What protections against abuse, harassment, and sexual misconduct exist (GEO policies that apply to El Centro)
Worried about abuse, harassment, or sexual misconduct? Here's what GEO says its facilities are required to do. These company-level commitments come from GEO's Global Human Rights Policy—standards that apply to all GEO operations, including El Centro.
GEO's Global Human Rights Policy sets a baseline: people in its care have inherent human rights and must be treated with dignity. This isn't just a vague value statement. It's the foundation GEO uses to describe how people in custody should be protected every day - including the expectation that intimidation and mistreatment won't be tolerated.
Oversight: GEO says its Board of Directors and the Board’s Human Rights Committee oversee the implementation and effectiveness of the Global Human Rights Policy.
On misconduct, GEO states it is
GEO ties that standard to action. The policy says formal complaints are promptly investigated. That commitment matters when someone fears they won't be believed or worries nothing will happen. On paper, a formal report should trigger a real investigative process - not get ignored or delayed.
Beyond internal rules, GEO points to external standards. The policy references American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditation and Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance and certification. In plain terms: these are frameworks GEO cites to show there are defined expectations around safety, conditions, and preventing sexual abuse - not just informal promises.
GEO also describes oversight above the facility level. The company says its Board of Directors and the Board's Human Rights Committee oversee implementation and effectiveness of the Global Human Rights Policy, with annual reviews. For families, this is key: GEO is saying these protections aren't just local rules - they're part of a company-wide structure that leadership is supposed to monitor.
Paper trail you can ask about: GEO says it publishes human-rights metrics and other information that can be used to evaluate its commitment to respecting human rights.
GEO's policy also addresses coercion in another form: labor. It states that GEO enforces strict policies prohibiting forced labor and child labor across its operations, contractors, and third-party suppliers. If your loved one is offered a work assignment, know that forced labor is not allowed under GEO's stated standards.
How Families Can Follow Up
- ✓ Ask your loved one to use the facility’s grievance options described in GEO policy: informal discussions with facility leadership and secure channels like drop boxes.
- ✓ If a formal complaint is filed, ask (in writing when possible) what the next steps are and when the complaint will be investigated, since GEO states formal complaints are promptly investigated.
- ✓ Keep your own timeline: dates, names, housing unit (if known), what was reported, and what response you received. This helps you stay consistent if the story changes.
- ✓ When you talk to staff or administrators, ask what standards the facility follows, including whether operations are aligned with ACA accreditation guidelines and PREA compliance/certification expectations that GEO references.
- ✓ Ask where you can find GEO’s published human-rights metrics and what information is available that relates to safety and protection issues.
- ✓ If your loved one says they’re afraid of retaliation, encourage them to use secure reporting channels and to be specific about what happened, who was involved, and when.
Reality check: Even when complaints are investigated, you may not be told details or outcomes. Document what you report, then ask about process and timelines so you can track whether the facility is following through.
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