A criminal justice advocacy group alerted the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in February about a serious issue with synthetic marijuana within a federal women’s prison in Minnesota. Women were experiencing severe symptoms such as vomiting, hallucinations, and seizures after using the contraband drug.
Despite this warning, the response from the warden was minimal, with only a generic acknowledgment of the agency’s safety commitment.
Recently, at least seven women from the same prison were taken to a local hospital due to suspected drug overdoses. Reports from incarcerated women and attorneys describe chaotic, unsanitary, and violent conditions inside the prison due to widespread abuse of the dangerous drug.
A BOP spokesperson confirmed that seven incarcerated individuals exhibiting signs of drug use were sent to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. They were evaluated and returned on the same day.
The spokesperson emphasized the BOP’s commitment to ensuring the safety of both inmates and staff, as well as maintaining a secure and humane environment.
The situation at FCI Waseca, which houses around 900 women, reflects the broader issues of dysfunction and poor conditions within the federal prison system. Earlier this year, a women’s prison in California was closed due to rampant corruption and abuse by guards. Congress has also taken steps to address the oversight and accountability of the BOP following investigations into misconduct at other federal prison complexes.
The Biden administration appointed Colette Peters, a former Oregon prison system leader, to address the challenges facing the troubled agency in 2022.
One of the many problems plaguing the BOP is the prevalence of contraband drugs, with synthetic marijuana being a particular concern due to its cheapness, ease of smuggling, and lack of detection in routine screenings. The abuse of synthetic marijuana, known as “K2” or “spice,” is reported to be especially severe at FCI Waseca.
Catherine Sevcenko, from the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, has received numerous emails detailing the drug problem at FCI Waseca since December. The accounts paint a distressing picture of the effects of K2 abuse on inmates.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, synthetic marijuana can lead to various dangerous symptoms, including agitation, violent delusions, seizures, breathing issues, and heart problems.
Sevcenko warns that the failure to address the use of K2 at FCI Waseca may violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
Despite ongoing concerns, the prison’s response has been inadequate, with little action taken to address the widespread drug abuse within the facility.
Inmates at FCI Waseca describe a dire situation of chaos and danger, with multiple hospitalizations due to drug-related incidents. The scale of the issue, they claim, far exceeds the official reports provided by the BOP.
Holli Wrice, an incarcerated individual at FCI Waseca, paints a grim picture of the situation inside the prison, highlighting the urgent need for intervention to prevent further harm.
The Justice Department Office of the Inspector General conducted an inspection of FCI Waseca in May of last year, revealing troubling findings.
The report from the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General revealed that the prison is generally well-managed, with committed staff and an environment where both inmates and staff feel safe. However, the report also highlighted a significant challenge in controlling contraband, particularly drugs like synthetic cannabinoids and illegally obtained opioid medications. There were also serious facility issues such as leaky roofs and women being housed in basement cells next to leaking pipes.
An investigation is currently underway regarding recent incidents at FCI Waseca, according to a spokesperson from the Bureau of Prisons. Sevcenko expressed urgency for action, stating that the women at FCI Waseca cannot afford to wait any longer.
“A prison sentence should not equate to a death sentence,” she emphasized. “If the Bureau of Prisons does not take action promptly, lives will be lost.”
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