(BOP) - In October 2018, Hurricane Michael caused major damage to the Southeast region of the United States, including FCI Marianna. Thankfully, there were no injuries to staff or inmates as a result of the storm, but there was extensive physical damage to the institution and surrounding area. Most of the institution fencing was damaged and needed to be entirely replaced. Every building had roof damage, and in some places, the roof was completely destroyed. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, despite many staff having to address their own personal property damage and adversities, the Marianna staff ensured institution operations were carried out. Within three days after the storm made landfall, more than 1200 inmates were safely evacuated from the facility. Since then, a small cadre of less than 100 Camp inmates has returned to assist with recovery and reactivation efforts.
Marianna staff remain hard at work on a variety of projects required to reactivate the facility to its full operational capacity. Great progress on restoring the facility to operation has been made. Approximately 1600 feet of trees and debris has been cleared and staff are working tirelessly to finish the repairs to all roofs within the institution. Staff are working throughout the institution to complete projects including the installation of camera systems, new light fixtures, and new fencing; the repair of the sprinkler system, the installation of a new drain outside the Special Housing Unit (SHU) building and the removal and replacement of damaged floor tile. Many projects have been completed, or are nearing completion, including renovations to the training building and the restoration of housing units.
Recovery efforts aimed at reactivation continue despite the current COVID-19 health crisis. Due to the large scale efforts underway, FCI Marianna established a separate planning section team and command center to specifically address COVID-19. Marianna staff are working together strategically, while observing social distancing, in order to complete the remaining renovations.
The staff at FCI Marianna continue to model correctional excellence while rebuilding the institution they consider to be "one of the finest in the BOP." Last month, when FCI Estill (another institution in the BOP's Southeast Region) was devastated by a tornado, Marianna staff did not hesitate to offer their experience and assistance. Despite being in the midst of their own recovery, members of Marianna's Reactivation Planning Section Team traveled to Estill to assist with the activation of their command center and rebuilding efforts.