DOJ Report Exposes Failures in Federal Prisons Leading to Hundreds of Deaths

A new investigation reveals systemic issues within the Bureau of Prisons, contributing to preventable inmate deaths over an eight-year period.

The Department of Justice's Inspector General found that operational and managerial deficiencies in the Bureau of Prisons led to 187 suicides among inmates from 2014 to 2021.
Failures in mental health assessments, emergency responses, and contraband detection were identified as key factors contributing to inmate deaths.
More than half of the inmates who died by suicide were in solitary confinement, highlighting the risks associated with single-cell housing.
The report recommends several changes, including improved mental health evaluations and training for prison staff on emergency equipment use.
The Bureau of Prisons acknowledges the need for improvements and has taken steps to address the issues outlined in the report.