Innovation Law Lab plays recording alleging unsanitary conditions and mistreatment at Torrance County detention facility

Innovation Law Lab representatives played an audio recording and provided a Spanish-to-English translation during public comment, saying a person detained at the Torrance County Detention Facility (operated by CoreCivic) described poor living conditions and alleged mistreatment by ICE.

PJ Podesta, who translated the recording, said the detainee reported ‘‘the showers are not disinfected, and the bathrooms are not disinfected,’’ and described limited medication and delayed responses when detainees requested legal or medical help. Podesta also reported the detainee’s allegation that some guards were abusive and that cells and washings were returned damp or moldy. Podesta attributed the statements to the person whose recording was played; no county official provided a response in the meeting record.

The translation and recording were entered during the public-comment period; Innovation Law Lab said the recording documents conditions at the facility and urged attention. The commission did not vote on or directly address the allegations during the meeting. The recording and translation are part of the public record and were the primary evidence presented to the board at this agenda item.