A letter from Amnesty International
«A white supremacist gang member warned him that he would be killed if he were placed into the general population of USP Lee» — Eric is on his way to USP Lee, and is expected to arrive tonight.
13 April 2022
Michael Carvajal
Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First St., NW
Washington, DC 20534
Dear Mr. Carvajal:
I am writing about Eric King, inmate number 27090-045, who is currently in the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.).
This is regarding his security designation and the risk of harm he faces should he be transferred to the high-security USP Lee in Pennington Gap, Virginia.
There are concerns that Eric King could be at risk of physical harm and violence if he were held in this facility.
There is an active threat against his life based on an interaction with a white supremacist gang member who warned him that he would be killed if he were placed into the general population of USP Lee.
This was reportedly documented at USP Lee from the time Eric King was briefly held in the segregation unit of that facility in 2019.
Additionally, Eric King was recently found not guilty on all counts at a trial in the U.S. District of Colorado after previously defending himself from an officer's violent attack while detained at FCI Florence.
He has had no pending charges and no disciplinary sanctions.
Despite this, his maximum management variable on his security is the only reason he can be transferred to a maximum-security facility. Approximately one week before being assaulted by a BOP officer which led to his recent acquittal, he was to be transferred to a low-security facility.
He is scheduled to be released in 2023 and intends to return to Colorado to live with his wife and his two children. It is especially pertinent for individuals close to release to be able to reintegrate into society after a lengthy sentence.
Transferring Eric King to a maximum-security facility across the country, far from his family and loved ones when he has such a short amount of time remaining on his sentence seems to be more retaliatory and punitive rather than necessary due to specific security concerns.
Under Rule 59 of the UN Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners,
"Prisoners shall be allocated, to the extent possible, to prisons close to their homes or their places of social rehabilitation."
The BOP must revisit the issues within Eric King's security profile which allow his eligibility to be at a maximum-security facility and the decision for him to be placed so far from where his family resides and where he intends to settle upon release.
Sincerely,
Justin Mazzola
Deputy Director of Research
Amnesty International USA1
Eric is on his way to USP Lee as we speak. Despite numerous objections, and several collectives’ interventions, he has been transferred, away from his family, into a high-security prison where there is an active threat to his life. As documented by Amnesty International USA, there is,
«an active threat against his life based on an interaction with a white supremacist gang member who warned him that he would be killed if he were placed into the general population of USP Lee»
Eric is expected to arrive at 2 a.m., within a few hours.
After that, we will not have access to the exterior world. He will not be given a toothbrush, a pencil, or the ability to make a phone call. His support team is unsure if his safety can be guaranteed. Given the clear white-supremacist threats, and the collusion by the judicial apparatus, one cannot guarantee he will survive.
Please, if within your concerns is listed the increased and uncontrolled retribution the State apparatus manifests against those it deems, arbitrarily, as targets; or feel concern for the life and safety of a kind anti-fascist person who is imprisoned for property damage, a victimless and political act, please refer to this list of resources as published by Eric’s support team.
CC: Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) |
Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Representative Cori Bush (D-MO)