Taylor, Tx Detention Center video

Taylor, Tx Detention Center video

http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_040174141.html Feb 9, 2007 4:41 pm
US/Central
Media Allowed To Tour Controversial Detention Center Keith Elkins Reporting
(CBS 42) TAYLOR For the very first time, Homeland Security officials allowed a
public look inside a controversial detention center.

The media was invited to tour the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, at 1001
Welch St. in Taylor. The center is being investigated by the American Civil
Liberties Union for alleged human rights violations.

What the media saw was exactly what the government wanted them to see, and
nothing else. The tour was very controlled and lasted just over an hour.

Media personnel were not allowed to talk to any of the nearly 400 detainees
accused of immigration violations, who represent more than two dozen different
countries.

Instead, they were allowed to see inside the dormitory housing units where
entire families are kept together--on average--for more than a month before they
are often deported out of this country. Ironically, for the past week the
American Civil Liberties Union has also been investigating the facility,
claiming a hunger strike took place there two weeks ago and alleging inadequate
medical care and inhumane treatment of children.

“Many children don't fully understand why they're even in here, they are not
criminals,” ACLU staff attorney Vanita Gupta said. “These are not young children
who have committed any kind of criminal act, these are innocent children who are
now being incarcerated and treated like criminals."

“There's been almost 2,000 people in this facility and anytime I’ve spoken with
reporters, and I’ve asked how many people have they spoken to, how many people
have come to them with these complaints, they're relatively small in number,”
said Gary Mead, assistant director for detention and removal operations. “I’ve
yet to be convinced they're not anecdotal in nature. "

The residential center does have the feel of a regular lockup type jail, but
officials insist dorm doors are not locked, no guards carry any type of gun or
weapon, and they say children's safety is their top priority.

This facility is a new tool in America’s arsenal to fight the war on terror. It
is designed to keep entire families together until their immigration case can be
resolved. Officials admit, with so many different nationalities and challenges,
they are constantly making changes along the way.

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