Over the objection of several Senators from the Northeast, the Federal Bureau of Prisons Monday planned to resume the transfers of all female inmates out of the Danbury Federal Correctional Facility.  The plan was delayed over the summer.  Senator Richard Blumenthal is seeking a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to reverse the plan.

A person answering phones at the Danbury facility would not comment on the transfers, referring calls to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  Phones in Washington went unanswered due to the government shutdown.

Senator Chris Murphy said the Department of Justice informed his office on Monday they would not proceed as planned, due to the shutdown.

Danbury FCI is being converted back into a men’s prison, citing a need for more minimum-security beds for male prisoners. 

The 1,100 female inmates are being transferred to Alabama. Blumenthal is concerned the remote, rural location would make it more difficult for families to visit.  He says children who can't visit with their parents are more likely to follow in their footsteps and commit criminal activities.

Blumenthal called the transfers unfair and unwise.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Charles Samuels recently said 348 inmates from the Northeast or Middle Atlantic States could instead be transferred to a West Virginia prison, a Philadelphia detention facility or the lower-security camp at Danbury.