Cardi B Calls Out Hazelton Prison Abuse: ‘We Still Matter’—BBG Exposes Systemic Mistreatment and How to Take Action

By: Crystal Good & BBG, featuring Caitlin Leggett’s Investigative Report

Hazelton Facility Under Scrutiny for Alleged Inhumane Conditions

In January 2025, rapper Cardi B publicly claimed via an Instagram story that her friend Star Brim, legally named Yonette Repass, has been denied access to her mail and heat in her cell, while serving her sentence at Hazelton’s Secure Female Facility (SFF Hazelton). She also alleged that Repass has not been acknowledged by prison leadership or her case manager and suggested that the mistreatment was due to their personal association.

The Federal Communications Commission Hazelton responded, stating that all living quarters are heated and meet the set temperature requirements. They also asserted that incarcerated individuals have access to telephones, electronic messaging, in-person visitation, and USPS mail, though inclement weather may delay deliveries.

FCC Hazelton stated

“The heat and power at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Hazelton is fully operational with no disruptions in service. All living quarters are heated and have maintained targeted temperatures in accordance with Program Statement 4200.12, ‘Facilities Operations Manual.’ Temperature set points will be targeted to 76 degrees Fahrenheit in the cooling season and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the heating season. All spaces will be maintained as close to the targeted set point as possible. However, due to issues such as the age of the cooling and heating systems and the inability to control temperatures in individual spaces, occupants may experience a range of temperatures in their space that is a few degrees on either side of the targeted set point.”

In their statement, they also noted:

“The Federal Bureau of Prisons has an Administrative Remedy Program for incarcerated individuals to seek formal review and redress of almost any concern they have regarding their incarceration.”

Cardi B’s public outcry underscores the ongoing issues at Hazelton, which BBG previously covered through BBG’s story of Cynthia Young, written by Caitlin Leggett: We Still Matter: Women Jailed in Hazelton Report Abuse, Unsafe Living Conditions (November 21, 2022).

The Cynthia Young Case: A Pattern of Abuse

Cynthia Young, a 48-year-old mother and grandmother from Raleigh, North Carolina, was sentenced to 228 months in prison in 2018. After being transferred to Hazelton in 2021, she became a leading voice in exposing the inhumane treatment at the facility.

Nine women at FCC Hazelton wrote a letter detailing their experiences:

“This affects our lives and those who love us — we still matter. The time is now to build a better future for ourselves, our families, and our communities. We want to mend relationships, take responsibility, and make positive decisions. … We are forced to deal with many obstacles within SFF Hazelton, including the lack of basic necessities and humane treatment. Please help us make positive change an option for all.”

Young and others report physical abuse, denial of medical care, racial discrimination, and prolonged lockdowns due to understaffing. Cynthia, who requires open-heart surgery, has struggled to receive adequate medical care.

Senator Capito Calls for Investigation

In August 2023, Cynthia and eight other inmates sent letters to West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito. In response, Capito formally requested an investigation by the Department of Justice in September 2023. The senator’s letter detailed:

• Staff assaulting inmates, breaking one person’s ribs;
• staff urinating on inmate property;
• staff forcing inmates to urinate/defecate on themselves as a condition of release from the Special Housing Unit (SHU);
• staff using racial slurs against minority individuals;
• a cover-up of an escaped group of inmates;
• supervisory staff falsifying documents and covering up abuse;
• and staff members using restrictive housing punitively against inmates.

Capito’s letter also requested:

• A list of abuse allegations at FCC Hazelton since 2013;
• A list of staff members promoted or transferred while under investigation;
• Documents regarding crimes and transfers of Bureau of Prisons  staff charged with crimes;
• The number of employees who continued to work with inmates while under investigation.

BBG Reaches Out for an Update

BBG reached out to Senator Capito’s office for an update. On February 4, 2025, at 4:11 PM, Kelley Moore, Capito’s Communications Director, responded:

“Thanks so much for reaching out. Based on your questions below, I think the folks at Hazelton will have the best answers for this since these are specific to their facility. If you need a contact, I think this is probably the best email to use: HAX-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov.”

However, inmates like Cynthia Young continue to demand basic human rights, calling for better medical care, increased staffing, and improved rehabilitation programs.

“We need medical, and we need staff,” Cynthia said. “There are barely any programs for rehabilitation or education, and the ones they have are understaffed. What’s happening here just isn’t right.”

Taking Action

Chronic understaffing remains a significant issue within West Virginia’s correctional facilities, prompting legislative action aimed at improving conditions and retaining staff. Former West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed multiple bills into law to address these concerns, allocating $25 million in additional funding to the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR). These measures include salary increases for existing correctional staff, higher starting wages for new hires, and retention bonuses for non-uniformed employees.

The West Virginia Legislature passed several key bills, including SB 1003, SB 1004, and SB 1005, all designed to alleviate staffing shortages and enhance facility conditions. A press release from the governor’s office outlined the provisions, emphasizing the importance of sustainable staffing levels and the role of increased compensation in reducing turnover.

However, despite these legislative efforts, concerns about inmate welfare persist, underscoring the need for continued oversight and advocacy.

Cardi B’s advocacy has amplified concerns about Hazelton’s treatment of incarcerated women, aligning with ongoing efforts by BBG and other advocates to hold the facility accountable. Community members, policymakers, and activists can take steps to ensure that incarcerated individuals receive fair and humane treatment. For those seeking to take action, reaching out to key officials can help amplify these voices and demand accountability.

FCC Hazelton Contact:

Federal Correctional Complex Hazelton 1640 Sky View Drive, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525 Email: HAX-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov Phone: (304) 379-5000

Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s Office:

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  • Address: 172 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
  • Phone: (202) 224-6472
  • Website: capito.senate.gov/contact

For more information or additional office locations, visit: capito.senate.gov/contact.