U.S. Immigration Detention: The Private Prison Problem.pdf

The U.S. immigration detention system, the world's largest, is heavily privatized, with 73% of immigrants held in private facilities. This partnership with private prison companies, such as CCA (now CoreCivic), GEO Group, and MTC, has led to severe issues:

1. Profit-driven cost-cutting: Private contractors prioritize profits, leading to inadequate services and poor conditions for detainees.
2. Lack of accountability: Contractors often face no consequences for failing to meet contract terms.
3. Influence over government officials: Private companies push for the expansion of the immigration detention system.
4. Lack of transparency: Contract details and operations are often hidden from the public.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) began phasing out private prison contracts in 2016 due to similar issues. Following this, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was urged to do the same. Detention Watch Network submitted evidence detailing four fundamental problems with privately-run detention centers.

To address these issues, DHS should:
1. Stop expanding the detention system and signing new contracts with private companies.
2. Not renew or rebid existing contracts with private detention operators.
3. Set end dates for all contracts without them.
4. Reduce the number of people in detention, starting by ending family detention and detention of asylum-seekers.

Detainees' experiences in privately-run facilities, as reported by 42 individuals, highlight inadequate medical care, mistreatment, poor food and sanitation, language access issues, and lack of accountability.