The Federal Bureau of Prisons system is under lockdown for the first time in almost 25 years. The lockdown went into effect Monday.
The BOP said the move is a precautionary measure in light of nationwide George Floyd protests and not a response to events at its facilities. It said the order is meant to ensure staff and inmates at its 122 institutions are safe.
Bureau prisons were previously under a modified lockdown to promote social distancing and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. According to the bureau, more than 1,900 federal inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Over 70 have died.
But because of the recent protests across the country, the agency said it "is implementing an additional, temporary security measure."
In a statement, it said: "Our hope is that this security measure is short-lived and that inmates will be restored to limited movement in the very near future."
The BOP said it's monitoring the situation and that it will adjust as needed.
