“So MTC and Imperial Regional Detention Center have really shown the need and care for their detainees and really have been working really closely with the community.”

Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, California is strengthening a community partnership. Representatives from California Coalition Against Sexual Abuse or CALCASA recently visited the facility, accompanying one of the local organizations they support—SURE Helpline Crisis Center, a local sexual assault resource organization. CALCASA provided guidance and leadership as Imperial and SURE Helpline prepared a memorandum of understanding, increasing an already strong relationship.

“And so together, we’ve been able to start the process of having meetings, ensuring that Sure HelpLine is able to provide support to folks that are detained in here and provide them with in-person counseling, providing them with any support that they need.”

While visiting the facility, the folks with CALCASA were very impressed with the overall operation and the services offered to detainees.

“We’ve really seen that all of these different services that they offer, whether its English as a second language, whether its getting a haircut, or getting their nails done; whatever it is, that means so much to so many. It is really key to helping folks feel like someone cares about them.  And many times a lot of these folks are feeling isolated and alone, and these small things that seem small to us, mean so much to them as detainees.”

“…they have murals of the world, welcome in every language, and those simple touches really help humanize those that are in here and help them have their stay not seem as dreadful and scary for them, but really know that there are people here that really want to help them.”

“In my experience in working with detention facilities, and also CDCR facilities, its very rare and a unique experience to have a warden and a facility that is so welcoming to us and to their local rape crisis center, and that they work so closely together to ensure that victims of sexual violence have access to support.”