Statement by GEO Group on Adelanto ICE Processing Center OIG Inspection

“For purposes of background, The GEO Group manages and/or owns 139 correctional, detention and community reentry facilities. We manage these facilities on behalf of our customers, which include state corrections agencies, the U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

We take the findings outlined by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding the Adelanto ICE Processing Center very seriously. While we believe that a number of the findings lacked appropriate context or were based on incomplete information, we have already taken steps to remedy areas where our processes fell short of our commitment to high-quality care.

It’s important to note that in some instances, the report failed to consider all aspects related to the implementation of the federal government’s Performance-Based National Detention Standards. For the instances in which we have identified the standards were not properly met, GEO immediately worked with ICE to rectify procedures and has already implemented corrective actions and increased oversight and compliance measures well ahead of the public release of the OIG report. We are also conducting an in-depth review with our third-party medical services subcontractor to ensure all medical and dental care is provided at the highest quality and in a timely manner, and to hold accountable those who are not meeting these expectations.

Our commitment is always, first and foremost, to high-quality care. For over thirty years, our employees have taken pride in our ability to provide quality services in safe, secure and humane environments for those entrusted to our care, and these findings of inadequacies are not consistent with our core values.

We believe every human being entrusted to our care must be treated with dignity and his or her basic human rights must be respected and preserved at all times. Whenever and wherever these values are threatened, our company’s leadership will take appropriate action to ensure that standards are met, and – most importantly – these men and women are cared for and provided with quality services.

While we are proud of our record in providing safe and secure environments, we take full responsibility when faced with shortcomings and pledge to redouble our efforts to ensure safe and humane treatment in all of our facilities.”