UNION FOR FEDERAL PRISON OFFICERS ENDORSES U.S. REP. CHRIS CARNEY (D-PA)

Carney Seeks Re-election in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District

WASHINGTON— The Council of Prison Locals (CPL) of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) today announced its support of U.S. Rep. Chris Carney’s (D-Pa.) bid for re-election in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District.

“Chris Carney’s record in Congress sets him apart from his opponent. Carney has been a friend of labor and a friend for all working families, especially federal correctional officers in Pennsylvania,” said Bryan Lowry, CPL president.

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Federal Prison Officers,” said Chris Carney.  Our law enforcement officers are committed to protecting our communities—their sacrifice is what keeps us safe and I thank them for their honorable service. I visited the U.S. Penitentiary Canaan in Wayne County and was impressed with the professionalism and diligence of our Federal Prison Officers. We have an obligation to keep our communities safe, this includes adequate funding and proper oversight in our federal prisons. Working together, I will fight to make sure this happens.”

“The Federal Bureau of Prisons is facing critical challenges because of understaffing and underfunding. This puts our hard-working federal correctional officers in a very dangerous situation,” said Lowry. “Chris Carney will continue to work in Congress to ensure federal correctional officers receive the resources necessary to perform their jobs and serve the public who rely on them to keep our federal prisons in Pennsylvania and surrounding communities safe.”

“AFGE’s Council of Prison Locals desire lawmakers who respect the value of federal employees and who will work in Congress to ensure they have the resources to fulfill their mission. Chris Carney is the candidate most qualified in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District,” added Lowry.

Bill Gillette, North East Regional Vice President, of the Council of Prison Locals represents the five federal prisons located within the 10th district added “Congressman Carney’s views on the issues along with his unfailing passion and approach to the protection of our law enforcement officers and our communities has been steadfast.”   “Congressman Carney’s firm understanding of the critical functions that are necessary to operate Federal Prisons and the importance of a well trained workforce with high standards are crucial for a strong America.”

CPL represents correctional officers at federal prisons, which house some of the nation’s most dangerous convicted criminals including gang members and terrorists. The union says serious inmate overcrowding and correctional worker understaffing such as that at the Florence, Colo. federal prison campus, which includes the ADX Supermax, plague the BOP system nationwide, and create hazardous conditions for federal prison inmates, federal correctional workers, and the communities in which they work.

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The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.