Press Statement  AG Healey’s Statement in Response to Decision by U.S. Department of Homeland Security to Terminate Contracts With Bristol County Sheriff’s Office

BOSTON — Today, Massachusetts Attorney General issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to terminate contracts with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) to house federal immigration detainees at the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction and participate in immigration enforcement.

“We commend DHS for ending its partnership with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, which has a long history of abuse and neglect of immigration detainees. Our extensive investigation and advocacy have made it clear that the Sheriff’s Office is not willing to take any steps to protect the rights and safety of detainees, and that ICE must sever ties with BCSO. This decision under the Biden Administration ensures that the civil rights of immigrants are protected and not violated in a callous disregard for human life and dignity.”

After an extensive investigation into a May 1, 2020 incident at Bristol County Jail and House of Correction, Attorney General Maura Healey issued a December 2020 report finding that the BCSO violated the civil rights of federal immigration detainees during the course of responding to a disturbance in the unit where the detainees were housed. The AG’s Office recommended a series of reforms to address the systemic issues at the facility, ensure public health and safety, and protect the rights of detainees. One of those recommendations was that DHS terminate its partnership with the BCSO.

Last month, the AG’s Office reached out to newly appointed DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to share the report findings and ask DHS to terminate its contracts with BCSO.

Read the December 2020 report here.