Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Sunday, October 07, 2007

County May Not Renew CCA Immigration Prison Contract

The Associated Press

Williamson County commissioners told the county attorney on Tuesday to draft a notice telling the federal government that they don't plan to renew a contract next year for a detention center that houses immigrant families.

The county owns the building in Taylor that contains the T. Don Hutto Family Residential Facility, a former state prison where immigrant families are held while their immigration cases are decided.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracts with Corrections Corp. of America to run the facility. The contract expires on Oct. 2, 2008.

Commissioners plan to review the drafted document next week and decide whether to submit it, county spokeswoman Connie Watson said.

"All commissioners and the county judge support the federal government's position on immigration," Watson said. "However, they felt being administrators of the contract was putting the county in a position where it could be ... liable for a facility it does not operate."

ICE spokesman Richard Rocha said Williamson County has been in constant communication with the government.

"ICE appreciates all the county has done in support of the facility," he said.

Under the contract with the county, the 512-bed former prison is operated by Corrections Corp. of America with oversight by ICE. The federal government pays about $2.8 million each month. Most of the money goes to the company.


Star-Telegram