Chaplain corps officials have allowed inmates convicted of terror-related offenses to lead religious services

The chaplain corps officials have allowed inmates convicted of terror-related offenses or with links to terrorist organizations to lead religious services, justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report found.  Prison staff consistently reported that inmate-led services presented safety and security risks and the potential for inmates to radicalize others while serving in religious leadership roles, Justice auditors mentioned.

“For example, we found that some institutions permitted inmates with a known nexus to international or domestic terrorism to lead religious services,” according to the report.

The report comes as the BOP has staffing shortages and pandemic, which has taken the lives of 240 inmates and four staff members, according to agency records.