Lawsuit Claims Prison Forced Detainees to Work for Pennies

FREE Case evaluation

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

Lawsuit Claims Private Prison Company Forced Detainees to Work for Pennies Per HourLawsuit Claims Private Prison Company Forced Detainees to Work for Pennies Per Hour

CoreCivic, the country’s largest private prison company, has been accused of violating a federal anti-human trafficking law in a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday.

The lawsuit was filed for the Middle District of Georgia on behalf of three immigrant detainees — Wilhen Hill Barrientos, Margarito Velazquez Galicia, and Shoahib Ahmed. The three claimed that the detention center forced them to work for $1 to $4 a day for chores like, mopping the floors, cleaning toilets and serving meals, and were told to use their wages to buy toilet paper and other hygiene products. They also had to use the money they earned to purchase phone card to call their family.

Immigrants who refused to participate in the work program can face criminal charges or up to 30 days in solitary confinement.

“When I arrived at Stewart I was faced with an impossible choice — either work for a few cents an hour or live without basic things like soap, shampoo, deodorant, and food,” Barrientos said in a statement. “If I didn’t work, I would never be able to call my family.”

The lawsuit also claimed that the dormitories have poor living conditions.

“The lights in these dorms are on all day and night, requiring some detained immigrants to fold socks over their eyes in order to sleep. There is one bathroom in these dorms with three to four toilets, three to four urinals, and four sinks. This shared bathroom is often filthy, to the extent that the pod residents at times have to plug or cover their noses to avoid the overwhelming and festering stench. The showers in the open dormitories do not have temperature control and provide only extremely hot water. The open dormitories are also the site of frequent conflict and even violence,” the lawsuit said.

Barrientos said he was put in medical segregation for a couple of months for filing grievance against a guard who made him work while he was sick. Ahmed said that he was punished with isolation for 10 days for threatening a work action.

The plaintiffs demand that the prison ends its forced labor regime, in addition to compensation.

CoreCivic spokesman Jonathan Burns said that it’s the company policy to not comment on pending lawsuits, but mentioned that “all work programs at our ICE detention facilities are completely voluntary and operated in full compliance with ICE standards, including federally mandated statutory reimbursement rates for Voluntary Work Program participants.”

If you are interested in reading more articles like this one, check out Cohen & Cohen and their intriguing news stories.

Personal Injury Attorneys In:

Washington DC | Maryland | Virginia

workers compensation attorneys in dc

Featured on:

Injury Attorneys DC, MD, VA – Get the Compensation You Deserve! Whether you have been injured in a car accident, a malpractice victim, injured on the job, as the result of shoddy craftsmanship, or in a slip and fall, we can help! Our experienced, competent attorneys excel in all areas of personal injury law.

PRACTICE AREAS

Catastrophic Injuries DC, MD, VA

Automobile Accidents DC, MD, VA

Workers’ Compensation DC, MD, VA

Slip and Fall DC, MD, VA

Medical Malpractice DC, MD, VA

Wrongful Death DC, MD, VA

Truck Accidents DC, MD, VA

Motorcycle Accidents DC, MD, VA

Metro Train Accident DC, MD, VA

FREE CASE EVALUATION

Our team is available and ready to help you with your case. Feel free to contact us via the form below or call us 24/7 at 202-955-4529

RECENT POSTS

Client Review

"My experience with Cohen & Cohen was beyond my expectations. Jill did an amazing job with negotiating on my behalf and got me way more money than I anticipated. Thank you for having my back."
L Proctor
Client Review

"I am very pleased with the outcome of my case. I received more than the amount that I originally thought and am very satisfied with how my case turned out. Jill, the attorney working on my case did an excellent job advocating for me to the insurance company and getting me a good settlement. A special shout out to Bryan Moran, who always kept me posted on the updates of my case and was always super responsive to my questions. They are a really thoughtful team, I would definitely recommend to my friends and family."
Carolina Bazan
Client Review

Hear from our clients

If you have been injured, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation today. Our staff is available 24/7 to assist you.

Cohen & Cohen has an  impeccable Client Satisfaction Rating with hundreds of
5 STAR Reviews. We are among the best-rated firms in the areas we serve.

Cohen & Cohen has an  impeccable Client Satisfaction Rating with hundreds of
5 STAR Reviews. We are among the best-rated firms in the areas we serve.

L Proctor
August 30, 2022.
My experience with Cohen &Cohen was beyond my expectations. Jill did an amazing job with negotiating on my behalf and got me way more money than I anticipated. Thank you for having my back.
Ebony Stoutmiles
June 23, 2022.
To say that I am happy with the outcome of my case is the understatement of the century! Jill Stanley is a BEAST at what she does. That is the only way to explain it. She takes no prisoners. She and her team are very skilled and knowledgeable. I am so happy I trusted them to do their job and rolled with Jill's suggestions. I would choose Jill again 100 times. She settled my case for more than I imagined I would receive. I was literally in tears. It is the best feeling to know my pain isn't for naught. Wayne Cohen and Kristopher Yorke were nothing short of amazing. They have the patience of saints. I'm 100% certain that I got on their last nerves with my frustration and tears at every other call I had with them. Being in pain and wanting to just be able to heal was all I could focus on, but they helped me realize that I also had to focus on the bigger picture (the case) so I could put this piece behind me. As a high-strung individual with anxiety, it was hard for me to not worry and let them do their jobs, but they reassured me all of the time that they had this. To be injured before the start of the pandemic and have to receive regular, weekly treatment while others are able to stay home is anxiety inducing. I was in pain, I was anxious, and I was just hoping it all worked out. It more than worked out. I hope Jill, Siri, and Kris know how much their hard work and "hanging in there" meant to me. I am eternally grateful. I can't recommend you all enough. If you choose this law firm, you won't be sorry!
Beloved Temple
June 3, 2022.
I was very pleased with the handling of my case and settlement with Cohen& Cohen. I appreciate them, would highly recommend them.
willie howell
May 25, 2022.
COHEN & COHEN ARE THE BEST I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CAR CRASH AND 2 YEARS LATER I HAVE RECEIVED MY SETTLEMENT I AM VERY EXCITED TO SAY BRYAN!!! IS THE MAN HE INSURED THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF ME AND THEY DID 100% ANY QUESTIONS I ASKED THEY WERE ANSWERED. Jill and SIRI WAS ALSO REMARKABLE AND SHOWED THEY REALLY CARED I RECOMMEND COHEN &COHEN TO ANYONE THEY ALSO MADE SURE I GOT MORE THAN EXPECTED WHICH WAS AMAZING I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS THANK U💯
Jose Rivera
May 25, 2022.
The legal team at cohen & cohen did a great job I really appreciate the hard work on gating my compensation in a fair amount of time. Special thanks to Kris for a wonderful job
Lea Harvey
May 25, 2022.
I had a great experience with the team at Cohen & Cohen. From my intake attorney, Adam, to the paralegal, Bryan, who worked with me regularly for months to document and prepare my case, to Jill, the attorney who secured my settlement, I feel fortunate to have had their representation and expertise on my side.
Cameron Galloway (HustleDaGod)
May 19, 2022.
Kris was phenomenal. Spectacular communication & knowledge in regards to my case. Would definitely return if I needed more legal services. 100% definitely recommend.

Best Personal Injury Lawyer in DC

SuperLawyers2010
SuperLawyers2011
SuperLawyers2012
SuperLawyers2014

Cohen & Cohen Has Been Featured On

FREE CASE EVALUATION

Our team is available and ready to help you with your case. Feel free to contact us via the form below or call us 24/7 at 202-955-4529

9 + 2 =

Read more: