Overview
- Director William K. Marshall III warned that falling debris in underground steam tunnels could strike steam lines, instantly cut heat and trigger a rapid evacuation.
- Officials said transfers will prioritize keeping people near their anticipated release locations while multiple placement options are evaluated across the system.
- Terminal Island, a low-security prison on the Los Angeles–Long Beach coast, houses roughly 1,000 male inmates and has been flagged for about $110 million in critical repairs over two decades.
- The Bureau of Prisons said decisions on whether and how to repair or reopen the facility will follow a further assessment once immediate safety measures are in place.
- The shutdown comes as the agency confronts a multibillion-dollar repair backlog and severe staffing shortages, issues highlighted in recent oversight and investigative reporting.