Conditions at the NWDC: The NWDC’s Unenforced Contract

  • Date: 2025
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As part of an ongoing multi-part investigation of human rights concerns at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma, WA, this report reviews contract enforcement mechanisms included in the contract between GEO Group and ICE to run and operate the Northwest Detention Center.

Summary of Findings

  • The contract between ICE and GEO Group for operation of the Northwest ICE Processing Center/NWDC expires in September 2025; in the current climate, it is likely to be renewed for an extended period.
  • The contract includes extensive enforcement mechanisms and references to ICE standards, which are cited by ICE in response to criticisms of conditions at the facility.
  • UWCHR has filed multiple FOIA requests over a period of years for various categories of records mandated under the facility’s contract, but in many cases ICE has responded that the required records do not exist; Members of Congress have also been unable to obtain records required under the contract.
  • Despite documented failures to uphold contract standards, GEO Group has never been sanctioned by ICE under the terms of the contract.
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