Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-639-6405/202-374-6491
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MENDOTA, CALIF. – The union representing correctional officers at Federal Correctional Institution Mendota hosted a Congressional tour of the facility today following new reports of broken air conditioning and other maintenance and staffing issues that continue to plague the resource-strapped facility.
American Federation of Government Employees Local 1237 invited the local congressional delegation to tour the medium-security facility, which is under investigation by Congress and the Office of Special Counsel after a heat wave last summer exposed a broken air conditioning system and other unaddressed maintenance issues.
U.S. Rep. TJ Cox, whose district includes the prison, toured the facility along with staff from the offices of Senators Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein.
“From staffing to numerous maintenance issues that put both officers and inmates at risk, our union has been seeking assistance on these issues for over a year,” said AFGE Local 1237 President Aaron McGlothin. “We are grateful that Congressman Cox was able to personally tour the prison today, to meet staff firsthand and witness the hard work and dedication put forth protecting the community from violent offenders, and we thank Senators Harris and Feinstein for their support as well.”
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