The Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF) in Estancia has been at the center of yet another controversy, as protesters and advocates gathered outside of the CoreCivic Northwest New Mexico Correctional Center in Grants on Dec. 11 to demonstrate their disapproval of the center’s alleged inhumane treatment of detainees and deplorable sanitary and abusive conditions.
Immigrant and prisoner activist groups Innovation Law Lab and Jailhouse Lawyers Speak organized the rally.
The advocates demand the closure of the facility as numerous reports of inhumane conditions have now piled up to a point of desperation, as explained by the assistants and legal representatives.
“The people inside TCDF are being treated horribly, and the contract that allows this to happen needs to end,” said Tiffany Wang, an attorney at Innovation Law Lab. “We’re here today to say that we won’t stop until this facility is shut down, and the people detained inside are free.”
The protest synchronized with a commission meeting that took place inside of the facility. Activists took the chance to personally urge officials to end the contracts keeping TCDF operational.
“We are not just fighting for those inside the facility. We are also working to ensure economic stability for the residents of Torrance County, so they don’t have to rely on jobs at the detention center where there are poor working conditions that cause stress,” Wang said.
The goal is to shut down the facility entirely and for CoreCivic to end its contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Since its reopening in 2019, TCDF has had numerous reports of alleged violations and abuses against asylum seekers detained at the facility.
Such situations include inadequate medical conditions, including the use of solitary confinement as the solution for depression and anxiety and ibuprofen for anything else.
In August 2022, 23-year-old Brazilian detainee named Kesley Vial reportedly died from suicide after allegedly not receiving the proper care at te facility.
Innovation Law Lab’s also has a comprehensive timeline detailing events and further information on the history of TCDF.
Despite the allegations, CoreCivic released a statement expressing their efforts to uphold the best interests of the detainees and the facility as a whole.
“The safety, health and well-being of the individuals entrusted to our care and our dedicated staff is our top priority. We continue to hear claims and allegations about the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF) that simply don’t reflect the quality of the services provided at the facility or the professionalism of our team,” said CoreCivic’s director of public affairs, Ryan Gustin.
ICE released a statement May 15 announcing the current CoreCivic contract’s extension. The agency has an intergovernmental service agreement with Torrance County.
This facility is managed by CoreCivic, a private contractor that has a private partnership with ICE to maintain a detention space for individuals that “pose public safety risks and to facilitate deportations.”
In the contract, ICE acknowledges the role of private detention in its operational framework, with additional information available via FOIA requests.
On May 19, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security conducted a “spot-check” at Torrance County Detention Facility where they reported findings and recommendations such as unsanitary conditions through the facility, which include the lack of clean drinking water among others.
During the rally, speakers also highlighted the need for better economic opportunities for the community and the negative impact spaces like the TCDF bring to Estancia.
The event concluded with a call to action and the distribution of a toolkit on how to end the contract and raise awareness about the people and conditions of this facility.
On Dec. 9, The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) filed a formal complaint with the Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to investigate systemic medical neglect at the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan as well.
The complaint lists serious inadequateness in medical care which include delayed or denied treatment for severe conditions, lack of proper medical staffing and violations of federal detention standards.
“This is directly related to the rally at Torrance last week,” said Felipe Vasquez, Communication Strategies and Outreach representative at NMILC.
TCDF has a documented history of alleged abuses and human rights violations, particularly concerning the treatment of detained migrants.
To obtain information about a detainee, call the facility at (505) 452-4821 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., and be sure to have the person’s information ready. The requested information includes first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases they may use, date of birth and country of birth.
To leave a message, call (505) 384-2711, as detainees are unable to receive calls. It is recommended to have their full name and alien registration number ready as well as providing your name and number.
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