Sherrill had hailed the resumption of visits as a victory following days of protests, a detainee hunger strike, and mounting criticism of conditions inside the Newark facility. The governor said she and other state officials had pressed federal authorities to restore access for detainees’ families and attorneys after visitation was halted.
But DHS disputed that characterization.
“We did not cave to the Governor’s demands,” a spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “Visitation was suspended because the violent riots outside the facility made it unsafe for our officers, detainee’s families and lawyers to visit the facility.”
The department said operations at Delaney Hall are continuing as normal and that visitation can resume now that authorities have established a secure perimeter around the facility.
“To be clear: Visitation was only suspended because of violent riots,” the spokesperson said. “Now that we have a secure perimeter, visitation can resume.”
