Kamala Harris’ stance on private prisons is evolving, leaving many wondering where she truly stands on progressive policies she once championed.
At a Glance
- Harris’ current position on private prisons remains unaddressed despite previous pledges.
- She has historically called private prisons “morally wrong” and vowed to shut them down.
- Harris’ campaign is focusing on defeating Trump, sidelining some previous liberal positions.
- Biden’s 2021 executive order to ban private prisons for criminals did not cover immigration detention centers.
Harris’ Historical Stance on Private Prisons
In her 2016 Senate campaign and during her 2019 presidential run, Kamala Harris was vocal about her opposition to private prisons, labeling them as “morally wrong” and a bad deal for American taxpayers. Harris argued that the profit motive behind these facilities makes them inhumane. Throughout her campaigns, she frequently pledged to close both private prisons and private detention centers for undocumented immigrants.
Kamala Harris released her detailed criminal justice reform plan as part of her presidential campaign, which criticized the role of private prisons and emphasized the need for their abolition. The plan proposed ending the war on drugs and included other reforms aimed at non-violent offenders. Harris promoted her background as a prosecutor with the slogan “For the People,” highlighting her personal experiences and records.
Harris’ Current Silence on Private Prisons
Despite her previous fervent opposition to private prisons, Harris’ campaign team remains silent about her current stance on the matter. Reports indicate that the vice president’s focus appears to be on defeating Donald Trump, potentially at the expense of addressing progressive policies she once deemed crucial. This shift has raised questions about the authenticity and consistency of her positions.
Harris silent on private prisons after past calls to close them https://t.co/i2XCHixgeG
— Axios (@axios) October 1, 2024
Biden’s Executive Order and Mixed Results
The Biden administration issued an executive order in early 2021 that aimed to ban private prisons for criminals. However, the order excluded immigration detention centers, leading to criticisms about its comprehensiveness. Although the order resulted in many private prison contracts not being renewed, a significant number of prisoners remain in these facilities. The ACLU reports that over 90% of people in ICE custody are still held in private detention centers, underlining ongoing issues in the system.
