In remarks before signing the order, Biden said the US government needs to change "its whole approach" on the issue of racial equity. Biden directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development in a memorandum to take steps to promote equitable housing policy. The order to end the reliance on privately-run prisons directs the attorney general not to renew Justice Department contracts with privately operated criminal detention facilities. The move will effectively revert the Justice Department to the same posture it held at the end of the Obama administration. Photo / APGEO Group, a private company that operates federal prisons, called the Biden order "a solution in search of a problem".

Source: New Zealand Herald January 26, 2021 22:18 UTC