TW: Sexual assault
Brandon Miller has been incarcerated for seven years, but it was not until August of 2023 that he faced sexual harassment like never before. During a major shakedown in the FCI Butner Medium II, Lieutenant Montgomery took Mr. Miller to the staff restroom for his “inspection”. It was there that he requested Mr. Miller to remove all clothing. Despite being uncomfortable with the request, Mr. Miller tolerated it, as he could only think of what Lt. Montgomery would do if he did not comply.
After he removed his clothes, Lt. Montgomery asked Mr. Miller to “squat and cough.” Unlike the ordinary person, squatting is particularly difficult for Mr. Miller, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Its common symptoms include loss of balance and coordination, difficulty with cognitive function, and muscle weakness, stiffness, or spasms. A squat was unimaginably painful for Mr. Miller.
Yet the level of discomfort only seemed to increase.
“I want you to turn around, spread your a*s cheeks, I want to see your a*shole” was the demand made by Lt. Montgomery.
This. This single sentence made Mr. Miller feel more ashamed and violated than he had ever felt before. Not only was the pain of Multiple Sclerosis attacking him, but so was the overwhelming sense of shame as he fearfully followed Lt. Montgomery’s order.
In the following 2 days, when FCI Butner Medium II was on lockdown, Mr. Miller took the time to gather his courage to report this issue. After the lockdown had ended, Mr. Miller reported this case through the Prison Rape Elimination Act, or PREA. His report included two requests. One, for the report to remain confidential during the time of the investigation (which is also federally mandated by PREA), and two, for him to be relocated somewhere Lt. Montgomery could not easily reach.
Although the staff was aware that this matter was highly sensitive, they shared this report with Lt. Montgomery. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)’s Program statement, on cases of sexual harrasment: “staff shall not reveal any information related to a sexual abuse report to anyone other than to the extent necessary,” yet in this case, they brushed over the official policies of BOP, and failed to stay confidential with this serious matter.
Even worse, as of today, Mr. Miller is still living in FCI Butner Medium II—the same place where he faced sexual harassment by the still-employed Lieutenant Montgomery.
Prisons are meant to ensure humane treatment that prepares incarcerated individuals for reentry into society – at least this is what is stated on the BOP website. Subjecting someone to sexual harassment when they are already in a vulnerable position does not seem to fit the definition of providing “more progressive and humane care”; in fact, this savage treatment seems to be the exact opposite of what the BOP claims its mission is.
The BOP has a responsibility to protect incarcerated individuals. In fact, one of their program statements states, “The Bureau also has zero tolerance for sexual abuse of a staff member by an inmate, detainee, or resident...” So, why has no action been taken since Mr. Miller reported the sexual harassment he faced from Lt. Montgomery? Why was his confidential report leaked to the very officer who perpetrated the abuse? Every day, Mr. Miller is left wondering, “Why does the BOP continue to put my life in danger”?
FCI Butner has not only failed to follow proper protocol for sexual harassment, but they are actively putting Mr. Miller's physical and mental well-being in danger. Moreover, Lt. Montgomery failed to conduct a proper strip search. He went out of his way to invade Mr. Miller's privacy and place him in an uncomfortable and extremely vulnerable position. This is not only inhumane but a blatant abuse of power.
Here at the Remedy Project, we demand that Mr. Miller be transferred to a different facility where he will be protected from further abuse by Lt. Montgomery and potential retaliation from him and other staff members. Furthermore, we want to see a formal investigation into Lt. Montgomery's sexual harassment and for him to be disciplined accordingly.
Sexual harassment should never be taken lightly, and with FCI Butner Medium II unable to follow its own set of rules, we wonder how many incarcerated individuals are undergoing the same mental distress every day. Please sign the action item below to join us in demanding justice!
TW: Sexual assault
Brandon Miller has been incarcerated for seven years, but it was not until August of 2023 that he faced sexual harassment like never before. During a major shakedown in the FCI Butner Medium II, Lieutenant Montgomery took Mr. Miller to the staff restroom for his “inspection”. It was there that he requested Mr. Miller to remove all clothing. Despite being uncomfortable with the request, Mr. Miller tolerated it, as he could only think of what Lt. Montgomery would do if he did not comply.
After he removed his clothes, Lt. Montgomery asked Mr. Miller to “squat and cough.” Unlike the ordinary person, squatting is particularly difficult for Mr. Miller, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Its common symptoms include loss of balance and coordination, difficulty with cognitive function, and muscle weakness, stiffness, or spasms. A squat was unimaginably painful for Mr. Miller.
Yet the level of discomfort only seemed to increase.
“I want you to turn around, spread your a*s cheeks, I want to see your a*shole” was the demand made by Lt. Montgomery.
This. This single sentence made Mr. Miller feel more ashamed and violated than he had ever felt before. Not only was the pain of Multiple Sclerosis attacking him, but so was the overwhelming sense of shame as he fearfully followed Lt. Montgomery’s order.
In the following 2 days, when FCI Butner Medium II was on lockdown, Mr. Miller took the time to gather his courage to report this issue. After the lockdown had ended, Mr. Miller reported this case through the Prison Rape Elimination Act, or PREA. His report included two requests. One, for the report to remain confidential during the time of the investigation (which is also federally mandated by PREA), and two, for him to be relocated somewhere Lt. Montgomery could not easily reach.
Although the staff was aware that this matter was highly sensitive, they shared this report with Lt. Montgomery. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)’s Program statement, on cases of sexual harrasment: “staff shall not reveal any information related to a sexual abuse report to anyone other than to the extent necessary,” yet in this case, they brushed over the official policies of BOP, and failed to stay confidential with this serious matter.
Even worse, as of today, Mr. Miller is still living in FCI Butner Medium II—the same place where he faced sexual harassment by the still-employed Lieutenant Montgomery.
Prisons are meant to ensure humane treatment that prepares incarcerated individuals for reentry into society – at least this is what is stated on the BOP website. Subjecting someone to sexual harassment when they are already in a vulnerable position does not seem to fit the definition of providing “more progressive and humane care”; in fact, this savage treatment seems to be the exact opposite of what the BOP claims its mission is.
The BOP has a responsibility to protect incarcerated individuals. In fact, one of their program statements states, “The Bureau also has zero tolerance for sexual abuse of a staff member by an inmate, detainee, or resident...” So, why has no action been taken since Mr. Miller reported the sexual harassment he faced from Lt. Montgomery? Why was his confidential report leaked to the very officer who perpetrated the abuse? Every day, Mr. Miller is left wondering, “Why does the BOP continue to put my life in danger”?
FCI Butner has not only failed to follow proper protocol for sexual harassment, but they are actively putting Mr. Miller's physical and mental well-being in danger. Moreover, Lt. Montgomery failed to conduct a proper strip search. He went out of his way to invade Mr. Miller's privacy and place him in an uncomfortable and extremely vulnerable position. This is not only inhumane but a blatant abuse of power.
Here at the Remedy Project, we demand that Mr. Miller be transferred to a different facility where he will be protected from further abuse by Lt. Montgomery and potential retaliation from him and other staff members. Furthermore, we want to see a formal investigation into Lt. Montgomery's sexual harassment and for him to be disciplined accordingly.
Sexual harassment should never be taken lightly, and with FCI Butner Medium II unable to follow its own set of rules, we wonder how many incarcerated individuals are undergoing the same mental distress every day. Please sign the action item below to join us in demanding justice!
