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Gonzales: Supermax safe. Union: Skeptical.
February 22, 2007 11:08 AM
Supermax is safe and security is getting better. That’s the message from U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who visited the federal lockup in Fremont County Wednesday, Feb. 21. But a guard’s union says fixes are just masking a bigger nationwide problem.
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KRCC NEWS DIRECTOR ERIC WHITNEY: Supermax is home to some of the worst of the worst in the nation. Like Ted Kaczynski, and al-Qaida conspirator Zacharias Moussaoui.
Last year the union for the officers that guards them charged that staffing cuts had rendered the facility dangerous. A federal arbitrator agreed. This came at the same time that separate federal investigations found convicted terrorists and gang leaders whose phone calls and mail went unscreened.
Attorney General Gonzales was pressured by Colorado’s Senators to act. His hour-long visit to Supermax was more symbolic than an inspection. But he said he could tell that the 30 new officers the facility hired were helping.
GONZALES: We learned that there have been steps taken, there has been additional staffing.
WHITNEY: But John Gauge, president of the National Federation of Government Employees, who represents correctional officers, says Gonzales’ actions are only putting a bright façade on an agency reeling from staff cuts across the country.
GAUGE: We want really a comprehensive look at the Bureau of Prisons and what’s going on there.
WHITNEY: Colorado’s senators, who accompanied Gonzales on the tour said they’re satisfied with security improvements for the most part, but will follow up with hearings in the future. Improvements included hiring more translators, but Gonzales says more are still needed.
Posted by Eric Whitney on February 22, 2007 11:08 AM | Permalink
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