Marketplace All-in-One Who profits from immigration detention?
Jul 8, 2025
Deirdre Conlon, a Professor of human geography at the University of Leeds and co-author of "Immigration Detention, Inc," dives into the controversial world of immigration detention. She reveals how private companies have increasingly profited from the system and the implications of a recent $45 billion spending bill aimed at expanding detention centers. Conlon discusses how local economies intertwine with detention facilities and the ethical concerns surrounding commodifying human lives. Tune in for a personal story celebrating local triumphs and rediscovering community.
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Private Companies Dominate Detention
- Private companies dominate U.S. immigration detention, holding 90% of detainees in their facilities.
- These corporations actively lobby for policies that increase detention to boost profits.
Broader Corporate Profit Web
- Beyond CoreCivic and Geo Group, many companies profit from every service inside detention centers.
- Services like food, medical care, and commissary are outsourced to private firms generating additional revenue.
Local Economies Tied to Detention
- Local governments economically depend on detention centers through contracts and jail space rentals.
- This creates a web of financial dependency between detention centers and local economies.