– Kansas county officials unanimously vote against turning a former private federal jail into a detention center for immigration enforcement
– CoreCivic, the country’s largest private prison operator, previously ran a federal pretrial detention center in Leavenworth
– The plans raised significant controversies among local advocates
– These events spark discussions on if the utilization of jails for immigration law enforcement is ethical
Unanimous Vote Halts Controversial Jail Conversion
A potential controversy was nipped in the bud in Kansas’s Leavenworth County as officials unanimously voted to put an end to discussions regarding the conversion of a former private federal jail into an immigration enforcement detention center.
For years, the jail was administered by CoreCivic, the nation’s flagship private prison operator. The facility in Leavenworth was a pretrial detention center for individuals charged, though not convicted, of federal crimes in Kansas.
Advocates and Activists Applaud Decision
The plans to convert the jail had stirred heavy unrest among Kansas’s advocacy groups and activist circles. For them, it would have underscored a contentious issue of using local jail facilities to enforce immigration laws — a matter that has been a hot-button subject in the realm of human rights and civil liberties.
Ripples into Missouri Politics
While this incident took place in Kansas, neighboring state Missouri has also had its own history with immigration law enforcement controversies. As such, this decision could set a precedent and ignite similar discussions within Missouri’s own localities.
The Breezy Take
This unanimous decision by the Leavenworth County officials represents a poignant reflection of the contentious issues surrounding the use of local jail facilities for immigration law enforcement. It not only reflects local disapproval, but it also sends a pretty clear message about the unacceptability of certain practices. While the situation unfolded in Kansas, it undeniably casts ripples into Missouri’s politic waters, potentially setting the stage for similar future deliberations. In the larger context, the evolution of this story could be pivotal in driving the narrative on immigration enforcement, human rights, and civil liberties.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/21/kansas-county-scuttles-talk-of-converting-leavenworth-jail-to-ice-detention-center/