Private Prison Falsified Records in Detainee’s Death in ICE Custody
The recent death of a detainee in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has raised serious concerns about the treatment of immigrants in detention facilities. The detainee, identified as 37-year-old Nebane Abienwi, died on October 1st, 2019 at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, California. An investigation into his death has revealed shocking findings – that the private prison company, GEO Group, falsified records and failed to meet ICE standards on the morning of Abienwi’s death.
According to the report by The Intercept, investigators found that GEO Group staff had falsely logged visits and failed to conduct required welfare checks on Abienwi on the morning of his death. This negligence and deliberate falsification of records by the private prison company is deeply concerning and highlights the urgent need for reform in the immigration detention system.
Abienwi, a Cameroonian national, had been seeking asylum in the United States. He was detained at the Otay Mesa Detention Center for over two weeks before his death. The facility is operated by the GEO Group, one of the largest private prison companies in the country. The company has a long history of human rights abuses and has been repeatedly criticized for its mistreatment of detainees.
The investigation into Abienwi’s death revealed that on the morning of October 1st, GEO Group staff had falsely logged that they had conducted welfare checks on Abienwi every 15 minutes, as required by ICE standards. However, video footage from the facility showed that no checks were conducted during the time period in question. This deliberate falsification of records is a serious violation of ICE standards and raises questions about the company’s commitment to the safety and well-being of detainees.
Furthermore, the investigation also found that GEO Group staff had failed to provide Abienwi with proper medical care. He had complained of a headache and was seen by a nurse, but was not given any medication. Later that day, he was found unresponsive in his cell and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The cause of death was determined to be a brain hemorrhage.
This tragic incident highlights the dire need for accountability and oversight in the private prison industry. The GEO Group, along with other private prison companies, has a financial incentive to cut corners and prioritize profits over the well-being of detainees. This must change. The government must take responsibility for the treatment of immigrants in detention and ensure that their rights are protected.
The death of Nebane Abienwi is not an isolated incident. It is a result of a broken and inhumane immigration detention system that allows for-profit companies to operate with little oversight. The mistreatment and neglect of immigrants in detention facilities must end. It is time for the government to take action and hold private prison companies accountable for their actions.
In the wake of Abienwi’s death, there have been calls for ICE to end its contracts with private prison companies like the GEO Group. This is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. The government must also address the systemic issues within the immigration detention system and work towards creating a more humane and just system.
It is also crucial for the public to be aware of the mistreatment and abuses happening in these detention facilities. The media has a responsibility to shine a light on these issues and hold those in power accountable. The Intercept’s investigation into Abienwi’s death is a prime example of the important role that journalism plays in exposing injustices and demanding change.
In conclusion, the death of Nebane Abienwi in ICE custody is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for reform in the immigration detention system. The deliberate falsification of records by the GEO Group and the failure to provide proper medical care to Abienwi is unacceptable. It is time for the government to take action and put an end to the mistreatment of immigrants in detention. We must demand accountability and justice for all those who have suffered at the hands of the private prison industry. Only then can we truly call ourselves a just and humane society.
