Coalition Files FOIA Request

on Private Prison Company Accused of Sexual Abuse

in Mississippi

GEO, lobbying to re-open shuttered
Michigan facility, also hit with $1.4 million in fines and penalties for understaffing in New Mexico

Lansing: We Are The People Michigan, a citizen coalition, filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Michigan Department of Corrections today, seeking any and all communications related to the GEO Group Inc., the controversial private prison company currently lobbying to re-open a shuttered facility in Baldwin, Michigan.

“The U.S. Department of Justice investigated a GEO youth prison in Mississippi, and found documented evidence of guards having sex with inmates, inmates raping other inmates, guards routinely beating inmates and using pepper spray without justification,” said Todd Cook, director of We Are the People, Michigan.

“The state of Mississippi fired GEO, and the state of New Mexico has just imposed $1.4 million in fines and penalties for understaffing.

“Is this what we’re telling companies with a record of negligence and abuse – if you’re kicked out of Mississippi and fined in New Mexico, you can come do business in Michigan? We need to get to the bottom of this, and that’s why we’re filing a FOIA request today.”

In November 2011, Rep. John Bumstead (R-Newaygo) received an out-of-state campaign contribution from Cloid Shuler, vice president of Business Development for GEO Group. Days later, he introduced HB 5174, which could allow the Florida-based private prison corporation to re-open a shuttered facility it owns in Bumstead’s district in Baldwin, Michigan.

Michigan ended its contract with GEO in 2006, after a Michigan Auditor General’s report found GEO’s private Baldwin facility was more expensive than state-run prisons, costing taxpayers as much as $7.5 million a year.

HB 5174 is still before the legislature. According to a recent report from Gongwer News Service, it is yet to be determined whether the bill will allow any private prison company to bid on a new contract with the state, or be exclusive to the GEO Group facility in Bumstead’s district. An omnibus state budget bill, passed by the House, provides for closure of the Ionia Reformatory and potential transfer of inmates to a private facility.

“It makes no sense to close a public facility and transfer prisoners to a more expensive private prison,” said Cook. “Especially a company like the GEO Group.”

A federal judge described the GEO Group’s Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility in Mississippi as a “cesspool.” A March, 2012 report by the U.S. Department of Justice documents horrific conditions in the facility, including:

· Prison staff having sex with incarcerated youth, and inmates being raped by other inmates.

· "The sexual misconduct we found,” DOJ investigators wrote, was among the worst that we have seen in any facility anywhere in the nation."

· Guards beat youth and used excessive pepper spray as a first response.

· "[D]eliberate indifference" to prisoners possessing homemade knives, which were used in gang fights and inmate rapes.

· Some guards had gang affiliations.

· No functioning alarm system in large areas of the prison.

Also in March, inmates at Walnut Grove settled a class action lawsuit against GEO Group and the state of Mississippi, providing that children and teens would no longer be housed in the GEO-run facility. In April, according a report on National Public Radio, the state of Mississippi announced it would seek new management for three GEO-run prisons in the state "in hopes of gaining better performance and prices."

GEO has also been hit with $1.4 million in fines and penalties for failure to provide enough correction officers to maintain secure operations in a facility it runs in Hobbs, New Mexico.

“If we give another prison contract to a private company with a record as bad as the GEO, it looks like a lawsuit waiting to happen,” said Cook. “Why would we expose Michigan taxpayers to that kind of potential liability?”

We Are the People is a statewide coalition of students, seniors and workers fighting to protect Michigan’s middle class families.

The UAW Local 6000 and MCO learned at any time the private prison bills (HB 5174 & 5177) could come up for a vote in the State House. The legislation would allow a private facility to open in Lake County. This could cause the closure of two state prisons. Legislation to allow private prisons has already passed the State Senate.

People must continue to call their State Representative. We need to act now even if you’ve already made a call. AND, we need you to spread the word and share this number from MCO 1-877-279-1443, with friends, family co-workers.

Also go too uawlocal6000.org and hit the Legislative Tab on the left side of the page for help contacting your State Representative and State Senator.

State Rep. Nancy Jenkins (R) has two State facilities in her district, give her a call 517-1706

Private prisons are dangerous and harmful to our communities and fail to deliver on savings. The Gov. Snyder and the State Legislature also will cut 100 Parole/ Probation Agents positions from the FY 2013 budget. This must not happen!

For more than 36 years, Black Lake has been a place where UAW members and their families come together for an experience that combines education with relaxation. It's a place to learn about our union, unlock ideas and build friendships with other working families throughout the United States. It's a summer experience that will leave you filled with a spirit guaranteed to strengthen your understanding and appreciation for today's labor unions.

Local 6000 Recording Secretary, Sandra Masarik has resigned from her position effective April 30, 2012. Masarik was in her third term as Recording Secretary. She also was elected as Local Representative in Region 1-C for four terms and served on numerous Committees.

As a state employee for over 34 years, she worked in administrative support in DELEG, DHS and SOS.

Local 6000 President, Ed Mitchell will make a temporary appointment to fill the vacant position until an election can be held.

Local 6000 wish Sandra the best in her retirement adventures.

We want to make sure that Local 6000 members knows that MFPP is here to provide free and confidential services to assist our Members with mortgage foreclosure issues.

The link, www.FightMortgageForeclosure.com, will connect you to a reliable source for information on mortgage foreclosure, available options, and answers to frequently asked questions. Most important, by filling out the online application you will be assigned to a member of the MSHDA Certified Counseling Staff who will work with you to determine what your options are and advocate for you with your Lender.

Following are Quick Facts on MFPP that may be of interest to you.

Quick Facts: Wayne County Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program

§ MFPP is a free taxpayer-supported service for Wayne County residents.

§ MFPP has assisted over 5000 residents.

§ One (1) in every thirty one (31) Wayne County homes was in foreclosure in 2010.

§ Only about 50% of families in foreclosure reach out for help and most of them are not aware of free housing counseling services available

§ MFPP has a home retention rate of 58%, for residents that do seek assistance, which is twice the national average.

§ MFPP is a HUD certified agency with counselors certified by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Please fit this into your schedule it is very important we (UAW) lend our support to this issue as it affects each and every one of us.

We need every fighter for voter rights and for ending the dictatorial PA 4 law to come to Lansing Thursday, April 26, for the 10 am vote on certifying our petitions to go on the November ballot. The State Board of Canvassers moved their meeting to the Lansing Center, which is at 333 E. Michigan Avenue, Room 102.

The Lansing Center can be reached by exiting I-496 at Grand, turn right and follow (about 1 mile) to E. Michigan; turn right and cross river (one block) and the Lansing Center will be on your left. A visible hotel (Marriott?) is at the intersection of Grand and Michigan.

Please urge members near Lansing to come, OUR VOICES MUST BE HEARD. Please pass this information on to your contacts.