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Bill would let state inspectors enter privately run detention facilities; advocates cite conditions at northwest ICE Processing Center
Summary
Witnesses testified in favor of House Bill 12-32 to authorize state health inspections of privately run detention centers in Washington, citing reports of overcrowding, poor hygiene, suicides, strikes and denial of access to the Department of Health at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (GEO Group).
The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on Substitute House Bill 12-32 on March 24, which would require privately run detention facilities operating in Washington State to comply with state health and safety standards and allow the Department of Health and other state agencies to inspect and enforce those standards.
Multiple witnesses — including immigrant-advocacy groups, legal services organizations and local officials — described serious conditions at the privately operated Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, run by the GEO Group, and urged the committee to pass the bill to allow state agencies to inspect private detention facilities.
Perla Vasquez of La Resistencia said the detained population in Tacoma had doubled in under two months and described two suicide attempts in one week and “500 strikes in three months.” She urged inspections and accountability for private operators.
Leslie Avila, supervising attorney with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, testified about clients’ reports of “unhealthy meals lacking nutrition,” unsanitary bathrooms, issuance of used clothing, use of solitary confinement as punishment or retaliation, and costly communications that isolate detainees. Columbia Legal Services’ Hannah Warner said the bill does not apply to federal facilities but would apply to private contractors that operate facilities under federal contract; she cited Ninth Circuit precedent affirming state authority to regulate private federal contractors’ compliance with state health and safety laws.
City of Tacoma Council Member Christina Walker said the city lacks authority to intervene and that state action is needed so the Department of Health can enforce standards. Other supporters included Faith Action Network, the Washington State Catholic Conference, Latino Civic Alliance and the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability.
Proponents pointed specifically to the Northwest ICE Processing Center and to Martin Hall, a private youth facility operated by a Montana-based corporation, saying both should meet Washington’s standards when a private company operates within the state. Several witnesses said state agencies, including the Department of Health, have been denied access to investigate complaints.
Witnesses did not describe any formal enforcement action that would immediately follow passage; rather, proponents said the bill would align oversight of private detention facilities with standards already in place for state-run facilities and would permit unannounced inspections and enforcement by state agencies.
No formal committee vote was recorded during the hearing.
