Williamson County to Vote on Hutto Contract Tuesday, December 23rd

Via the T. Don Hutto blog, Williamson County will be voting this coming Tuesday on a contract renewal for the controversial T. Don Hutto family detention center in Taylor, Texas. Since May 2006, Hutto has detained immigrant and asylum-seeking children and their families who are awaiting immigration hearings. The prison, operated by private prison corporation Corrections Corporation of America, has become a lighting rod of controversy and has been condemned by human rights organizations as as inappropriate place for children.

The vote will follow what is shaping up to be a large holiday vigil and toy delivery this Saturday (details here) outside of the prison. The last time the Hutto contract came up for a vote, CCA packed the Commissioner's Court meeting with employees, including uniformed guards, bussed in from the prison. The Court meets on Tuesday, December 23rd, at 9:00 AM at 710 Main St. Georgetown, TX 78626. Contact MaryEllen Kersch (512-863-7174, maryellenkersch at verizon.net) or Jose Orta (512-818-9802, orta_jose at hotmail.com) for more information.