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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

NEW: DHS's Inspector General releases a scathing report about the Everglades detention camp known as "Alligator Alcatraz." The OIG finds that the now-closed camp, violated multiple ICE standards. The OIG also confirms detainees were punished with placement in a metal cage in the Florida heat.🧵

The DHS OIG finds that Florida's Alligator Alcatraz failed to meet SIX different categories of detention standards: - Medical Care - Food Service - Personal Hygiene - Recreation - Environmental Health and Safety - Special Management Units Report here. oig.dhs.gov

The OIG finds that each person detained at Alligator Alcatraz was in cells offering just 28 square feet per detainee, less than half than the 75 required. People could only leave their cells a few times per day, and were only allowed showers 3 times per week.

Next, the OIG says that people held in segregation were locked in tiny individual metal cages inside a building, held with no TV, no reading materials, no law library, no recreation, and no access to phones to call their lawyers. All of this wildly violated ICE standards.

DHS's OIG also confirms people were punished in tiny outdoor cages. We knew they existed but had never seen pictures. The OIG calls these outdoor metal cages "unprecedented" and "highly unconventional," and says they were a "significant risk[] to detainee health and well-being."

Data that Florida gave the DHS OIG says that people were never held in the cells for more than two hours, and the average stay was almost exactly 1 hour. The OIG notes that there were allegations of significantly longer stays, but was unable to confirm them. Take Florida's data for what you will.

Third, DHS's OIG found that Alligator Alcatraz failed to have any standardized policy with regards to medical management of people suffering drug or alcohol withdrawal, raising the risk of serious medical harm.

Fourth, the DHS OIG found that detainees were not provided clean water and safe food. One freezer used to store food was broken, and detainees were not given clean water. Each cell had a single 5-gallon water jug, and people got a single cup, never cleaned, for their entire stays.

Fifth, DHS's OIG found that Alligator Alcatraz violated basic hygiene standards. People were only permitted to shower on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; no other time. The showers themselves were infested with small bugs. In addition, toothpaste was hard to obtain; you couldn't take it to the cells.

Finally, DHS's OIG found that Florida violated standards requiring people be given minimum 6 hours recreation per week, on at least 4 days. Instead, Florida only permitted people 1 hour, 3 days a week. As OIG points out, this made the tiny cells with no common areas even worse.

Even though Alligator Alcatraz is now closed, the OIG report is still a scandal. It confirms many of the abusive conditions at the facility, which Florida outright denied. Making matters worse, the OIG says another Florida facility is not getting ANY inspections from ICE.

Good flag from @gillianbrockell.com that reporting on "The Box" suggested that it may have been much worse. The OIG saw "The Box" as of January 2026. Interviews done with people detained in September 2025 said at the time that "The Box" was smaller, people were chained in it, and it wasn't covered.

Gillian Brockell
Gillian Brockell09/14/26

Here is the report, which also contradicts DHS IG report's claim that detainees weren't held there for more than two hours. amnesty.org

USA: Torture and enforced disappearances in the Sunshine State: Human Rights Violations at "Alligator Alcatraz" and Krome in Florida - Amnesty International

