GEO Group Ordered to Allow Health Inspections

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  A federal judge has ordered GEO Group to allow Washington State Department of Health inspectors into its Tacoma detention facility“U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle today granted the state of Washington’s motion for a preliminary injunction and Washington’s Department of Health’s motion for a preliminary injunction. In both orders, he said GEO must allow the state’s health inspectors into the Tacoma private detention facility, except for administrative and medical areas controlled by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Both orders will take effect in 14 days, allowing time for GEO to file an appeal.”
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  The order excludes ICE-controlled areas“GEO must allow the state’s health inspectors into the Tacoma private detention facility, except for administrative and medical areas controlled by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”
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  Judge Benjamin Settle granted preliminary injunctions for both the state and DOH“U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle today granted the state of Washington’s motion for a preliminary injunction and Washington’s Department of Health’s motion for a preliminary injunction.”
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  The ruling requires GEO to permit unannounced health inspections“GEO must allow the state’s health inspectors into the Tacoma private detention facility, except for administrative and medical areas controlled by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Both orders will take effect in 14 days, allowing time for GEO to file an appeal.”
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  The ruling follows over 3,500 complaints from detainees about unsafe conditions“In April, the State of Washington asked the court to issue an order to permit DOH inspectors to enter the facility to ensure that it’s following state law and to investigate more than 3,500 complaints from detainees about conditions there.”
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  Detainees reported rotten food as part of the unsafe conditions“Detainees reported that the food “appears rotten, has been served on dirty trays, and contains bugs.” One complaint reported that “[y]esterday for dinner, they served us raw meat. You can see the blood inside the meat. Many of us in the unit (54 people) chose to throw it away, but others made the decision to still eat it because they were hungry. Today, around 15 people woke up sick due to the food from last night.” On drinking water, one detainee said: “The water tastes disgusting, it does not taste like normal water you usually drink, which makes sense because all the staff here bring in their own water bottles because they know the water here is not safe to drink.” There are reports that sheets are not washed after someone has been sick with an infectious disease such as chicken pox or Covid. A detainee with mental health issues had soiled their clothing but was refused clean clothing by one of the guards. There are reports of black mold in the showers. Another complaint stated that at one point there were only two working bathrooms for approximately 100 people to use.”
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  Detainees reported unsafe drinking water as part of the unsafe conditions“On drinking water, one detainee said: "The water tastes disgusting, it does not taste like normal water you usually drink, which makes sense because all the staff here bring in their own water bottles because they know the water here is not safe to drink."”
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  Detainees reported unsanitary facilities as part of the unsafe conditions“Detainees reported that the food “appears rotten, has been served on dirty trays, and contains bugs.” One complaint reported that “[y]esterday for dinner, they served us raw meat. You can see the blood inside the meat. Many of us in the unit (54 people) chose to throw it away, but others made the decision to still eat it because they were hungry. Today, around 15 people woke up sick due to the food from last night.” On drinking water, one detainee said: “The water tastes disgusting, it does not taste like normal water you usually drink, which makes sense because all the staff here bring in their own water bottles because they know the water here is not safe to drink.” There are reports that sheets are not washed after someone has been sick with an infectious disease such as chicken pox or Covid. A detainee with mental health issues had soiled their clothing but was refused clean clothing by one of the guards. There are reports of black mold in the showers. Another complaint stated that at one point there were only two working bathrooms for approximately 100 people to use.”
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  Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Nick Brown praised the decisionNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  The decision upholds Washington's 2023 law (HB 1470)“In 2023, Washington state passed a law (HB 1470) setting basic health and safety standards for private detention facilities and allowing DOH to conduct unannounced health and safety inspections of these facilities. GEO has been attempting to defy this law ever since. Washington state’s action was based on this law, whereas the Department of Health’s preliminary injunction was based on its general public health inspection authority. Both laws were vindicated by today’s orders.”
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  HB 1470 requires health and safety standards for private detention facilities“In 2023, Washington state passed a law (HB 1470) setting basic health and safety standards for private detention facilities and allowing DOH to conduct unannounced health and safety inspections of these facilities.”
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  GEO has been challenging this law since its passage“GEO has been attempting to defy this law ever since.”
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  The judge's orders take effect in 14 days“Both orders will take effect in 14 days, allowing time for GEO to file an appeal.”
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  The orders allow GEO time to appeal“Both orders will take effect in 14 days, allowing time for GEO to file an appeal.”
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  The facility is operated as the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Center“Washington has won two preliminary injunction orders against The GEO Group in which a federal judge said the company is likely to lose its fight to try to prevent Washington State Department of Health (DOH) inspectors from entering its Tacoma facility that it operates as the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Center.”