Congressman Neguse Calls for DOJ to Drop Lawsuit in Support of GEO Group, Private Prisons
Washington D.C.— Congressman Joe Neguse, this week, joined Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) and over 20 other lawmakers in sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging him to consider dropping a Department of Justice legal challenge against the State of California regarding AB 32 (People not Profit), which aims to ban privately operated prisons and detention centers. The lawmakers note that continuing the ongoing appeal puts the Department of Justice in the way of President Biden’s stated goal to ensure the federal government does not use private facilities for incarceration.
“Under the Trump Administration, we saw an expansion in the use of private prisons in immigration detention, and increased barriers for transparency and accountability that accompanied these contracts,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “The Federal Government has a responsibility to ensure the safe and humane treatment of those in its care. With President Biden in office, it’s time to turn the page on the cruel immigration policies perpetrated by the last Administration, and that includes dropping the Department of Justice lawsuit against People not Profit and supporting a ban on privately operated prisons and detention centers.”
“Assigning a profit motive to human captivity is immoral and consistently leads to appalling conditions for inmates in these facilities,” Rep. Norma J. Torres said. “The State of California has every right to cut ties with this abhorrent industry, yet the Trump Administration sued to hamper those efforts. It’s time for Attorney General Garland to withdraw from this suit that betrays our values as a nation and undermines the will of the people in the Golden State. I’m proud to lead a letter this week with Congressman Grijalva and my Congressional colleagues urging him to do exactly that, and look forward to a prompt response from the Attorney General.”
“For too long, private prison companies have lined their pockets with money made off the pain and suffering of others,” Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva said. “Perverse profit incentives have kept people locked up in prisons and detention centers that are rife with abuses and mistreatment. We cannot allow taxpayer dollars to fund such rampant abuses. Mass incarceration destroys lives and tears families and communities apart, and the private prison industry is a driving force behind the mass incarceration crisis disproportionately plaguing immigrants and communities of color in our country. ?President Biden's administration has an opportunity to make good on his campaign promise and end privatized incarceration.”
The full text of the letter is available here.
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