Call To Rescind Private Prison Contract
Today, Colorado Citizens for Ethics in Government, CCJRC and Rep. Buffie McFadyen (D-PuebloWest) called a press conference to ask Governor Ritter and of DOC Director Ari Zavaras to terminate the contract that was signed by the State of Colorado and the GEO group to build a 1500 bed private prison in Ault.
CCJRC states that we have no confidence in the integrity of the bidding and procurement process given the clear conflict of interest and misconduct when Nolin Renfrow, who is currently under investigation by the CBI for his role in the negotiations, provided private consultation services to the GEO Group in the development of their bid in response to the 2005 RFP while still employed by the Department of Corrections. Mr. Renfrow's private company stands to make $1 million dollars off the contract.
Given the GEO group's failure to perform on a prior contract to build a private prison in Pueblo, CCJRC doesn't believe that the GEO group could have met the statutory requirements for receiving another contract to build and operate a private prison.
The evidence also suggests that the GEO Group did not submit their bid in response to the 2005 RFP in good faith and failed to disclose their intention to ultimately request public financing and a bed guarantee, if awarded the contract. Since being awarded the contract, the GEO Group's demand for a bed guarantee and/or public financing is an attempt to change the material terms of the contract which is, in and of itself, grounds to terminate the contract. Neither a bed guarantee nor public financing are in the best interests of Colorado taxpayers and must be rejected.
Colorado Citizens for Ethics in Government issued an open records request today to determine
whether the GEO Group was legitimately awarded the Ault prison contract and to what extent Mr. Renfrow unlawfully influenced the bidding process.
Tomorrow morning, CCJRC is making a presentation on additional concerns about private prisons before the House Judiciary Committee. If you would like to join us, we will be there at 9:30 in Room 0112 in the basement of the Capitol.
3 comments:
Is there anything that can be done when a jail keeps inmates in lockdown 23 hours a day?
I wish there was. Human rights advocates have been trying for years, but jails can always fall back on security issues.
I have a husband in one of the private facilities and am appauled at how it is run. How the inmates are treated is a shame. They are already doing their time and yet these people feel that abuse is part of the package. I was not aware that we send these people do serve their time and have to take such abuse. Something needs to be done.
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