Judge Orders GEO to Allow Health Inspections

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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  Washington State has won a preliminary injunction requiring GEO Group to allow health inspectors into its Tacoma detention 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.”
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  The injunction 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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  U. S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle granted the state's motion“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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  Judge Benjamin Settle ordered GEO to permit Department of Health (DOH) inspections“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 takes effect in 14 days“Both orders will take effect in 14 days, allowing time for GEO to file an appeal.”
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  GEO is allowed to appeal the order“Both orders will take effect in 14 days, allowing time for GEO to file an appeal.”
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  The state based its case on 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.”
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  HB 1470 is a 2023 law setting 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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  Detainees reported unsafe conditions including rotten food“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.””
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  Detainees reported unsafe conditions including unsafe drinking water“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 unsafe conditions including lack of medical care“A detainee with mental health issues had soiled their clothing but was refused clean clothing by one of the guards.”
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  One complaint detailed raw meat served for dinner“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.””
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  15 people got sick after eating raw meat for dinner“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."”
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  Another complaint described black mold in showers“There are reports of black mold in the showers.”
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  Only two working bathrooms were available for 100 people“null”