Geo Group settles $1-a-day detention labor suit before Denver trial
Private prison operator ends 14-year lawsuit with former Aurora detainees in an undisclosed deal.
By Martin Reynolds ·
Geo Group reached a settlement with former detainees of its Aurora immigrant detention center on Monday, ending a lawsuit that was set to go to trial in federal court in Denver that same day.
The private prison company, which has operated the facility for approximately 40 years, agreed to resolve the case in the 11th hour. Court filings released Monday did not disclose the specific terms or financial details of the agreement.
The lawsuit challenged Geo Group's detainee labor program. Plaintiffs alleged the Florida-based company required six randomly selected individuals from each housing unit to clean their living quarters or face solitary confinement. The suit also claimed the company gained unjust enrichment through a voluntary work program that paid detainees $1 per day for various jobs inside the facility. Geo Group expects to generate $3 billion in revenue this year.
Hans Meyer, an attorney representing the former detainees, declined to comment on the specific settlement figures. However, he released a statement on behalf of the legal team addressing the conclusion of the 14-year legal fight.
Meyer stated that his clients suffered inhumane treatment while locked in a center just a few miles from the federal courthouse. He added that the settlement demonstrates the legal system can still provide justice for marginalized individuals despite long odds.
Geo Group did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the settlement.
Source: The Denver Post · original report published
