FFI joined partners in New York to supplement previously submitted complaints filed on February 17, 2022, and April 20, 2022, seeking redress for ongoing civil rights violations against people detained at Orange County Correctional Facility (“OCCF”). This supplement is supported by information regarding the recent experiences of several individuals recently detained at OCCF, “Ms. Q”, “Ms. G”, and “Mr. D”. As the accounts of Ms. Q, Ms. G, and Mr. D describe, ICE and OCCF continue to violate the rights of people detained at OCCF. These rights include access to adequate medical care, access to safe and nutritious food, and non-punitive and safe conditions. In response to the inaction of DHS and OCCF, detained people, advocates, and government officials have continued to challenge the abuses endemic to the facility. Read the full complaint here.
Ongoing Racist and Retaliatory Abuse at Orange County Correctional Facility Supplement to Complaint Filed February 17, 2022
FFI and partner organizations in New York submitted this complaint seeking redress for ongoing civil rights violations against people detained at Orange County Correctional Facility (OCCF). Since filing a complaint on February 17, 2022, disturbing abuses persist at OCCF. This supplement is supported by the testimony of nine individuals formerly and currently detained at OCCF, including six declarants who submitted statements as part of the February complaint. Orange County Undersheriff Kenneth Jones, who has publicly acknowledged former ties to the Oath Keepers, continues to defend OCCF and claims that the link between Officer Richard Bloise and the email handle “nazikommando” “ha[d] been made some time in the past and was being investigated,” raising questions about how long OCCF has been aware of allegations of extremism within its ranks. Read the full complaint here.
Racist and Retaliatory Abuse, Violence, and Medical Neglect Endured by Individuals Detained at Orange County Correctional Facility
FFI joined partners in New York to submit this complaint seeking redress for racist and retaliatory abuse, use of violence, and medical neglect against individuals detained at the Orange County Correctional Facility (OCCF). This complaint is supported by the statements of ten individuals detained at OCCF who wish to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation. People detained at OCCF continue to report that jail officials individually and collectively engage in a culture of racist and retaliatory abuse, violence, and medical neglect. People in immigration detention have the right to freedom from racial and religious discrimination, freedom from First Amendment retaliation, adequate medical care, and non-punitive and safe conditions. Over the last several years, OCCF’s appalling conditions have been the subject of multiple complaints, lawsuits, and media reports. Read the full complaint here.