Abuse claims prompt Pennsylvania auditor general to examine Berks center for immigrant families
Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale announced Thursday that his office will examine the Berks County center that houses immigrant families, after accusations in recent years of sexual and human rights abuses and inadequate health care there.
“Given these past reports, I want to make sure that the children and adults who are detained are being treated appropriately and compassionately,” DePasquale said in a news release posted on the office’s website. “Children, in particular, can bear lifelong emotional scars from such experiences.”
DePasquale said his review is meant to determine if immigrant children and families at the 96-bed Berks County Residential Center are being treated “as humanely as possible.”
CASA, which organizes and litigates on behalf of Latino immigrants, applauded the decision, saying in a news release that many allegations of abuse and neglect have surfaced in recent years, including reports of children’s illnesses going untreated. The organization said its representatives met with DePasquale to underscore the seriousness of the situation.
Read more: https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-berks-auditor-general-20190613-bnnukssjjfchtlqzesjj7iblhi-story.html
(Allentown Morning Call)