FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

CJ Frogozo, cj@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 310.570.2622

Kayla Keller, kayla@fitzgibbonmedia.com, 281.682.6212

New York, NY: Recently, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FDJJ) ended a $3,527,552 contract with Youth Services International (YSI), one of the notorious for-profit prison corporations, for the Santa Rosa Substance Abuse Treatment Center. All children, ages 14-18, have been relocated to other facilities across the state and YSI is banned from applying for additional state contracts for 12 months.

ColorOfChange Executive Director Rashad Robinson stated, “Secretary Daly’s decision to cancel this YSI contract is a critical step in the right direction towards ending Florida’s shameful youth private prisons. Forty children are now safer from YSI’s devastating for-profit abuse and neglect, and the company’s ability to continue torturing youth in some of the worst conditions in the country has been dealt a major blow.”

In explaining the closure, FDJJ Secretary Daly cited reports of excessive force, abuse, and security issues, stating the department was left “with no choice but to terminate the contract for cause.” Consistent investigations into YSI have revealed a horrifying pattern of sexual abuse, medical neglect, unsanitary food, and corruption, fueled by a well-connected lobbying arm. In 2013, a Florida YSI prison had the highest sexual abuse rates of 36 reviewed Florida facilities.

In June, ColorOfChange launched a public campaign calling on the state of Florida to cancel all for-profit youth prison contracts. Florida’s entire youth prison system is run by private corporations.

Rashad Robinson continued, “Not only have thousands of ColorOfChange members signed on to this petition but we have also been in discussion with officials to see an end to private prisons in Florida and throughout the country. And there is much more to be done. Florida Governor Scott and Secretary Daly must take definitive action to end all YSI contracts and deprivatize the FDJJ. As long as the state continues to do business with YSI, CCA, G4S, and GEO Group, the safety and rehabilitation of Florida youth will be sacrificed for corporate profits. Our youth are not for sale.”

The campaign may be seen here: https://colorofchange.org/campaign/FL_private_prisons/

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With more than 900,000 members,ColorOfChange.org is the nation’s largest online civil rights organization.