Published on: Tuesday, February 8, 2022

A nationwide lockdown of federal prisons that went into effect early last week due to violence at a Texas facility is coming to an end (article available here).

The agency imposed a nationwide lockdown amid fears that violence could break out at other facilities due to retaliation over those killed in the fight reportedly involving gang members.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons said it will “return select facilities to the appropriate modified operational status.” "[T]he decision to secure all Bureau of Prisons (BOP) institutions was intended to be a short term measure made in an abundance of caution to ensure safety and security within our facilities," the agency stated.

"On Monday, February 7, 2022, after gathering and monitoring intelligence, the BOP made a determination to return select facilities to the appropriate modified operational status," it added. "As part of a tiered response, additional facilities will return to the appropriate operational status as intelligence permits."

An official told The Washington Post, which first reported that the lockdown was lifting, that 30 facilities will come out of lockdown first and restrictions at other facilities will be reduced after it is determined to be safe.