Immigrant Advocates Demand End to ICE Contract with Plymouth Jail
Amid ongoing allegations of inhumane conditions, immigrant-rights advocates are calling for the closure of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility, the last detention centre in Massachusetts holding federal immigration detainees. As federal authorities negotiate a potential contract extension, concerns about unsanitary conditions and abuse at the facility have reached a boiling point.
Calls for Immediate Closure: What You Need to Know
This month, legal advocacy groups have escalated their complaints against the Plymouth County Correctional Facility. They filed a 19-page addendum with the state’s attorney general, demanding “immediate intervention” to address the dire conditions within the facility. This new complaint follows a series of grievances about the facility’s treatment of detainees.
In tandem, US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey have voiced their concerns. They have sent a letter to federal authorities urging for stricter oversight and a reconsideration of the contract between ICE and the Plymouth sheriff’s office. The growing pressure underscores a critical juncture in the debate over immigrant detention practices.
Grievances Against the Facility: A Snapshot
The complaint highlights several serious issues:
- Impediments to Legal Access: Detainees are reportedly facing significant challenges in contacting their lawyers, which impedes their ability to mount effective legal defences.
- Unsanitary Conditions: Reports of moldy food, overcrowding, and filthy conditions are prevalent.
- Abuse and Solitary Confinement: There are allegations of detainees being placed in solitary confinement as punishment and being subjected to physical abuse.
- Poor Language Access: Limited language support hampers detainees’ ability to understand and exercise their rights.
- Retaliation: Detainees who voice complaints or seek assistance are reportedly facing retaliation.
These conditions have taken a toll on detainees’ mental and physical health, with advocates describing the environment as “spirit-breaking.”
Advocates’ Stories and Testimonies
One of the most compelling voices comes from the Rev. Annie Gonzalez, a volunteer with the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network. Gonzalez, who provides spiritual aid and advocacy, describes the psychological impact of the conditions at Plymouth. She highlights the “daily grind” of poor conditions that contribute to the detainees’ suffering.
Tiffany Lieu, a clinical instructor at the Harvard Immigration & Refugee Clinical Program, also criticises the facility’s expansion amid worsening conditions. She notes that the facility has increased its capacity from 240 to 360 detainees, further exacerbating the issues.
Sal Khan, a Massachusetts man who experienced the conditions firsthand, shared his harrowing experience. Khan, who faced deportation proceedings, described overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and periods of solitary confinement. His testimony reinforces the urgent need for reform or closure.
Federal and State Responses
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office is currently reviewing the new allegations alongside the 2023 complaint. While they did not confirm or deny the existence of an ongoing investigation, the office’s review signifies a critical step toward addressing the issues raised.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s office, led by Sheriff Joseph McDonald Jr., has yet to comment on the specifics of the new complaint but is reportedly reviewing the public details. Meanwhile, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not responded to requests for comment.
The Broader Context: Federal Contracts and Local Facilities
Federal authorities like ICE and the US Marshals Service typically contract with local jails, including county facilities like Plymouth County Correctional Facility, to house detainees. These contracts often serve as supplementary funding for local budgets. However, as dissent over the use of local resources for federal immigration enforcement grows, several sheriffs’ offices have ended their agreements with ICE.
The Suffolk County sheriff’s office stopped housing ICE detainees in 2019, and the Biden administration ended the Bristol County sheriff’s office contract in 2021 due to poor living conditions.
What’s Next for the Plymouth Facility?
As the contract with ICE is up for renewal, advocates are pushing for significant changes or the complete closure of the facility. They argue for greater privileges for detainees, such as improved legal access and better living conditions, as well as reforms suggested by the 2021 DHS investigation.
The growing scrutiny and public pressure highlight a critical moment in the debate over immigration detention practices in the US. Advocates continue to push for justice and reform, emphasising that the current conditions at Plymouth are unacceptable.
Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Reform
The call to end the ICE contract with Plymouth County Correctional Facility reflects broader concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees across the US. The facility’s expansion amidst worsening conditions has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of oversight and the morality of continued detention practices.
As the debate continues, both state and federal authorities must address the grave issues reported by advocates and detainees. The outcome of these negotiations and investigations will be pivotal in determining the future of immigration detention in Massachusetts.
Additional Resources:
- ICE Detention Practices: American Civil Liberties Union – ICE Detention
- Plymouth County Correctional Facility: Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office
- Advocacy Groups: Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network
- Legal Complaints: Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
- Senate Oversight: Senator Elizabeth Warren | Senator Ed Markey
