FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 26, 2022
Whistleblowers Detail to Senate Abuses at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Hears Testimony from Two Whistleblowers Retaliated Against After Reporting Shocking Conditions
WASHINGTON—At today’s hearing on Corruption, Abuse, and Misconduct at U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta held by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, two former USP-Atlanta managers provided detailed testimony about appalling conditions endangering the health and safety of staff, inmates, their families, and surrounding communities. Dr. Erika Ramirez and Terri Whitehead testified that their reporting contributed to federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) management’s decision to remove them through involuntarily transfers to “fix” what they reported.
Until the end of 2021, Dr. Ramirez was USP-Atlanta’s Chief Psychologist; Ms. Whitehead the institution’s Jail Administrator. Between them, they have more than 40 years’ experience.
Dr. Ramirez repeatedly reported ongoing and uncorrected gross mismanagement of suicide prevention practices which were allowing needless inmate suicides to happen. She testified about management post-mortem assessments on why suicide prevention efforts had again failed. Here is an example:
Once again this [assessment] revealed complacency, indifference, inattentiveness and lack of compliance with BOP policies and procedures. These lapses contribute to a dangerous and chaotic environment of hopelessness and helplessness.
Notwithstanding this devastating observation, little to nothing was done.
Ms. Whitehead testified about “The Atlanta Way.” That was the staff’s shorthand for refusing to follow orders and recommendations aimed at fixing the appalling status quo. It was also used as cover by bureaucrats. For instance, COVID-19 isolation and quarantine areas were not promptly set up because it was not the responsibility of the Health Services staff and rodent infestation problems were not addressed. In July 2021, over 700 cell phones along with large quantities of additional contraband and drugs were discovered during searches.
USP-Atlanta has a staff of about 425. BOP management’s response was to tell 44 managers in August 2021, including Dr. Ramirez and Ms. Whitehead, that they were to be transferred by year’s end to institutions distant from Atlanta. Ms. Whitehead opted for early retirement (she then had no plans to leave) and Dr. Ramirez was sent to Texas, which has cost her and her family over $250,000 (she has yet to be reimbursed).
Dr. Ramirez and Ms. Whitehead are represented by Government Accountability Project. David Z. Seide, Counsel at Government Accountability Project, said,
Our clients reported shocking conditions at the Atlanta federal prison. For their efforts, they were rewarded with take it or leave it transfers, staining their reputations and hurting their families. That is wrong and illegal as federal whistleblower laws prohibit this kind of retaliation.
Contact: Andrew Harman, Government Accountability Project Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202.926.3304
Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.
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