“There is no specific information that caused this decision,” the statement said. “This action is preventative and does not respond to any significant events occurring within our facilities.”
Security measures are being tightened ahead of Inauguration Day, with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies preparing for the possibility of more violence after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, killing five people, including a Capitol police officer.
Shane Fausey, president of the Council of Prison Locals, said in a statement to CNN that he supports the national exclusion.
“In consultation with the Prison Residents’ Council, and out of abundance of precaution, I can only applaud the leadership of the Federal Bureau of Prisons for initiating this national exclusion,” he said. “With the patience and support of the American people, I am confident that the Bureau of Prisons and our outstanding staff will resume normal operations.”
Prisoners will have limited access to telephones and email to stay in touch with their families, the BOP said. The agency added that they hope to remove the lockout after a short period of time and that operations will return to normal “as soon as possible”.