www.amnesty.org

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OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security Staff also reported that time spent in the small metal enclosures is closely monitored, and detainees are not locked in, even though we observed locking mechanisms on the enclosures. Figures 11 and 12. Small Metal Enclosures; Observed January 21, 2026 Underneath is a picture of a metal cage that is 4 feet 3 inches wide by 4 feet 3 inches long, and 7 feet 9 inches high. The cage itself is placed on a tiny spot of fake turf, and then surrounded by another chainlink fence with razor wire on top. The cage is covered by a roof, but it's entirely exposed to the outside otherwise, meaning mosquitos and no air conditioning.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security We found the facility complied with Intake and Use-of-Force standards but did not comply with standards related to: • Environmental Health and Safety • Special Management Units (SMU) • Medical Care • Food Service • Personal Hygiene • Recreation
Key Finding 1: FSSF Did not Comply with Environmental Health and Safety Standards FSSF did not provide detainees with sufficient living space — less than half of what is required — creating cramped conditions for detainees who spent most of their time in their housing units. The lack of living space risks detainees’ well-being and may negatively impact their physical and mental health. The applicable standards require at least 75 square feet of floor space per inmate in dormitory8 housing units.9 At maximum capacity, the FSSF housing units provided 28 square feet per detainee — well below the required minimum. Detainees spent most of their time in the housing units; they could only leave their units for: • mealtime (three times a day);10 • recreation (1 hour a day, 3 days a week); • showers (three times a week); and • medical reasons. General Population FSSF’s general population housing consisted of eight windowless soft-sided structures, or housing pods, without views to the outside and a lack of natural light. Each soft-sided structure contained eight housing units surrounded by metal fencing on all sides, measured 39 feet long by 23 feet wide (897 square feet of floor space). The units were topped with metal fencing that was 9 feet high. Each unit contained three toilets, three wash basins, and four telephones. They were designed to hold 32 detainees (See Figures 2-7). Furnishings in the enclosures consisted of bunk beds with no common areas, seating, tables, or storage areas provided
Figure 4: Inside a Detainee Housing Unit; Observed January 21, 2026. The picture shows a row of bunk beds set up in a small interior space surrounded by chain-link fence. In the middle of the space is a set of three toilets, entirely open, with a low 3-4 foot high wall blocking full view (but the toilets would be entirely visible form people on the top bunks). Perched on the wall of the toilets is a large water jug.
Figure 5. Detainee Housing Unit Toilet and Washbasin Facilities; Observed January 21, 2026 A close-up image of the toilet set-up, with the paint shown as already peeling. The toilets are standard prison toilets which are both toilet and sink.
Figure 6. Detainee Housing Unit Sleeping Bunks; Observed January 21, 2026 A picture of the same cell, this time from near the toilets and looking out across the cell. You can see how there is zero privacy, and how each cell is surrounded by other chain-link cells.
Figures 8 and 9. Metal Housing Enclosures Inside the SMU (left) and Inside Metal Housing Enclosure (right); observed January 21, 2026 Underneath are two photos. One shows a row of small cage-like cells lined up against the wall of a tent. The other shows that inside the cage is a single mat laying just off the floor, with one end propped up somewhat to mimic a pillow.
FFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security Key Finding 2: FSSF Did not Comply with SMU Standards11 Access to Recreation We found that only detainees in protective custody12 who did not present a security risk had access to recreation time in the general recreation area for 5 hours per week. Lack of access to recreation may negatively affect physical and mental health. Relevant standards state that detainees in the SMU should have access to at least 1 hour of recreation per day, 5 days per week.13 The other detainees in the SMU were confined to their metal enclosures and only left for escorted bathroom use, legal appointments, or other nonroutine events such as medical appointments. We observed that there were no TVs or playing cards available, and reading materials were limited to religious texts, further restricting detainees’ ability to meaningfully occupy their time. One detainee in administrative segregation reported being held for 8 days in the SMU without any opportunity for recreation. The NDS states that denial of recreation privileges for more than 7 days is expected to occur rarely, only in extreme circumstances, and requires the concurrence of the facility administrator and a health care professional. When we asked about the lack of recreation time for all detainees in the SMU, facility leadership showed the OIG team a dedicated recreation area that they stated had been set aside for segregated detainees. However, at the time of our inspection, facility staff said the area was not yet ready for use.
