CLEARFIELD – Concerns regarding the Moshannon Valley Processing Center were raised and briefly addressed during the Clearfield County Commissioners meeting Tuesday.
The MVPC started life as the first privately owned prison in Pennsylvania, but then closed in 2021, reopening later that year as a processing center for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The facility has a capacity of 1,878 and is the largest ICE detention facility in the Northeast United States.
Recently a detainee was found dead at the center, by apparent suicide, bringing attention to the center and focus on Clearfield County.
Four people spoke to the commissioners about the incident and conditions at MVPC during Tuesday’s meeting.
Comments ranged from informing the commissioners that a 59 page complaint was filed against the center by the Americans for Civil Liberties Union in June of 2024 outlining many examples of human rights violations, that there have been complaints from detainees, family and attorneys about the center and lack of access to attorneys and doctors, and other issues.
One individual stated she had heard statements that the commissions have never heard a single complaint about the facility, and another stated that the commissioners have a responsibility to ensure the safety and human rights of those housed at the facility.
Another person who spoke talked about a specific individual who is currently at the facility and who is a refugee from Venezuela, living with his family in Pittsburgh. During his yearly check-in he was taken into custody by ICE and is now housed at MVPC even though he is here under refugee status.
The commissioners were asked to visit the facility, make inquiries and ensure the right thing is done.
At the end of the meeting Chairman Tim Winters explained that the commissioners do not have any ownership of the facility nor any stake in the operations or management.
However, after the incident last week the commissioners scheduled a visit and tour of the facility this week and intend on asking questions about operations, how inmates are treated and so on.
He added that in the past Geo Group has been a good partner and transparent with any information asked for, but that there are concerns the commissioners want to look into.
