Stauber Letter Calls on the Federal Bureau of Prisons Director to Reverse Decision to Close the Prison Camp in Duluth

December 18, 2024
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) sent a letter to Colette Peters, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP), criticizing her decision to close the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) in Duluth and outlining the reasons why the closure of this prison is misguided. Stauber’s letter, which follows a phone call he had with Director Peters, calls on the FBOP to reverse this decision. 

“The FBOP’s decision to close the Prison Camp in Duluth seems quite misguided. The motives behind this decision do not appear to be reasonable or sound and I am disappointed by the way the announcement was rolled out. To inform the employees they would be out of the job through an impersonal letter right before Christmas is far too insensitive. I will work with the incoming Trump Administration to reverse this closure, and in the meantime, I urge current FBOP leadership to reconsider their decision.”

In Stauber’s letter, he highlights the following: 

  • The FBOP points to failing infrastructure as a justification behind the closure, but a staff member with FBOP told the Congressman’s office that they had not received any Occupational Safety and Health Department warnings about insufficient infrastructure at this location. 
  • FBC Duluth employees were told they will be able to relocate to the Federal Correctional Institution in Sandstone, MN, yet this institution is not short staffed and will likely be able to take on only 15 of the approximately 90 employees from FPC Duluth.
  • The decision to close FPC Duluth violated contractual obligations with union employees. 
  • Budgetary concerns were also listed as a reason for the FPC Duluth closure, but cutting unnecessary administrative costs at Washington, DC headquarters would be a better option to save taxpayer money.

Stauber had a call with Director Peters last week, where he voiced his concerns and announced his intention to fight this decision.

Read the full letter HERE.

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