Aramark Must Defend Against California Detainees’ Labor Claim

Non-convicted detainees in a California jail can continue to allege that private prison contractor Aramark Correctional Services LLC unlawfully forced them to provide uncompensated food services, a federal district court said.

The detainees at Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail adequately alleged that Aramark unlawfully denied them compensation while threatening punishment in the form of longer sentences and solitary confinement, Judge Jon S. Tigar of the US District Court for the Northern District of California said in a Thursday order partially dismissing claims in the proposed class action.

The detainees said Aramark and the county violated anti-trafficking laws and state labor ...