at 8:45am in the Wilson Building.

Since DC no longer operates its own prison, most individuals who are convicted of a felony in DC are sent to one of the over 120 federal prisons throughout the country. The CIC will be looking into how this bill, if passed, would be implemented in locations outside of the District, and will be in communication with the Council as well as the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Join me on Tuesday, June 4 at 8:45 A.M., for a press conference on my bill to restore the voting rights of DC’s incarcerated residents.

#RestoreTheVoteDC

05/31/2019

On Sunday, June 2, several groups are hosting a Homecoming Celebration for Returning Citizens. The event will have free food in addition to featured participants that can help with employment, housing, and the expungement process. Please see the attached flyer for additional information.

WHEN
Sunday, June 2, 2019
3pm-5pm

WHERE
First SDA Church
810 Shepherd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011

02/19/2019

USP Atwater Inspection Report - February 19, 2019 | cic

The DC Corrections Information Council (CIC) today released its USP Atwater Inspection Report with BOP response attached. USP Atwater is a high security Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility located in Atwater, California. As of April 2018, there were 30 men convicted of DC Criminal Code offenses at USP Atwater.

https://cic.dc.gov/node/1386586

USP Atwater is a high security Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility located in Atwater, California. As of April 2018, there were 30 men convicted of DC Criminal Code offenses at USP Atwater. The CIC conducted an onsite inspection of USP Atwater on April 11-12, 2018. The BOP Response is published...

02/19/2019

The CIC will be hosting an Open Meeting on Thursday, 2/21, from 6 - 8 PM at One Judiciary Square, 441 4th St NW, Room 1114, Washington, DC 20001.

For any questions or concerns, please contact us at (202) 478-9211 or [email protected].

02/19/2019

The CIC has received reports from incarcerated residents at CTF and CDF that they have been receiving daily access to outdoor recreation since Tuesday, 2/12.

The CIC looks forward to working with the DOC and collecting more information during our upcoming inspection on 2/25 and 2/26. If you have any additional information, please contact us at (202) 478-9211. All identifying information received is kept confidential.

02/15/2019

Inspection Announcement: DOC Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) & Central Detention Facility (CDF) | cic

The CIC will be touring the DOC Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) and Central Detention Facility (CDF) on 2/25 and 2/26, respectively, to distribute voluntary surveys to residents and provide the opportunity for interested individuals to speak confidentially with the CIC about their experiences and access to outdoor recreation. The CIC will follow-up the tour and interviews with a document request and release a thematic report on access to outdoor recreation in DOC facilities.

https://cic.dc.gov/release/inspection-announcement-doc-correctional-treatment-facility-ctf-central-detention-facility

The CIC will be touring the DOC Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) and Central Detention Facility (CDF) on the dates listed below to distribute voluntary surveys to residents and provide the opportunity for interested individuals to speak confidentially with the CIC about their experiences and ac...

02/13/2019

If you know any residents currently at CTF or CDF who are there, or have been there, and have not had access to outside recreation at least in the past year, please encourage them to reach out to the CIC. All identifying information received is kept confidential.

02/11/2019

IRAA Inmates in DOC Custody | cic

The CIC published its Thematic Report, IRAA Inmates in DOC Custody, with DOC's response attached. The report highlights the concerns regarding the conditions of confinement received from individuals in DOC petitioning a resentencing hearing under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA). Individuals primarily reported concerns about safety at CDF & being placed in vulnerable positions because of the unique factors considered under IRAA, a mindset difference between those who have served over 20 years in prison as opposed to those just entering into a jail system, and limited access to programming and reentry services in CDF. As a result of the CIC findings, the CIC recommends all individuals in DOC custody who have a pending IRAA hearing should be placed in CTF. Furthermore, the CIC wishes to coordinate a quarterly education session for all IRAA individuals in order to provide updates, answer any questions, and connect individuals with resources specific to their needs.

The CIC looks forward to working closely with DOC to improve the conditions for IRAA individuals to ensure a smooth transition back to society.

https://cic.dc.gov/node/1384136

This is the CIC's Thematic Report, "IRAA Inmates in DOC Custody", with DOC's response attached. The report highlights the concerns regarding the conditions of confinement received from individuals in DOC petitioning a resentencing hearing under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA). The C...

02/05/2019

cic.dc.gov

The CIC has released its 2018 Annual Report. In FY18, the CIC created a new Liaison position to communicate direct concerns to DOC & BOP.

Read our report online here: https://t.co/rBW8MnpeaD

12/31/2018

Will you be at our Open Meeting?

12/31/2018

Local prison union speaks out about government shutdown

Local prison union speaks out about government shutdown

A memo sent from the Federal Bureau of Prisons allegedly informed employees that they will not receive holiday pay for days already worked earlier in the week.

12/28/2018

'Changing The Mindset': Female Inmates In Training For A Life After Prison

'Changing The Mindset': Female Inmates In Training For A Life After Prison

It is difficult to find work if you've been incarcerated. Outside Seattle, one women's prison is trying to give inmates a better chance by training some of them for non-traditional jobs.

12/28/2018

Can Prisons Find Alternatives to Solitary?

