Sanders, liberals press Obama to expand closure of private prisons

The Justice Department's decision Thursday to end its use of private prisons means tens of thousands of federal inmates will eventually be shifted out of a system that's been heavily criticized as ineffective, inefficient and dangerous.

But the broader consequences might come further down the road, as the move puts immediate pressure on states, local governments and even other agencies within the Obama administration to get out of the private-prison business.

"Today’s announcement from the Justice Department is an important first step," said Sen.Patrick Leahy (Vt.), senior Democratic on the Judiciary Committee. "But it is not enough."

Democrats have long attacked the Homeland Security Department's use of privately run facilities, particularly the detention centers that have housed thousands of immigrant families seeking refuge from violence in Central American. And liberals like Leahy are using the DOJ's policy change to press Obama to expand the private-prison ban across the administration, to include those centers and other facilities overseen by the DHS.

"Until DHS and state governments around the country break ties with these corporations, justice in this country will continue to be undermined by private profit motives, and innocent people will continue to suffer," Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said in a statement.

“This isn’t simply unjust detainment, this is the exploitation of human captivity — including young children — for the sake of money."

Full Story at The Hill