AZ-Dozens of illegal inmates transfered to ICE

Dozens of illegal inmates transfered to ICE
Posted - 2/5/2010 at 5:19PM by Naomi Pescovitz

TUCSON - Thirty-nine incarcerated, illegal immigrants were transferred from the Arizona Department of Corrections in Tucson to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, Friday. The move was a part of Governor Jan Brewer's plan to solve the state's deficit.

"We're moving them to ICE earlier, which helps us with overcrowding, it helps us with the costs of incarceration, it reduces the costs for the taxpayers of the state of Arizona," Charles Flanagan, Deputy Director of the State of Arizona Department of Corrections, said.

The Department of Corrections estimates each inmate costs about $63 a day. Over the next year and a half, about 1,000 inmates will be released to ICE. On average, they are transferred 73 days before the end of their sentences, which means Arizona would save more than $4.5 million. The department also says there is also legislation in the making to toughen laws for illegal criminals who return and commit a crime.

"The message to them is, leave and don't come back," Flanagan said.

"This release ensures that they are going from our secure custody, to ICE's secure custody, to deportation," Flanagan said.

ICE said they have agreed "to take custody of certain low-risk criminal aliens identified by ADC for early release, provided the individuals meet strict criteria, including having an outstanding deportation order."

The inmates eligible for a transfer are all within 90-days of wrapping up their sentence. They are also considered non-violent.


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