D.C. Central Detention Facility, Washington, D.C.
April 22, 2018
Just after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 prisoners being held at the D.C. Central Detention Facility protested the conditions they were being held in due to COVID-19 lock down measures by refusing to remove their hands from the food slots and shouting at guards. One guard described the scene as an “entire jail unit in chaos.”
The prisoners had not be allowed to shower for more than 4 days and were barred use of phones to contact family and attorneys. The prisoners’ claims regarding their conditions were confirmed by observations made during an independent inspection conducted at the jail two weeks prior. Guards responded to the protest by deploying pepper spray on two of the prisoners who participated.
Citations:
“DC jail guards report ‘chaos’ inside as inmates protest COVID-19 lockdown”, MSN, April 23, 2020
“Hazards found inside DC jails during surprise inspections”, WUSA9, April 23, 2020
Article published: 05/07/20
Header photo source: WTOP News
