New Jersey Sues GEO Group Over 1,000-Bed Delaney Hall, Seeking Health Inspectors' Access
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 2
New Jersey Sues GEO Group Over 1,000-Bed Delaney Hall, Seeking Health Inspectors' Access
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 2
New Jersey sued GEO Group on Tuesday to force access for state health officials to Delaney Hall in Newark, saying inspectors were blocked from fully examining the immigration detention center.
Friday's attempted inspection was limited to food service areas, while the state and Newark cite allegations of inadequate medical care, psychological abuse, unsanitary conditions and spoiled food.
The legal move follows days of protests after detainees' representatives said some people inside began a hunger and labor strike over conditions; DHS denies both the strike and claims of mistreatment.
Newark already has a 2025 lawsuit over permits and says it may seek to shut the facility if inspections remain blocked, while Gov. Mikie Sherrill has deployed state troopers and imposed tighter control around the site.
Amid conflicting reports, what is the truth about conditions inside the Delaney Hall detention center?
Why can a $1B federal contract allow a private prison to block state health inspections?
With ex-executives overseeing contracts, can federal oversight of private prisons remain impartial?
Denied Access and Escalating Protests: Inside New Jersey’s Fight Over Delaney Hall ICE Detention Facility
Overview
The crisis at Delaney Hall in Newark has intensified as New Jersey officials, including Governor Mikie Sherrill and the Department of Health, were denied access to the facility. This denial comes amid a year-long lawsuit by the city of Newark against the GEO Group, which operates Delaney Hall and is accused of lacking proper certifications. Progress in the lawsuit has been slow, prompting a federal judge to appoint a mediator in April, with both sides facing a June 15 deadline to resolve the dispute. These escalating legal and access battles highlight the urgent and complex situation surrounding Delaney Hall.