Press Release: Norton Calls on Federal Bureau of Prisons to Ensure Hope Village Halfway House Residents Safe During the Coronavirus

News Release — DC Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton

March 27, 2020

Contact: Sharon Eliza Nichols

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal raising concerns about the conditions at Hope Village, the men’s residential reentry center (RRC), or halfway house, in the District of Columbia. Norton has heard several concerns regarding the safety of residents during the coronavirus.

“We must protect all our residents, including those in halfway houses, and ensure that they have the necessary supplies and protocols to keep them safe,” Norton said. “The Federal Bureau of Prisons and Hope Village must be held accountable to ensure that all of our residents are as safe as possible from the coronavirus.”

Norton’s letter follows:

March 27, 2020

Michael Carvajal

Director

Federal Bureau of Prisons

320 First Street NW

Washington, DC 20534

Dear Director Carvajal:

I write with urgent concern regarding Hope Village, the men’s halfway house in the District of Columbia. We understand that several residents of Hope Village have become sick, and the illness, perhaps the coronavirus, appears to be spreading from person to person. I further understand that several residents have been taken out in ambulances because of their conditions. We have also been informed that the facility may not be taking adequate steps to keep the facility clean and the residents sufficiently safe, including overcrowding in rooms and failure to provide hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of the virus. Families who would like to provide hand sanitizer to residents also apparently have been prohibited from doing so, despite a possible lack of hand sanitizer at the facility. While we respect the need to prevent visitors in the facilities, it is imperative that the residents have the necessary hand sanitizer to keep themselves safe from the coronavirus, even if this means families dropping the hand sanitizer off without visiting their loved one.

We were also told that residents are not allowed to practice social distancing, including in their rooms and when they eat, and that there may be a lack of water. We were further informed that when a resident became sick in a hallway, the area was not properly cleaned.

I have also been told by D.C. Councilmember Trayon White that he has not been able to visit the facility. Again, we recognize the importance of social distancing and not allowing individuals to come into the facility unless absolutely necessary to prevent potential further spread of the coronavirus. However, constituents have a right to see elected officials. I ask that you take the appropriate steps to allow Councilmember White, as an elected official, and other members of the D.C. Council as necessary to have direct access to residents, while taking whatever other steps, such as social distancing, you deem necessary.

We have also been informed that some residents are allowed to leave the facility to go to their jobs if they are essential employees, while others are not. However, the Mayor of the District of Columbia has declared a state of emergency, requiring employees to stay at home unless deemed essential by the D.C. government. If some Hope Village residents are going to work, please inform me if they have been deemed essential. I ask you to clarify the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) work policy for residents at halfway houses, as we have been told that inmates coming from the D.C. Department of Corrections are treated differently from those coming from BOP.

We were also told that an individual transitioning from male to female does not have access to medication. I ask that you allow this individual to take medication as soon as possible and inform my office accordingly.

Finally, I again ask you to waive subsistence fees for individuals in halfway houses. The fee is currently up to 25% of an individual’s income. Even under normal conditions, the loss of 25% of a resident’s paycheck is a significant hurdle to successful reentry. This is even more concerning now if residents of Hope Village are not allowed to go to work, even if they are considered essential employees. This issue, of course, is not unique to Hope Village. Please note that BOP has waived the fee for individuals on home confinement for many years, so it also should waive it for individuals in halfway houses.

I ask that you address this urgent public health matter, which could continue to impact both residents and staff, and that you respond in writing within three days, answering how you will address the concerns I have raised in this letter.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Cc: Jeffrey F. Varone, Chief Executive Officer, Hope Village

Cc: The Honorable Trayon White, Councilmember, Council of the District of Columbia