Can Prisons Find Alternatives to Solitary? https://buff.ly/2Cx3WCM via @thecrimereport

A pilot program in Virginia led to a reduction in the number of individuals held in restrictive housing between 2016 and 2018, and offers some lessons in how correctional authorities can re-think the use of solitary confinement for inmates, according to a Vera Institute study.

12/27/2018

New Bill Aims To Make Sure Incarcerated People Know And Can Use Their Voting Rights

"It’s real basic constitutional rights 101,” said Rep. Gwen Moore, the bill's sponsor. https://buff.ly/2T69nOG via @HuffPostPol

"It’s real basic constitutional rights 101,” said Rep. Gwen Moore, the legislation's sponsor.

12/27/2018

Planned D.C. halfway house loses lease after resident concerns about housing former prisoners

Planned D.C. halfway house loses lease after resident concerns about housing former prisoners https://wapo.st/2EBDnxS?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.f3f52d2a5864

The future of the 300-bed facility, once slated to open on New York Avenue, is uncertain.

12/26/2018

The First Step Act Could Be a Big Gift to CoreCivic and the Private Prison Industry

The First Step Act could be a big gift to CoreCivic and the private prison industry

As people continue to die inside CoreCivic’s prisons, the First Step Act opens opportunities for the company to keep profiting from incarceration.

12/26/2018

New law allows prison employees to store personal firearms at work

https://buff.ly/2EKXrxH | New law allows prison employees to store personal firearms at work

The passage of a new law permitting corrections employees to store personal firearms at work will improve their safety, said a U.S. Penitentiary at Allenwood union representative.

12/24/2018

The Senate Actually Passed a Juvenile Justice Reform Bill This Week

The Senate Actually Passed a Juvenile Justice Reform Bill https://buff.ly/2EGcHfv via @MarshallProj

President Trump is expected to sign the legislation, which would ban states from holding children in adult jails.

12/24/2018

Planned D.C. halfway house loses lease after resident concerns about housing former prisoners

Planned D.C. halfway house loses lease after resident concerns about housing former prisoners

The future of the 300-bed facility, once slated to open on New York Avenue, is uncertain.

12/21/2018

Women Often Can’t Afford Tampons, Pads In Federal Prisons. That’s About To Change.

“Just because you’re incarcerated doesn’t mean your human dignity should be taken away." https://buff.ly/2UWkfQO via @HuffPostBiz

The new justice bill would require U.S. prisons to give menstrual hygiene products to inmates for free.

12/21/2018

DC Department of Corrections

The new Video Visitation Center (VVC) is NOW OPEN. The VVC is located behind the Correctional Treatment Facility (1901 E. Street, SE Washington, DC 20009), on the ground level of The READY Center.

All visits will continue to be scheduled via the Internet or by calling 1 (888) 906-6394 or (202) 442-6155 (Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am-5 pm).

12/19/2018

Criminal justice bill clears hurdle in the Senate on strong bipartisan vote

Criminal justice bill clears hurdle in the Senate on strong bipartisan vote https://wapo.st/2ExBFOZ?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.e99b0da3d464

The Senate could cast a final vote Tuesday on the Trump-backed legislation that would overhaul the federal prison system to help inmates earn reduced sentences.

12/18/2018

Now Released, DiMasi Talks About 'Inhumane' Treatment In Prison

Now Released, DiMasi Talks About 'Inhumane' Treatment In Prison via @WBUR

The former Massachusetts House speaker says his time in prison battling cancer has turned him into an advocate for those behind bars -- especially those who are sick.

12/17/2018

Investigation into inmate's suicide faults Maryland women's prison's treatment of people with disabilities

Investigation into inmate's suicide faults Maryland women's prison's treatment of people with disabilities

An investigation into Maryland’s only prison for women following the 2017 suicide of an inmate found the facility violated the constitutional rights of individuals with disabilities who are placed in segregation and did not take sufficient steps to “prevent future harm.”

12/14/2018

How Incarcerated Parents Are Losing Their Children Forever

How Incarcerated Parents Are Losing Their Children Forever https://buff.ly/2Lf3GeB via @MarshallProj

Being stripped of parental rights while in prison, even for minor crimes, is “the family separation crisis that no one knows about,” one advocate said.

12/14/2018

States of Incarceration: The Global Context 2018

Graph compares U.S. state incarceration rates to 166 countries around the world: https://buff.ly/2JwefLC via @prisonpolicy

Criminal justice policy in every region of the United States is out of step with the rest of the world.

12/13/2018

Danbury Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Inmate

Danbury Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Inmate https://buff.ly/2rBuM6u via @nbcconnecticut

A former correctional officer has plead guilty to sexually abusing an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury.

12/13/2018

Incarcerated People Remain Vulnerable to the Worst Ravages of a Warming World

Daniel Holt, the legal scholar who has studied heat in prisons, says that climate has not historically been a consideration in prison design. “When correctional facilities were built, the number one consideration was security. Everything else took the back seat.” Read here:

Harsh conditions inside U.S. prisons and jails have led to growing concerns about the unsustainability and climate vulnerability of mass incarceration.

12/12/2018

Almost half of U.S. adults have seen a family member jailed, study shows

Almost half of U.S. adults have seen a family member jailed, study shows

The high rate of incarceration in America has an impact on families too, a new report by a justice reform group found.