May 04, 2020

Manchin Statement On First COVID-19 Case At FCI Gilmer

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the first positive COVID-19 case at FCI Gilmer after the transfer of new out-of-state prisoners to the facility.

“When the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) announced their plans to send additional inmates to facilities in Glenville and Hazelton this was what we feared would happen. This reckless decision on the part of BOP has endangered our hardworking correctional officers and their families, the entire community and the other inmates in the facility. I have asked BOP to conduct a thorough investigation and am awaiting the results of that investigation. I hope this will deter the BOP from transferring additional out-of-state inmates to West Virginia,” Senator Manchin said.

Senator Manchin’s efforts to halt these transfers are outlined below:

·         On April 28, 2020, Senator Manchin raised concerns about the transfer of new out-of-state inmates to the FCC Hazelton and FCI Gilmer facilities in West Virginia on a call with U.S. Attorney General William Barr.

·         On April 25, 2020, Senator Manchin urged U.S. Attorney General (AG) William Barr to immediately halt plans to send new out-of-state inmates from COVID-19 hotspot regions to FCC Hazelton and FCI Gilmer to quarantine.

·         On April 25, 2020, Senator Manchin strongly opposed the transfer of new out-of-state prisoners to FCC Hazelton and FCI Gilmer to quarantine.