Posted at: 06/17/2009 1:00 PM
By: DEBORAH BAKER, Associated Press Writer
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Operator of private NM prison sued by 7 inmates
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the operator of New Mexico’s newest private prison on behalf of seven inmates.
The inmates claim their constitutional rights were violated during a December incident at the prison in Clayton run by Boca Raton, Fla.-based GEO Group Inc.
They allege that they were locked in a cold shower room with little or no clothing for five hours while the prison was locked down because of a disturbance elsewhere in the facility.
They also allege they were teased, taunted and videotaped, and exposed to tear gas during the incident.
The ACLU of New Mexico filed the suit in federal court in Albuquerque on Wednesday.
GEO Group spokesman Pablo Paez says the company has a policy of not commenting on litigation.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
