Rep. Troy E. Nehls Conducts Oversight Visit of DC Jail
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) toured the D.C. Central Detention Facility, where over 20 defendants are currently being held for their participation in the events of January 6, 2021. There, Congressman Nehls had the opportunity to visit with the January 6 inmates to better understand the jail conditions amidst reports of unsanitary conditions, violence, and other alarming reports.
Most concerning to Congressman Nehls were the inmate's reports of a broken grievance system and their inability to conduct video visitation with family members.
"After four months and dozens of requests, I was able to have a productive visit to the D.C. jail today. Having run a jail in Texas for eight years, I know how it is supposed to work, and I was thankful for the opportunity to speak candidly with the January 6 inmates," said Congressman Nehls. "I've said time and time again, I am not here to defend anyone who assaulted a law enforcement officer, but every inmate deserves due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. Today, I learned that these inmates have not been able to visit with their families for almost two years, in-person or over the video, while others in the jail are able to. As a former sheriff, I find this to be unacceptable. It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done, you should be able to talk to your family. I will work to ensure these men have video visitation and a dependable, effective grievance system. I will also be requesting officer bodycam footage of some of the violent acts I learned about. If some of the allegations I've heard today are true, the Republican House must hold those responsible accountable in the 118th Congress."
Congressman Nehls plans to submit several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for video camera footage regarding reports of violence, as well as medical records, disciplinary reports, and other critical pieces of information.