In a letter sent April 15 to Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and U.S. Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein made a series of requests to the director in an effort to get a rapidly spiraling outbreak at the Lompoc federal prison under control.
As of April 15, Santa Barbara County Public Health reported that 68 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19, as well as 25 staff members. These numbers give the U.S. Penitentiary in Lompoc the highest infection rate of all Bureau of Prisons facilities in the nation, the letter stated.
Requests made by the California elected officials include “granting the request to establish, staff and operate a 50-bed mobile hospital from the Lompoc United States Penitentiary (USP) in California and providing the staff members with the adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessities to ensure their safety,” the letter stated. “This is in addition to filling the current medical and other prison staffing levels at this facility which are currently at 68 percent and 80 percent respectively.”
At the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department’s April 15 virtual press conference, county Public Health Department Director Dr. Van Do Reynoso said that the Lompoc USP is currently working to “stand up a field hospital within the prison grounds.” She also said that prison leadership is in contract negotiations with a private health care provider to operate the field hospital once it is ready. The field hospital will start with 11 beds with the intention of growing it to a 100 bed capacity, Do Reynoso said.
Bureau of Prisons’ most recent data, which is updated on a weekly basis, shows that 1,487 total inmates are confined in Lompoc’s prison. With 68 inmates having tested positive as of April 15, that brings the inmate infection rate to 4.5 percent.
The first day that the Public Health Department reported infected incarcerated people as a separate figure from the Lompoc area’s general count was on April 8 at 30 inmate cases. Since then, the number of new cases per day has increased by more than five on average, with April 13 to 14 being the highest jump at 13 additional inmate cases—from 54 to 67. County Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg said at the April 15 virtual press conference that the Lompoc prison outbreak remains the only congregated living space outbreak so far in Santa Barbara County. Thirteen inmates are hospitalized at the Lompoc Valley Medical Center as of April 15, and two are in the intensive care unit.
This article appears in Apr 9-19, 2020.
In regards to Covid good response. But what about the lack of regular care for routine medical treatment for chronic conditions for inmates? My brother Jimmy Mclain Moore #24763-111 has been in Lompoc Medium Security Federal Penitentiary for less then one year. I am a retired FNP and it took me contacting the Carvejal Santa Barbara office before my brother was seen for complaints of chest pain, difficulty breathing and generalized body swelling. He was diagnosed as having seasonal allergies and he was ordered an inhaler and sent to his bunk. Upon return for worsening chest pain and difficulty breathing his blood pressure of 191/101 was treated with two medications which had no effect then he was given sublingual nitroglycerin then told to return to work. He called me out of desperation saying he had chest pain and I could hear his labored breathing over the phone. I finally reached an office in San Jose and spoke to someone who contacted Warden Rodriguez directly. My brother was transferred to the community hospital where he stayed for one week. Diagnosed with hypertension, double pneumonia and new onset congestive heart failure. Weeks later on 6 meds (they couldn’t get the 7 th one) I learned he was getting a water pill with no labs and no follow up and no potassium. He called again but b/p was 77/58. Again I am appalled at the lack of care and follow up. The Santa Barbara office attorney wrote a letter to get treatment. However I was told by person I won’t name that when a blood pressure problem came up again now I cannot call because I am not a resident of Santa Barbara. So what do you suggest I tell my brother who called me last week and this morning saying my blood pressure top number was over 200 & my bottom number was over 100 yesterday and the day before. They gave me 40mg twice of a med and it wasn’t coming down. They restarted my Amlodapine but I had the worst headache I’ve ever had. Any medical professional knows what that indicates-potential stroke. So how do you think Prisoners will do with Covid? Guaranteed with subpar care more casualties and more cases. I have contacted the BOP Health Director, the County of Santa Barbara Health Department, made calls to the prison (where a deputy told me she was a volunteer and had driven 4 hours to help out so I should understand the problem and every prisoner was getting a temp check daily so I should not worry.” My brother does not lie to me and my husband is an ill 100% Disabled Veteran. He doesn’t ask for help unless he is desperate. Portal emails DO NOT WORK! I have documents from July from Warden Rodriguez and from the clinic demonstrating negligence. Who does this to human beings who are unable to advocate or get medical help? Jimmy is a non-violent offender with an appeal pending . He was primary provider for my 79 year old mother who has has a right sided stroke and he also cared for her 86 year old husband. This is unacceptable. It is equally egregious when Jimmy is in the clinic and told by a staff member o”oh, don’t you know we document you are seen every Wednesday?” However only for temperatures because of covid. He has begged people walking by with a blood pressure machine to check his blood pressure but they answer no or say nothing. My brothers response to this calloused staff member was quite appropriate. He reportedly said,”if you cannot treat my hypertension you are required to send me to where I can receive treatment.” But no he was sent back to his bunk. I instructed him to lie flat as much as possible and I would try to get him help. I sincerely hope someone reads this and can get him help. I just hope to hear my brothers voice. I traveled 4,000 miles (driving) to see him but I Sam sure the warden had my email name down for my legal name. No other way that would happen so no one “in authority, who would give their name” would permit me to visit. Even though exceptions are to be made as appropriate. I have a DOD identification, gun permit registration and am a licensed health care worker. Really Lompoc?