#United States #California #Class Action #Lawsuit #CoreCivic

Overview of the CoreCivic Class Action Lawsuit

In a significant legal development, a class action lawsuit has been filed against CoreCivic, Inc., a private company running detention facilities in the United States. The lawsuit, known as Owino, et. al. v. CoreCivic, Inc., is currently under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and raises serious allegations regarding the treatment of detainees held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Nature of the Allegations

The core of the lawsuit revolves around claims that CoreCivic violated the Federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) by coercing detainees to perform cleaning tasks beyond their personal living spaces. Detainees were allegedly threatened with punishment to ensure compliance, resulting in forced labor conditions. The areas purportedly involved include common facilities, recreation areas, washrooms, and kitchens.

In addition to these allegations, the lawsuit points out specific violations of the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act (CATVPA) concerning detainees working in California facilities. Complaints also extend to the Voluntary Work Program, where detainees claimed they were not compensated fairly, thus violating the state’s labor laws, including the requirement of minimum wage, accurate wage statements, and timely payment upon termination.

The plaintiffs in this case, referred to as Class Representatives, seek restitution and damages as permitted under both California and federal law, along with attorney fees incurred while pursuing this case.

CoreCivic's Position

In response to these claims, CoreCivic has denied all allegations, asserting that it never coerced detainees into performing tasks outside their immediate living conditions. The company maintains that any labor performed was voluntary and in compliance with relevant laws. Furthermore, CoreCivic contends that it should also be granted offsets against any claims for wages owing, based on the costs associated with the housing and maintenance of detainees engaged in the Voluntary Work Program.

Who Qualifies as a Class Member?

The class action lawsuit encompasses all individuals who were detained at CoreCivic facilities under specific conditions:

1. National Forced Labor Class: Detainees who served time at any CoreCivic facility from December 23, 2008, onward and were allegedly coerced into cleaning beyond their personal space.
2. California Forced Labor Class: Individuals detained at designated California CoreCivic facilities from January 1, 2006, onward under similar coercive conditions.
3. California Labor Law Class: Those in detention at the aforementioned California facilities between May 31, 2013, and the present who participated in the Voluntary Work Program.

Rights and Options for Class Members

Being a Class Member means you don’t need to take action to participate in the lawsuit; your legal representation will be managed by the Class Representatives and Class Counsel. However, this also means that any settlement resulting from the case may influence your individual rights. Consequently, Class Members must abide by any decisions from the court, whether they favor or disfavor their claims.

If you do not wish to be part of the class action, you possess the option of excluding yourself. This exclusion would allow you to maintain the right to pursue similar claims independently. To do so, you must complete and submit an Exclusion Request Form before the specified deadline, which is March 26, 2025.

Conclusion

The ongoing CoreCivic lawsuit serves as a crucial reminder of the legal protections available to detainees and the importance of recognizing their rights under current legislation. As developments unfold, affected individuals are encouraged to seek further information and legal advice to explore their options within this legal context.