Yesterday morning, the director of the Board of Prisons, Collette Peters, made a surprise visit to Morgantown to publicly announce the closure (or what is formally known as “deactivation”) of stand-alone prison camps, which includes Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Morgantown, Pensacola, and Montgomery. Preparations for this announcement were kept highly confidential and secret even from local prison officials. The news of FPC Morgantown closing sparked a fury of questions. The biggest question was “Why”? In efforts to consolidate these stand-alone camps with satellite camps (aka camps that support higher security facilities), the BOP is hoping to reduce operational funds and tackle staffing shortages. Certainly, a consolidation of resources makes sense (Elon and Ramaswamy would be proud), but the timing is less than desirable for a huge policy change on the cusp of a second Trump-era. Thus, lawmakers have criticized this announcement and the lack of critical dialogues that are supposed to occur before any finality.
Staff and inmates have expressed mixed emotions about the news: excitement, concern, bewilderment, indifference. While staff were offered available positions at the Hazelton Complex (a maximum penitentiary, medium prison, and a satellite camp), the status of each inmate has yet to be revealed. Much news coverage has speculated that inmates will be transferred to other locations, like Hazelton, within the next 2 to 6 months. Contrary to the news, rumblings have hinted that the transfers could begin as soon as next week. Earlier in the summer, Hazelton satellite camp needed about 30 inmates to help with daily operations. Within the week of this news and with a days notice to plan, 30 inmates from Morgantown were bussed to Hazelton. While the circumstances are different, the transfer happened very fast.
For me, I am happy at FPC Morgantown, but I understand the political and economical whims of this situation. I will have to be placed in a program that offers rehabilitative programming that I am currently waiting to complete. This type of programming is not offered at all prisons, due to staff shortages. From my best guess, FCI Cumberland in Maryland seems the most logical since it is closer to DC and offers rehabilitative programming. Other locations will be much further from DC and Cleveland. Due to security restrictions, notices of transfers and locations are withheld, even while in transit to a new location. Thus, I “will not know the time or place” of my transfer, which keeps me on edge but ready.
At this time, I have very little information about any other details regarding this closure (I mean deactivation) of FPC Morgantown. I do know that many inmates are concerned with the unknowns, as well as the staff, which breeds an atmosphere of rumors. When I learn of any new information, I will certainly share it. As always, I appreciate all the support and ongoing encouragement that you show me. I hope you have a wonderful week and continue to be mindful of any little miracle in your daily life 🙂