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Advocates say detainees report poor conditions at TCDF and urge Torrance County to end ICE contract
Summary
Advocates for detainees at the Torrance County Detention Facility presented written statements alleging poor food, inadequate medical care, cold sleeping quarters, prolonged clothing deprivation, and claims that ICE uses harsh conditions to coerce deportation. Innovation Law Lab asked the county to end its ICE contract and stop facilitating family separation.
During the public-comment portion of the Jan. 28 meeting, representatives from the Innovation Law Lab presented written statements from detainees at the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF). PJ Podesta said the submissions described systemic problems including "poor food quality," "inadequate medical care (reliance on Tylenol, delays)," cold sleeping quarters, and restricted access to personal property and legal counsel.
Tiffany Wang read a statement attributed to a detainee who said he had lived in the U.S. since age 10 and is a DACA recipient with a U.S. citizen spouse and four U.S.-born children. Wang summarized the detainee's claim that "ICE is using harsh conditions at TCDF to coerce detainees into deportation" and asked Torrance County to end its contract with ICE and to stop using the facility in ways that lead to family separation. The Commission did not take immediate action on the request but staff noted the public comment and the manager and county attorney were directed to continue monitoring relevant correspondence (including any DOJ communications) and contractual obligations.
