August 23, 2021

Washington, DC – The Day 1 Alliance released the following statement from National Spokesperson Alexandra Wilkes on a recently published journal article in Cambridge University Press’ Business and Politics entitled: “Cosponsoring and Cashing In: US House Members’ Support for Punitive Immigration Policy and Financial Payoffs from the Private Prison Industry”:

“Unfortunately, this article is based upon a distorted, biased view of the role that federal contractors have played in the U.S. immigration system for decades.

“First, as a long-standing policy, our member companies do not lobby on immigration enforcement policies. In fact, for decades our members have had zero-tolerance policies against lobbying for or against regulations or legislation that impact the basis for or duration of an individual’s incarceration or immigration detention.

“Second, the fact is that contractors have been called upon by both Democratic and Republican presidential administrations to dramatically improve conditions for migrants navigating our nation’s immigration system. These administrations have had a wide range of approaches to immigration policy, but they have agreed on the fundamental need to provide safe, dignified care to the men and women in our immigration system, and have for decades turned to our member companies to help provide those solutions. This includes replacing old, dilapidated jails with modern, purpose-built facilities that provide in-house health care services, access to the U.S. legal system, immigrant-rights advocates, religious services, recreation, and much more.

“Contractors operate under rigorous oversight from a number of government agencies and independent organizations, with federal employees working onsite at facilities to monitor contract compliance, and adhering to federal Performance-Based National Detention Standards, which were updated under the Obama-Biden administration.

“We’re very proud of our members and their thousands of employees who deliver respectful, dignified care each and every day.”

About the Day 1 Alliance:

The Day 1 Alliance (D1A) is a trade association representing private sector contractors helping government agencies address corrections and detention challenges in the United States. For more than 35 years, D1A members have worked with local, state, and federal governments led by members of both political parties to provide professional, humane, and respectful treatment to incarcerated and detained individuals. From day one, we understand we have a responsibility to provide safe and dignified care to those in our facilities. D1A members do not lobby for or against policies, regulations, or legislation that impact the basis for or duration of an individual’s incarceration or detention.

The members of the Day 1 Alliance are CoreCivic, The GEO Group, Management & Training Corporation, and LaSalle Corrections.

Learn more at day1alliance.org and follow us on Twitter @TheDay1Alliance.

Media inquiries:
contact@day1alliance.org

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