IF YOU WERE DETAINED AT A CORECIVIC CENTER IN THE UNITED STATES, PLEASE READ THIS SUMMARY NOTICE CAREFULLY: YOUR RIGHTS MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.
SOURCE Kroll Settlement Administration
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Class Counsel issues the following statement in connection with a class action lawsuit against CoreCivic, Inc.
What is this notice about?
There is currently a pending class action lawsuit concerning individuals who were detained in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) at a facility owned or operated by CoreCivic, Inc. (“CoreCivic”). If you are a Class Member, you have legal rights and options that you can exercise in this case, which are described below. This class action lawsuit is being overseen by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The lawsuit is known as Owino, et. al. v. CoreCivic, Inc., No. 3:17-cv-01112-JLS-NLS (S.D. Cal.).
This is just a summary. You can learn more about the class action lawsuit on the website at www.coreciviclaborclassaction.com or by calling 1-(833)-537-1187.
What is the lawsuit about?
The lawsuit alleges that CoreCivic violated the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) by coercing and forcing detainees to clean the facility beyond the personal cleaning duties listed in ICE’s Performance-Based National Detention Standards under threat of punishment. The areas that detainees were coerced and forced to clean included common and recreational areas, bathrooms, showers, the cafeteria, offices, and the kitchen, regardless of whether detainees were paid for their work. For detainees in California, the lawsuit alleges that CoreCivic violated the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act (CATVPA) in addition to the TVPA.
For participants in the California Voluntary Labor Program, the lawsuit also alleges that CoreCivic violated California law by failing to pay detainees the minimum wage required under California law, failing to provide wage statements, failing to pay wages upon termination, and imposing unlawful employment conditions.
The Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are called “Class Representatives.” They are seeking monetary damages and restitution allowed under federal and California law for themselves and Class Members, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the lawsuit.
CoreCivic denies it did anything wrong, saying it did not compel or force detainees to clean areas of the facility outside their personal area under threat of punishment and did not violate federal or California law.
CoreCivic also denies that it violated California law regarding Voluntary Labor Program participants at its California facilities and is seeking compensation for any back wages or damages for the amount it cost to house detainees and operate the Voluntary Labor Program.
Who is a Group Member?
You are included in this lawsuit IF you were detained in ICE custody and you fall into one of these 3 categories:
(1) NATIONAL FORCED LABOR GROUP: You were detained at any CoreCivic facility in the United States at any time between December 23, 2008, and the present, AND you were forced or coerced into cleaning areas of the facility outside of your personal area under threat of punishment. You are included even if you were paid for this work.
(2) CALIFORNIA FORCED LABOR GROUP: You were detained at one of these CoreCivic facilities in California:
Otay Mesa Detention Center in Otay Mesa, California
San Diego Correctional Facility in Otay Mesa, California
California City Correctional Facility in California City, California
At any time between January 1, 2006 and the present, AND you were required or forced to clean areas of the facility outside of your personal area under threat of punishment. This includes you even if you were paid for this work.
(3) CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW CLASS: You were detained at any CoreCivic facility in California listed above on any date between May 31, 2013 and the present, AND you participated in the Voluntary Work Program.
What if I am a Group Member?
If you want to be a Class Member in this class action lawsuit, you do not need to do anything. Doing nothing means you will automatically be part of the class. Class Representatives and Class Counsel will represent your interests in the lawsuit. If any decision is made or you are paid money or benefits, you will be notified of what to do next.
As a Class Member in this class action, you will have to follow and comply with any court decision in the case, whether favorable or unfavorable. You will be bound by any settlement or judgment entered in this lawsuit. Any damages award may be reduced to pay Class Counsel’s costs and fees, and if you are a member of the California Labor Law class, any award if CoreCivic prevails in its counterclaim. You will lose any right to bring similar claims during this time period on your own behalf, and you will not be able to bring another lawsuit that brings similar claims.
Can I exclude myself from the group?
If you do not want to be included in the lawsuit, you may ask to be excluded. If you exclude yourself, you will not be part of any settlement or judgment in the lawsuit. You will keep your right to pursue similar claims during this time period on your own behalf. To exclude yourself, you must submit an Exclusion Request Form no later than March 26, 2025 to the Notice Administrator. The Exclusion Request Form and instructions on how to exclude yourself are available at www.coreciviclaborclassaction.com. You may also exclude yourself by writing to Owino v. CoreCivic, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, PO Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391.
Source: Class Counsel Eileen R. Ridley and Alan R. Ouellette, Foley & Lardner LLP; Robert L. Teel, The Law Offices of Robert L. Teel.
