Walter B. Jones: “Today is day 274 of incarceration for two former U.S. Border Patrol agents. Agents Ramos and Compean were convicted in…”

“Today is day 274 of incarceration for two former U.S. Border Patrol agents. Agents Ramos and Compean were convicted in March of 2006 for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our border into Texas. Two decorated Border Patrol agents with exemplary records, who were doing their duty to protect the American people from an illegal American drug smuggler, are serving 11 and 12 years in prison. Since the agents' convictions, thousands of American citizens and dozens of Members of Congress have called for justice for these two border agents. These two decorated agents were doing their duty to enforce the law and did not deserve to spend 1 day in prison. While these two men appeal their convictions, they continue to languish in solitary confinement. Nine months of solitary confinement is unacceptable. The Bureau of Prisons has violated its own guidelines which state that administrative detention is intended to be used for 'short periods not to exceed 90 days.' Although former law enforcement officers face increased safety risks in prison, the harmful effects of prolonged solitary confinement are well-documented. Solitary confinement is not an acceptable long-term solution for ensuring their physical safety.”