Inmates, family members and nonprofit advocacy organizations have alleged prolonged and ongoing lockdowns, inadequate medical care and staff misconduct at FCI McKean, describing conditions they say violate Bureau of Prisons policy and basic human rights.
Letters from incarcerated men, family emails and nonprofit advocacy reports received by The Era detail claims that inmates spend the majority of days confined to cells, often with limited access to showers, phones or programming. One inmate wrote that since April, McKean has been locked down 149 of 228 days — more than 65% of the time.
According to inmate accounts, complaints range from spoiled food and moldy showers to discriminatory staff behavior. Inmates allege officers routinely use slurs, restrict seating in the dining hall and refuse to hire certain types of offenders for work details. Others claim legal mail is copied or discarded, remedy forms are withheld during lockdowns and medical and dental care is delayed for months or years.
In December 2024, FCI McKean officials reported the death of 40-year-old Joseph Duncil — the second such report from the Lewis Run facility in less than 90 days as Tezmonta Evans, 34, was found deceased in mid-September. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified of both instances.
At the time of Evans’ death, The Era contacted prison officials regarding several messages received by the newsroom alleging ongoing issues at FCI McKean, including a lockdown of more than 40 days and limited showers, outdoor time or commissary access; inadequate or denied access to medical care; and no access to programs, books and magazines or communication with lawyers.
Family members continue to echo those concerns, saying loved ones have gone weeks without phone calls, showers or access to counselors. One relative wrote that inmates “are being treated as though they have no rights,” with paperwork for halfway house placement left unprocessed and visitation conditions described as harsh and demeaning.
Advocacy groups have also taken notice. The Dream Builders Foundation called the situation “systemic neglect and abuse,” citing lockdowns lasting more than 40 consecutive days, denial of medical care and disruption of family communication.
“This is not rehabilitation. This is systemic neglect and abuse,” co-founder Ebony Ross-Stover wrote in a letter urging federal oversight.
Inmate testimony further describes unsafe work conditions, including a serious injury when a man’s thumb was crushed in a hydraulic press. He alleges he was pressured to sign pre-filled accident reports and denied follow-up care for nearly a year.
According to inmate letters and reports:
- 65.35% — Days locked down since April (149 of 228)
- 25% — Times linens were changed (8 of 32 possible)
- 14.81% — Christian religious services held since May (4 of 27 possible)
- 12.96% — Unit Team open houses since September (7 of 54 possible)
- 39.34% — Days milk was served with breakfast in September and October (24 of 61 possible)
- 2-plus years — Time some inmates report waiting for dental checkups
- 40-plus days — Length of some lockdowns described by families and advocates
- Four phones per unit — For roughly 120 inmates, fueling fights and further lockdowns