By Christina Carrega and Evan Perez | CNNFederal Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal is retiring, following months of pressure from some lawmakers seeking his ouster over management issues at the agency. A Bureau of Prisons message to employees on Wednesday said that “after 30 years of service with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Michael Carvajal, Director, this week notified Justice Department leadership of his plans to retire.”“At the request of the Attorney General, Director Carvajal has agreed to continue to lead the agency until a successor is named,” the message said. He rose through the ranks, serving as a warden at two federal prisons until he was appointed by former Attorney General William Barr to lead the BOP. Carvajal’s term began in February 2020, weeks after Covid-19 reached the US and plagued federal prison facilities across the country. Carvajal’s handling of the pandemic came under heavy criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and civil rights organizations.

Source: CNN January 06, 2022 00:44 UTC