Inset: Special Management Units The SMU is separate from the eight housing pods. It is a windowless soft-sided structure containing 16 individual cells surrounded by metal mesh that each house one detainee and measure 8 feet by 7 feet and are 8 feet tall in size (See Figures 8, 9, and 10). The SMU also contains a shared bathroom and shower area. Access to Legal Materials and Telephones During our inspection, SMU detainees did not have access to a law library or legal materials within the unit. The lack of access could have prevented detainees from contacting legal representation or arranging appointments. Detainees in the SMU should be provided access to law libraries, legal materials, and telephone calls unless specific, documented security restrictions apply. 14 FSSF leadership confirmed this limitation to legal materials, stating detainees could request escorts for scheduled legal appointments, but detainees could not access or retain legal materials otherwise. One detainee reported he did not have access to a telephone to speak with his attorney or ICE case officer during his 8 days in the SMU. FSSF had installed SMU telephones shortly before our inspection, but they were inoperable at the time of the inspection. The OIG inspection team confirmed this by locating one of the telephones and determining it did not work.
Small Metal Enclosures Used as “Calming Areas” Between July 17, 2025, and January 18, 2026, FSSF confined 79 detainees in small metal enclosures — each offering about 18 square feet of floor space — for periods ranging from several minutes to nearly 2 hours, a practice unlike any OIG team has observed in ICE facilities. The use of such restrictive spaces is highly unconventional and does not align with standards for humane treatment.15 The use of these small metal enclosures is inconsistent with standards, which state that facilities maintain detainees in the least restrictive environment necessary for facility safety and security.16 During our inspection, we observed at least two small metal enclosures in the outdoor recreation areas (see Figures 11 and 12). According to facility staff, the small metal enclosures measure approximately 4 feet 3 inches by 4 feet 3 inches and 7 feet 9 inches tall. Facility staff described the small metal enclosures as “calming areas” for detainees to deescalate and have time alone. Staff further maintained that detainees asked to spend time in the small metal enclosures. We found at least one instance in which the small metal enclosures may have been used as a disciplinary tool. Documentation provided by FSSF noted that one detainee who spent 26 minutes in a small metal enclosure “Failed to comply with a lawful command.”
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security Staff also reported that time spent in the small metal enclosures is closely monitored, and detainees are not locked in, even though we observed locking mechanisms on the enclosures. Figures 11 and 12. Small Metal Enclosures; Observed January 21, 2026 Underneath are the two pictures at the top of the thread, showing the horrible cages in which people were kept
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security In March 2026, two U.S. Senators raised concerns and made an inquiry to the Department regarding the use of these enclosures at FSSF.17 Their letter cited reports from nongovernmental organizations and the media alleging that detainees were confined in these outdoor structures as punishment, sometimes subjected to direct sunlight, high temperatures, humidity, insects, use of restraints for hours, and denial of food or water. When we asked ICE officials about the enclosures, they reported to us that these enclosures were used for disciplinary issues, crisis intervention, housing changes, and conflicts among detainees. ICE also reported that all detainees were placed in hand restraints when they were escorted to the small metal enclosures, but not while in them. We were unable to independently confirm or refute ICE officials’ assertions regarding their use of the enclosures, as well as other allegations, such as deprivation of food or water while in the enclosures, as none of the detainees we interviewed reported experiencing these conditions during our unannounced inspection. Use of these small metal enclosures for any reason is unprecedented among ICE facilities inspected by OIG. Confining individuals in small metal enclosures for any reason presents significant risks to detainee health and well-being.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security The posted policy on the small metal enclosures in Figures 11 and 12 reads: "SOUTH DETENTION FACILITY 'Respect, Care and Dignity' HOLDING CELL Purpose The purpose of a Holding Cell Space is to provide a safe and secure place in general population for detainees to reflect on their behavior choices, manage their emotions, reduce stress, and practice self-directed behavior. • The Supervisor must approve assignment to the Holding Cell. • The detainee may have a maximum of 2 hours to spend in the Holding Cell and may leave at any time, by detainee request or per staff directive. • The Holding Cell will be monitored by detention staff. • A staff member may recommend to the Supervisor to remove the detainee at any time, depending on behavior or other circumstances, and either return the detainee to their housing unit or initiate the process of assignment to the [SMU]. • Detainees will be provided water upon request" Of the 79 detainees held in small metal enclosures from July 17, 2025, to January 18, 2026, FSSF records show that no detainees were held longer than the 2-hour policy. As shown in Figure 13, the average time a detainee spent in these small metal enclosures was 59 minutes and 27 seconds. Figure 13. Detainee Time Held in Small Metal Enclosures: 79 Total detainees. Shortest time 6 minutes 53 seconds. Average time 59 minutes, 27 seconds. Longest time, 1 hour, 59 minutes, 18 seconds.