Wyatt Detention Center Board Votes to Reverse Recent Decision - Will Now Accept ICE Detainees

Wyatt Detention Center Board Votes to Reverse Recent Decision - Will Now Accept ICE Detainees

The Wyatt Detention Center Board voted to stay the suspension of the facility’s contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during an emergency meeting held on Sunday, April 14.

The Detention Center will again accept ICE detainees.

“The Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation’s Board convened an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss ongoing litigation. As a result of that discussion, the Board voted to stay the suspension of our contract with ICE. This vote was made to comply with a Federal Court directive and to show good faith as we enter a Court ordered mediation process, which begins today, with bond holders,” said Board Chair Joseph Molina Flynn.

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A conference with federal Magistrate Judge Patricia Sullivan is scheduled for Monday at 2:00 p.m.

Issues at Wyatt

As GoLocalProv reported more than a week ago, Boston attorney Adrienne K. Walker, who is representing the bondholders for the Wyatt Detention Center, claimed that Central Falls officials -- specifically Mayor James Diossa and City Attorney Matt Jerzyk -- have acted recklessly and put people at risk.

In the letter sent to Diosso and Jerzyk -- with Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and others cc'd -- Walker wrote, "Your actions to incite demonstrations at the Wyatt is reckless and directly threatens the safety of the detainees and the Corporation’s dedicated employees.”

Walker charges that Diossa’s actions were intentional and put both staff and detainees at risk.

Wyatt Detention Facility Ruled “Humane” and “Operating Well”

Last week, the Wyatt Detention Facility released a series of reviews and inspections that found that the facility is “humane” and “operating well,” as GoLocal reported.

Reviews and Inspections

On April 9-11, 2019 the facility underwent an inspection on 39 National Detention Standards as they pertain to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees and their treatment. 

A group of subject-matter experts from around the country reviewed operations from safety, security, detainee rights and health services provided, including access to and quality of medical care.

Preliminary findings by ICE indicate that the facility is meeting or exceeding all requirements and providing services required on a daily basis to ensure all detainees are treated in a fair and humane way.

Over the past ten years, the Wyatt has also undergone nine quality assurance reviews conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). These reviews were conducted in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

All resulted in at least a satisfactory or acceptable rating. In 2014 and 2017, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) conducted Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) audits and determined that the Wyatt was fully compliant with all requirements. ICE also conducted pre-occupancy inspections in 2014 and 2016 and found no deficiencies.

As these numerous audits and reviews show, the Wyatt has been subjected to constant scrutiny and oversight, and has been found to be operating well.