Sexual attacks on staff at USP Thomson

I am writing you regarding the request to remove Warden Thomas Bergami from his position immediately. Warden Bergami has failed within his position of trust and has placed the staff, inmates, and communities at risk. Thomas Bergami has failed to uphold the ethical rules governing his position and to conduct himself in a manner that fosters respect for the Bureau of Prisons.

In recent months we have had an abundance of serious incidents which place the Thomas Bergami leadership. Attempts to address these issues directly have gone unheeded and even to the extent of being covered up and/or distracted from the facts. Those entrusted in the highest of positions under his leadership have failed, and whistleblower protection rights have gone ignored. Thomas Bergami allowed and encouraged subordinate leaders under his command to commit whistleblower retaliation and commit various safety infractions. Managers are blatantly violating laws and refusing to adhere to local agreements, placing the hard-working staff in limbo with ever-changing policies and procedures that have done nothing but set USP Thomson ablaze. Programs such as those that fall within the First Step Act (FSA) have gone ignored as well as the staffing required for this essential program. Trying to operate this program or others without the proper staffing compliments of this facility has undoubtedly ensured that the many programs, including the FSA will fail. In recent weeks many external entities have reached out regarding the federal prison operations, particularly to USP Thomson leadership under the authority of Warden Bergami. They are demanding action from your office.  

We believe that the immediate removal of Warden Thomas Bergami would initiate the change in leadership needed to ensure USP Thomson moves in a path progressively for all interested. With all that being said, thus far, we have not seen the help we have requested and needed so desperately. we were told this issue would be resolved, and it has not been. We need help to protect the staff from these egregious sexual acts of misconduct. Warden Bergami has placed staff at risk, and we are requesting immediate intervention.  We have had 300 sexual attacks year to date. We had tools in place to reduce the number of incidents of sexual misconduct and had reduced the number of these incidents to an average 10-12 a month. This month we are at 34 sexual attacks, and we are only halfway through the month. Warden Bergami has ordered the tools used to protect staff removed and exposed staff in inmate sexual predators. The Agency has failed to protect our staff, and we have lost three staff in four days. We currently have 16 inmates that are sexual predators with recent attacks on staff, and Warden Bergami has failed to take action. Warden Bergami has also failed to show compassion for the staff that has been assaulted, nor has he offered any mental health service, including the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that specializes in mental health for staff.  

USP Thomson, located in Thomson, IL, is a high‐security Federal Prison and Special Management Unit. We have the tools available, and Warden Bergami refuses to use them and has put staff lives at risk.

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bettendord, Iowa