Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today asked the Director of Federal Prisons to launch an investigation into allegations that Lompoc Federal Prison has become increasingly dangerous.

These claims were made by the Administration Law Group, which represents the local union that includes correction officers at the prison. While Feinstein has no independent knowledge of the accuracy of the allegations, she believes that they are serious and merit further investigation.

In a letter to Harley Lappin, Director of Federal Prisons, Senator Feinstein wrote: "I would appreciate it if you could investigate allegations made in the attached October 16, 2003 letter from the Administrative Law Group, Inc. (ALG)....The ALG letter makes a number of serious allegations against the warden of the prison, Al Herrera. The most serious allegation is the following: 'Based on the Warden's policies the prison has become more and more dangerous. Most of the corrections officers feel that the prison is run by the inmates and not the corrections staff and do not have confidence in the Warden being able to correct the situation.'

According to this letter, 'Since the riot of June 1, 2003 (where three corrections officers were held hostage), over 1,000 incidents have happened and no corrective actions have been attempted by the BOP.' In a follow-up letter dated October 21, 2003-also attached-ALG asserts that a review of incident reports over the last 14 months shows 2 attempted killings, 48 serious assaults, and 203 assaults, as well as hundreds of other incidents. In addition, three correctional officers at Lompoc Federal Prison were apparently stabbed just a week ago.

I want to stress that I have no independent knowledge that any of the allegations made in the ALG letters are true. However, there is no question that ALG's allegations are very specific and extremely serious. I would greatly appreciate it if you could look into this matter promptly and respond in detail to me regarding each of ALG's allegations."

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