Sen. Perez’s SB 957 would direct AG to design oversight plan for private civil detention facilities

Sen. Perez told the Assembly Appropriations Committee that SB 957, the Protecting Vulnerable Immigrant Detainees Act, directs the attorney general to develop a comprehensive oversight plan for privately operated civil detention facilities to protect the health, safety and welfare of detainees. The author cited an attorney general report describing "cruel, inhumane, and unacceptable conditions," and said the report included "6 deaths in less than a year" while noting that last year 32 people died in ICE custody.

Ronald Coleman Vayesa of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) described specific problems he said CHIRLA has documented in facilities: detainees given raw or uncooked food, widespread medical neglect, and mismanaged chronic conditions such as diabetes. "This lack of basic health and safety standard has no place in any facility within California's borders and it must be addressed," he said.

Christopher Sanchez, representing Inclusive Action, also registered organizational support for the bill. A committee member moved SB 957; the clerk recorded the measure as advanced on a due-pass roll call with Mr. Hoover not voting.

The bill, as presented, directs the attorney general's office to prepare an oversight plan so legislators can consider statutory or budgetary responses next year.