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The Dauphin County Prison Board of Inspectors has voted 4-3 to limit inmate transfers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The decision, made on Wednesday (May 20), means the prison will no longer detain, delay release, or transfer inmates to ICE based solely on civil immigration detainers. Instead, ICE will need a warrant signed by a judge for such actions.
The resolution, led by County Commissioner Justin Douglas, aims to protect inmates' constitutional rights and reduce potential liability for the county. Douglas emphasized that "80% of people in ICE custody have no criminal record," highlighting the civil nature of many detainers. The resolution does not end cooperation with ICE but requires valid judicial warrants or other legal authority for continued detention or transfer.
The resolution follows concerns about the treatment of inmates, including the case of Chaofeng Ge, who died by suicide after being transferred to an ICE facility. Dauphin County was criticized for not providing adequate medical documentation to ICE, leading to increased scrutiny of the county's cooperation with the agency.
Despite the vote, some board members, like Sheriff Nick Chimienti Jr., expressed concerns about the resolution's implications. However, Dauphin County Attorney General Fran Chardo supported the need for judicial oversight.
The resolution requires the prison warden to develop local policy and procedures for board approval within 30 days. The public is invited to attend the next board meeting to discuss the resolution further.