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Thread: The GAO just publicly released a blockbuster new study on ICE’s detention contracts under the Trump administration. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about immigration detention. https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-21-149 /1
The GAO found that in the last 4 years, ICE spent billions opening new facilities without proper justification or oversight, in places known to be dangerous, and increased guaranteed payments in billions to private prison corporations without going through proper channels. /2
The GAO’s study underscores what the @ACLU @HRW @NIJC found last year: Trump administration grew detention to an unprecedented size, in remote locations, with long histories of mistreatment and abuse. Private prison companies profited the most: https://bit.ly/2N3qNOy /3
The GAO found that of the 40 new facilities opened in the last 4 years, “28 of 40 did not have documentation from ICE showing a need for space, or the basis of ICE’s decisions to enter into them. /4
The GAO also found that ICE grew the number of guaranteed minimums into its contracts for facilities (mostly run by private prison companies)—paying corporations billions. Remember, ICE spent a whopping $3.14 billion on immigration detention in FY 2020. /5
The GAO found that ICE did not follow its process to obtain detention space and had limited documentation to support this recently acquired detention space. Most new facilities lacked documentation showing the basis for ICE’s decisions to enter the contracts and agreements. /6
ICE opened these detention facilities knowing that they were remote, difficult to staff, far from medical care. ICE approved these headquarters-identified facilities with minimal justification. /7
ICE field offices themselves raised concerns about the suitability of certain facilities. As the @ACLU reported before, the GAO identified Adams County as one of these facilities: it had previously been shut down by the BOP due to chronic overstaffing, riots, and deaths. /8
Staff were directed to retroactively write a white paper to support the facility after the agreement terms (including a nearly $4 million a month guaranteed payment for 1,100 detention beds) had already been negotiated between ICE HQ, the county, and the private prison co. /9
The GAO found that ICE does not provide for independent oversight of detention facility contracts, a repeated problem. For example, see the allegations of shady contracting procedures after CA banned use of private prisons in 2019. https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2019/11/14/calif-congressional-delegation-criticizes-ice-solicitation-private-detention-facilities/4185625002/ /10
The GAO also found ICE's detention oversight is a failure. Gov't inspectors, at times, tried to impose penalties for negligent deaths in custody, improper use of pepper spray, violation of use of force protocols—but ICE decided not to impose recommended penalties. /11
At the end of the day, immigration detention is an inhumane, brutal, and unnecessary system that allows continued death, misery, and abuse. Private prison corporations and local law enforcement agencies profit by the billions. Shut it down. /end
