Staff Oppose Duluth Federal Prison Camp Closure

Prison camp staff object to closure of Duluth facility, site lack of warning

DULUTH, Minn. – Workers from Duluth’s Federal Prison Camp meet to discuss next steps, after the FBOP announced they will close or ‘deactivate’ multiple facilities across the country.

A flurry of emotions at tonight’s workers’ union meeting over what comes next, after being informed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons that Duluth’s camp will be among the facilities to either fully or mostly close its doors. Press releases by the FBOP stated that the “deactivation” of the Duluth prison camp is partly due to buildings that are “dilapidated” and “contaminated” with asbestos.

Prison staff at the meeting laughed at the description of the facility and said it was a deliberate mischaracterization. The focus of discussions was on job security, realistic options for inmates with specialized care needs, and for some staff who live in on-site housing, the uncertainties are multiplied.

FBOP said it intends to send most staff to a facility in Sandstone, roughly 60 miles from Duluth. Workers said that, even without the unreasonable drive, the Sandstone facility does not have enough job openings to employ everyone from the Duluth camp.

The workers said they plan to exercise all available options to reverse the FBOP decision or force them to the negotiating table.