DHS Watchdog Finds ‘Cramped Conditions’ at Closed Florida Detention Center
DHS watchdog reports cramped conditions at Alligator Alcatraz, with detainees held in small enclosures. Investigation reveals violations of state and ICE sta...
POLICY WIRE — City, Country — A recent investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog has revealed that detainees at the now-closed Florida immigration facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” were subjected to cramped conditions, including time spent in small metal enclosures, according to a newly released report.
The DHS Office of Inspector General conducted an unannounced inspection of the site earlier this year and published a 33-page report on Monday. The facility, which was shut down in June, had previously been promoted by Trump administration officials as a model for increasing detention capacity to support deportation efforts. However, it faced widespread criticism from advocacy groups over its living conditions, which the agency has denied.
📄 POLICY WIRE WHITEPAPER PUBLISHED: PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY PRIORITIES
Most detainees were housed in soft-sided tents on an airstrip in the Everglades, divided into dormitory-style units with metal fencing and bunk beds. These areas provided only 28 square feet per person—well below Florida’s state jail requirements. The report found that these conditions could negatively impact detainees’ physical and mental health. It also highlighted limited recreation and shower access, as well as the use of small metal enclosures, which were described as “highly unconventional” and not aligned with humane treatment standards.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
