I understand and agree with the need to ensure the safety of inmates and staff at this complex and across the federal Bureau of Prisons. However, punishing EVERYONE for something that one or a few people do IS NOT the solution.
People like me take college classes and earn college degrees and participate in FSA programs and SHOULD NOT be punished for the misdeeds of others.
Collective punishment has occurred on multiple institutions on multiple occasions. The most recent case: At FCI Victorville II, someone allegedly fell out because of drugs, then when his entire unit was punished, committed suicide (he feared retaliation). Everyone lost their phone and email privileges as a result.
Below are two of the memos issued related to this incident, on Feb. 13, 2025:
NOTIFICATION TO THE INMATE POPULATION
FROM: C. Lepe, Complex Warden
SUBJECT: Increase in Illicit Activities/Contact Deletion
I have closely monitored the activities and the dynamics of each institution. There has been a drastic increase in the amount of coordinated contraband introduction via the telephone and email system…
Therefore, when anyone in any unit/institution uses narcotics or overdoses, etc., the entire unit will have their telephone numbers and email contacts deleted.
Each inmate will request the contact to be added back by utilizing the proper information as mentioned in the first paragraph. Only two contacts at a time will be approved.
FCC VICTORVILLE
NOTIFICATION TO THE INMATE POPULATION
Recently, there has been inmate-on-inmate physical assaults and staff assaults; furthermore, narcotics were found in several units and those individuals caught are being held accountable. (then WHY am I being held accountable for their actions?) In addition, AL unit was made aware of the contraband introduction memo sent on February 14, 2025, by Complex Warden Lepe.
FCI II Victorville has a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to inmates physically assaulting staff, and when it comes to inmates circumventing security procedures by introducing narcotics into a Correctional Facility. Therefore, security procedures are currently being reviewed as a result of the mentioned incidents. Effective immediately, the General Population commissary spending limit has been reduced to $72 biweekly and then will increase by $36 biweekly until it reaches normal spending limit.
This doesn’t have to be. When I was at FCI Gilmer in 2018, I was blessed to have an understanding Warden Jennifer Saad who listened and responded humanely to my complaint about constant group punishment imposed by one of the captains because of narcotics. She stopped locking us down as much and started sending more people to the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). That was a positive outcome, by addressing our needs.