FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2010
September 13, 2010
Jason Fornicola
(202) 639-6448
(202) 639-6448
Union for Federal Prison Officers Rejects Agency's Claim on Stalled Medical Furlough Policy
WASHINGTON - The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and its Council of Prison Locals (CPL) strongly reject the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) claim that the union is responsible for the lack of implementation of a new policy regarding the handling of furloughed inmates for medical treatment. A recent Office of Inspector General (OIG) report revealed the current policy does not require BOP staff to notify victims and witnesses when an inmate is released on medical furlough.
“The agency’s claim that the union is responsible for an outdated policy is absurd,” said CPL President Bryan Lowry. “The agency hasn’t even talked to the union about the policy.”
In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder AFGE National President John Gage rejected BOP’s attempt to blame the union – and its collective bargaining agreement with the agency – for BOP’s failure to enact an appropriate furlough policy.
“The failure by BOP management officials to take responsibility for their own inaction to pursue this policy and their attempt to falsely blame the union for delaying this initiative is unconscionable,” said Gage. “I insist that the Justice Department investigate this matter and hold the officials responsible accountable for their actions.”
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