Private prison giants GEO Group and CoreCivic are intensifying their lobbying efforts to secure access to the US banking system, following a series of banks cutting ties with them due to concerns over human rights abuses in their facilities.
The two companies, which operate over half of all private prisons in the country, have been accused of poor conditions, inadequate medical care, and excessive use of force against detainees. As a result, major banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America had stopped providing financing to them.
However, CoreCivic and GEO Group are now pushing back with millions of dollars spent on lobbying efforts in Congress, aiming to pass the Fair Access to Banking Act. This bill would protect companies from being denied access to banking services based on their business practices.
Critics argue that the legislation is a thinly veiled attempt by private prison corporations to shield themselves from public scrutiny and accountability for human rights abuses. Civil liberties advocates such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have expressed concerns over the potential implications of this bill, which could embolden companies to exploit vulnerable populations.
The push to amend the Fair Access to Banking Act comes after a series of high-profile incidents involving migrant detainees in ICE custody, where five people died while being held in private prisons. The ACLU's Eunice H. Cho warned that if the bill passes, it would send a "serious message" to private prison companies that they can "abuse and exploit" detainees with impunity.
The Intercept has reported on the devastating impact of Trump's administration on democracy, including the erosion of press freedom and the rise of authoritarianism. The editor-in-chief of The Intercept has stated that the organization needs financial support to continue its critical reporting efforts in 2026.
The two companies, which operate over half of all private prisons in the country, have been accused of poor conditions, inadequate medical care, and excessive use of force against detainees. As a result, major banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America had stopped providing financing to them.
However, CoreCivic and GEO Group are now pushing back with millions of dollars spent on lobbying efforts in Congress, aiming to pass the Fair Access to Banking Act. This bill would protect companies from being denied access to banking services based on their business practices.
Critics argue that the legislation is a thinly veiled attempt by private prison corporations to shield themselves from public scrutiny and accountability for human rights abuses. Civil liberties advocates such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have expressed concerns over the potential implications of this bill, which could embolden companies to exploit vulnerable populations.
The push to amend the Fair Access to Banking Act comes after a series of high-profile incidents involving migrant detainees in ICE custody, where five people died while being held in private prisons. The ACLU's Eunice H. Cho warned that if the bill passes, it would send a "serious message" to private prison companies that they can "abuse and exploit" detainees with impunity.
The Intercept has reported on the devastating impact of Trump's administration on democracy, including the erosion of press freedom and the rise of authoritarianism. The editor-in-chief of The Intercept has stated that the organization needs financial support to continue its critical reporting efforts in 2026.
. I mean, who else can just lobby their way into getting access to banking services despite all the human rights abuses they've committed? It's like, hello, accountability is important too! 
Can't we make them pay for what they do instead of just shielding them from consequences? And what's with this "Fair Access to Banking Act" being just a fancy name for "let corporations get away with whatever"? 
! These private prison companies have got to be held accountable for the horrific conditions they're putting people through 
. It's like they think they can just operate outside of the law and get away with it? 
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. It's like they're trying to spin their own failures as some kind of success story 
. Not gonna let that happen! 
We need to keep pushing for justice and transparency, not just corporate profits 
it's so messed up that they're pouring millions into lobbying efforts while people are still dying in those facilities 
at least the ACLU is speaking out against this, we need more advocacy groups to hold these companies accountable 
. private prison companies think they can just buy their way out of scrutiny and human rights abuses are no big deal? it's disgusting 
. we need real change, not just more money changing hands 
.
. We need to keep pushing back against corporate interests that prioritize profits over people's lives 
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. And let's be real, who do these companies think they are? They're not exactly the poster children for corporate responsibility 
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. If this bill passes, I fear for the safety and well-being of so many people who are already vulnerable. We need to stand together and demand better treatment and justice for all