Another Kind of Prison Torture

According to a letter yesterday from Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), the Justice Department's Federal Bureau of Prisons has refused to help a security officer whose life has been threatened for blowing the whistle. Prison inmates at the facility where the officer works as well as individuals outside the government have threatened to kill or otherwise harm him. According to the letter:

In August, [NAME REDACTED] received a phone call from Brooklyn, New York, from an individual who threatened his life as a result of his whistle-blowing activities. We understand that the FBI has apprehended this individual and confirmed that he had [NAME REDACTED]'s personal information in his possession.

Despite this, the Bureau of Prisons has refused to take steps to protect the employee from possible harm by relocating him to another facility where he would be less likely to be found and harmed. According to the Senators:

We do not understand why a transfer request would be denied under these circumstances..The repeated denials for a requested transfer raise serious questions about the appearance of whistleblower retaliation.

We believe that this issue may warrant further investigation, analysis, and Congressional oversight.

Even by the standards of these dark days when federal bureaucrats have free reign to retaliate against whistleblowers, this is one of the most extraordinary cases we have seen. Senators Grassley and Schumer deserve kudos for standing up for this whistleblower. Please send them a note of thanks on their web sites here and here. This kind of grueling work protecting whistleblowers never gets enough appreciation from the public.

Let the uncaring bureaucrats know that you are outraged about this case -- please send an email to Harley G. Lappin, Director of Federal Bureau of Prisons, his email is Hlappin@bop.gov, and post a copy here too if you'd like to share.

Comments

[Posted on: Sep 24, 2008 at 08:02 PM]

the department of justice treats most of it's employees, poorly - if you are an average,hard working, employee "you have nothing coming"

[Posted on: Dec 11, 2005 at 02:13 AM]

As an Arab American who love this country, I have watched the situation in this country goes from bad to worse, although I could be great help for my country I am hesitant to offer my help and join the FBI or the CIA becuase a story like this reinforce my mistrust in the current leadership about how to use and attract the tremoundeos help that Arab American can offer.

I am very happy to see that such an honrable Senator can take the stand and so what is right for a person who would give his life to his country, he has been threatened by extremist, he has been retaliated against by his superior because he was doing the right thing for his country, Please continue the good work and the convence the director of Bureau of Prison Mr. H. Lappan to order his subordinate to trasfere him immidiatly so he and his family can resume some normal life.

I have strong trust in your leadership and in your committment to do what is right in this case.

My utmost respect to Senator Schumer you and to Senator Grassly for doing the supporting this officer

G.

gus

[Posted on: Dec 11, 2005 at 01:49 AM]

for the last few years, I have been following this story with disbelieve, what does it take for people in leadership position to see the light, if we do not take care of our own who will, federal and local employees must be protected and when they have concerns about the sytem or about any issue, they should be treated fairly and it should be looking into it. I am affraid that the Bureau of Prisons have dropped the ball on this and they need immediatly to take the neccessary steps to correct this situation otherwise no one will trust the Government to help in case of crises. I strongly believe that the Bureau of Prisons should immediatly trasfer their employees when they are threaton or when the lives of thier families are in danger.

gus

[Posted on: Dec 09, 2005 at 03:44 PM]

We must protect whistleblower from this kind of treatment. The security of our country depend on them. I am glad POGO is taking the lead on this case.

Please place on your web site the results and what action the Justice Dept. will take

[Posted on: Dec 09, 2005 at 03:44 PM]

We must protect whistleblower from this kind of treatment. The security of our country depend on them. I am glad POGO is taking the lead on this case.

Please place on your web site the results and what action the Justice Dept. will take

[Posted on: Dec 08, 2005 at 07:21 PM]

The congressional community should order a congressional investigations

Bob

[Posted on: Dec 08, 2005 at 07:17 PM]

It is a terrible way to treat any Whistleblowr that way. The Dept of Justice should immediately investigate the reason why they don't transfer him. It a terrible day for our country when we allow Federal agencies to treat Federal employees that way when they tell the truth and protect the public. The Bureau of Prison official who is refusing to transfer the subject of the article should be fired.