Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has relaxed its detention standards, allowing contractors to rely more heavily on artificial intelligence tools to communicate with detainees. The revised standards also permit contractors to continue refusing to pay the minimum wage for detainees’ voluntary work.

Changes to Detention Standards

The changes, which apply to for-profit contractors and jails that hold detainees, were made to reduce the burden on detention operators, according to ICE. However, experts argue that the changes will help contractors limit legal liability, reduce costs, and gain more operational flexibility, while doing little to improve conditions for the roughly 60,000 people currently detained.

Dr. Sanjay Basu, a public health researcher, noted that the changes include genuine improvements to suicide prevention standards and mental health care. However, he also stated that the overall trajectory is toward weaker standards governing a growing share of the detained population.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The revised standard allows facilities to use artificial intelligence tools, such as machine-learning-based translation or generative AI, for noncritical communication or informal interactions with detainees. This could include giving and receiving information during intake, having conversations with detainees in housing units, and responding to a detainee’s grievance or other concerns.

Experts have expressed concern over the changes, particularly the use of artificial intelligence for communication. Dr. Homer Venters, an expert on correctional health care, called the changes alarming, as grievances often include urgent or emergent information, such as when a patient has been denied lifesaving care.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.