Watchdog report paints picture of Bureau of Prisons in crisis

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Bureau of Prisons reveals FBI is investigating if 'criminal enterprise' played role in Epstein's death

New information on the investigation into the death of Jeffrey Epstein is revealed on Capitol Hill.

A damning report from the Department of Justice Inspector General finds that "recurring policy violations and operational failures contributed to inmate suicides" in federal prisons. 

The report looked at the years from 2014 through 2021 and found that of the 344 deaths reviewed just over half were death by suicide.

The report was triggered, in part, by the "high-profile deaths at BOP institutions, such as the homicide of James ‘Whitey’ Bulger in 2018 and the suicide of Jeffrey Epstein in 2019."

The 344 deaths identified fell into one of four categories: 1) suicide, 2) homicide, 3) accident, and 4) unknown factors. The report found "a combination of recurring policy violations and operational failures [within BOP] contributed to inmate suicides."

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An example of contraband confiscated at BOP institutions. This is a metal knife found at FCI Hazelton.  (Office of the Inspector General)

More than half of the inmates who died by suicide were single-celled, or housed in a cell alone, which increases inmate suicide risk.  

The report also found that BOP’s staff response to emergencies, "was often insufficient due to lack of clear communication, urgency, or proper equipment."

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An example of contraband seized at BOP institutions. This is a plastic knife found at FTC Oklahoma City. (Office of the Inspector General)

Many of the deaths are attributable to drugs and IG Michael Horowitz’ report points out that in many instances cell searches are failing. The IG highlights one instance of an inmate suicide by drug overdose, "a property search of the cell following the inmate’s death revealed that the inmate had amassed over 1,000 pills."

The report also reveals that inmates are receiving illicit drugs through a variety of manners, including drones, which the BOP is still trying to combat by implementing "counter drone initiatives."

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Images from the DOJ’s Office of Inspector General’s full report titled "Investigation and Review of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Custody, Care, and Supervision of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York", released to the public on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. (U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General)

Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters released a lengthy response calling any unexpected death, "tragic," while adding, "we have already taken many steps to mitigate these deaths, and we welcome the OIG’s recommendations as a way to further our efforts." Peters is the 8th Director of BOP in just over 10 years. 

The report acknowledges that BOP faces "many challenges," but also highlights "several areas in which BOP’s actions have not been sufficient."

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The previous director of the Bureau of Prisons, Michael D. Carvajal, resigned in 2022 amid reports of widespread corruption in the federal prison system. 

His departure came months after the Associated Press reported that the Bureau of Prisons "is a hotbed of abuse, graft and corruption, and has turned a blind eye to employees accused of misconduct." More than 100 BOP workers have been arrested, convicted, or sentenced for crimes since 2019, with one warden being charged with sexual abuse of an inmate. 

Fox News Digital's Jon Brown and the Associated Press contributed to this report.