Atwater prison employee dies after coming into contact with 'unknown substance'

ATWATER, Calif. -- A Federal Bureau of Prisons worker died aft coming into interaction with an chartless substance successful the message country astatine the U.S. penitentiary successful Atwater, California, according to a bureau spokesperson.

The worker began to consciousness unwell connected Friday aft coming into interaction with the substance and was rushed to the hospital, wherever helium was pronounced dead, according to the BOP. A 2nd worker came into interaction with the substance, was observed astatine the infirmary and released.

"Our hearts are dense arsenic we widen our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of our fallen Bureau employee," a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson said. "Out of respect for the family's privateness and the grief of our Bureau community, we person nary further details to stock astatine this time."

The Council of Prison Locals, the BOP's largest national that represents employees, has been advocating for much mailroom information measures, according to the Council President Brandy Moore-White.

A bill was introduced by Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebr., successful December 2023 that would necessitate the bureau to electronically scan each the message coming into the facilities. It is unclear what the procedures are now.

The measure has yet to marque it retired of the Judiciary Committee.