Berlin, New Hampshire Prison to House ICE Detainees Amid Controversy
Confirmed: Berlin, N.H., federal prison housing ICE detainees
Image: The Boston Globe
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has confirmed that the Berlin prison in New Hampshire will house ICE detainees, as part of a broader plan involving four other facilities. Civil liberties advocates criticize this decision, citing concerns over the treatment and legal representation of detainees, estimated to exceed 100 individuals.
- 01The Berlin prison in New Hampshire is one of five facilities now housing ICE detainees, alongside locations in Miami, Atlanta, Leavenworth, and Philadelphia.
- 02The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire estimates that over 100 individuals are currently detained at the Berlin facility for ICE.
- 03Advocates argue that housing immigrants facing civil charges in a medium-security prison is inappropriate and detrimental to their access to family and legal services.
- 04The Federal Bureau of Prisons has not disclosed the number of detainees or the costs associated with preparing the facility for ICE use.
- 05Concerns have been raised about the treatment and conditions of detainees at the Berlin prison, with ACLU officials describing the situation as 'harrowing.'
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The Federal Bureau of Prisons has officially confirmed that the Berlin prison in New Hampshire will be used to house detainees for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This decision follows a leaked memo from February indicating plans to partner with ICE at five facilities, which also include prisons in Miami, Atlanta, Leavenworth, and Philadelphia. While the Bureau has not provided specific details on the number of detainees or the costs incurred for preparing the Berlin facility, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire estimates that over 100 individuals are currently being held there. Civil liberties advocates have expressed significant concern about this arrangement, arguing that it is inappropriate to detain immigrants facing civil charges in a medium-security prison far from their families and legal support. Gilles Bissonnette, the ACLU's legal director, described the situation as 'harrowing' and criticized the use of the Berlin facility for such purposes, emphasizing the potential negative impact on detainees' treatment and rights.
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The decision to house ICE detainees at the Berlin prison impacts local communities, particularly families and advocates who may struggle to support their detained relatives.
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