Trial date approved in Lompoc prison COVID-19 class-action lawsuit; second inspection authorized | Crime and Courts

As of February, more than 240 inmates had been vaccinated against COVID-19 while 151 inmates had refused the vaccine, according to Jason Christopher, an FCC paramedic from Lompoc, who added that at least 441 had been offered the vaccine.

In a ruling now included in the Lompoc case, a Connecticut federal judge recently denied the release of inmates who received or was offered the vaccine.

Officials with the Bureau of Prisons have announced their intention to ask a judge to make a final decision on the case, citing their own vaccination and containment efforts.

“Evidence that a defendant was offered the vaccine, whether or not they accepted it, shows they had the ability and opportunity to take action to reduce their risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 while to reduce his incarceration significantly, “reads the March 10 decision.

Plaintiffs were ordered to return to court on March 26 to provide data showing that Bureau of Prisons officials have placed obstacles to their home detention, according to court records.

Return epidemiologist to facility for second inspection

Dr. Homer Venters, an epidemiologist, will be returning to the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex no later than April 21.

On his first visit, Venters was sent to document the response to the outbreak at the FCI. He found that the inmates did not have timely access to medical care.

Marshall authorized the second visit to follow up on his first report after court records, despite objections from the Bureau of Prisons.