The United States Marshals Service (USMS) and the District signed a “memorandum of understanding” to address poor conditions in DC jail that were revealed after a recent inspection, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser‘s office announced Wednesday, November 10.
The agreement details how both the city and the US Marshals can work together to improve the current conditions at the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) Central Detention Facility.
The Marshals Service recently transferred around 140 inmates from the DC jail to a federal penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, due to the findings of an unannounced inspection.
The inspection, which was first reported by The Washington Post, disclosed that inmates were kept in unsanitary living conditions and subjected to “systemic” mistreatment such as the denial of food and water as punishment. Inspectors interviewed 300 inmates out of more than 1,000 and found that the jail did not meet standards for correctional facilities.
“We all agree: everyone who is in our jail or under our supervised care should be treated humanely and have safe conditions,” Bowser said in a statement about the memorandum.
“We appreciate this collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service and are ready to utilize the necessary resources, both federal and local, to improve conditions and address any deficiencies at our DOC facilities.”
Bowser’s administration and the USMS will evaluate conditions at the DC jail in a collaborative effort to develop a plan to address the issues, according to the memorandum. The Marshals Service will regularly report on the jail’s progress on implementing required measures.
“My team is committed to supporting the efforts of the DOC and coordinating services across the whole of District government to implement all terms of the agreement and advance the conditions in both the CDF and CTF,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Chris Geldart.
Inmates to Be Moved Out of DC Jail Due to Concerning Conditions