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security In March 2026, two U.S. Senators raised concerns and made an inquiry to the Department regarding the use of these enclosures at FSSF.17 Their letter cited reports from nongovernmental organizations and the media alleging that detainees were confined in these outdoor structures as punishment, sometimes subjected to direct sunlight, high temperatures, humidity, insects, use of restraints for hours, and denial of food or water. When we asked ICE officials about the enclosures, they reported to us that these enclosures were used for disciplinary issues, crisis intervention, housing changes, and conflicts among detainees. ICE also reported that all detainees were placed in hand restraints when they were escorted to the small metal enclosures, but not while in them. We were unable to independently confirm or refute ICE officials’ assertions regarding their use of the enclosures, as well as other allegations, such as deprivation of food or water while in the enclosures, as none of the detainees we interviewed reported experiencing these conditions during our unannounced inspection. Use of these small metal enclosures for any reason is unprecedented among ICE facilities inspected by OIG. Confining individuals in small metal enclosures for any reason presents significant risks to detainee health and well-being.
Key Finding 3: FSSF Did not Comply with Medical Standards Related to Withdrawal Monitoring While FSSF’s medical contractor [Footnote 18] has policies to monitor detainees at risk of drug or alcohol withdrawal, it did not use standardized forms to document the withdrawal monitoring process. [Footnote 18] FSSF contracts with CDR Health to provide medical services to detainees. Without these forms, staff cannot consistently quantify the severity of withdrawal symptoms, limiting the medical teams’ ability to develop individualized treatment plans. Recommendation 6: We recommend the Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations implement standardized withdrawal monitoring tools to improve the assessment and management of detainee detoxification care.
Key Finding 4: FSSF Did not Comply with Food Service Standards During our inspection, we found one freezer was operating above the recommended temperature according to its temperature gauge. Storing perishable food at temperatures above required ranges may result in food spoilage, increasing the risk of foodborne illness for both staff and detainees. Freezers used to store perishable food should be maintained at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (0 °F) or below. 19 We observed a container labeled “Freezer #1” with a temperature gauge reading 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Approximately 17 minutes later, when checking the temperatures again, the gauge read 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Facility staff rely on the temperature gauges to ensure food is maintained at appropriate temperatures. Figures 14 and 15. Freezer No. 1 Exceeding Required Temperature; Observed January 21, 2026 Underneath are two pictures of a freezer taken at different times. The temperature on the picture on the left shows 10 degrees, the temperature on the picture on the right shows 14 degrees.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security Detainees told us they did not have access to clean drinking water and could not clean their plastic cups. Drinking potentially contaminated drinking water from unclean cups could negatively impact detainee health. According to standards,20 clean, potable drinking water should be available. At FSSF, detainees receive individual cups for drinking water, and each housing unit has at least one 5-gallon container of drinking water. Detainees use these cups to obtain drinking water from the container. During our detainee interviews, when asked if they had access to clean drinking water, six of the eight responded “No” and noted that the drinking water was dirty. Several detainees also expressed concerns about the inability to clean their cups. During our inspection, we observed cups placed on the floor, bed railings, and ledges on bathroom walls, with no dedicated storage areas for cups in the housing units. Figure 16. Drinking Water Container; Observed January 21, 2026 Underneath is a picture of an Igloo 5-gallon water jug balancing on the wall of the toilets in a cell.
Key Finding 5: FSSF Did not Comply with Personal Hygiene Standards Detainees and facility staff stated that detainees only showered three times a week -- on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The limited number of showers prevented detainees from maintaining good personal hygiene. According to standards, detainees in “… general population will be allowed access to shower daily.”21 Before showering, facility staff give detainees a personal hygiene kit with soap, shampoo, deodorant, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. However, after showering, detainees may only bring the toothbrush back to their housing units. If detainees need more hygiene items on days when they do not shower, they must request them, and staff supervise their use. If a detainee requests toothpaste, a staff member applies it to his toothbrush.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL U.S. Department of Homeland Security The OIG inspection team also observed that the facility’s showers were infested with small bugs, specifically on the ceilings. According to standards, detention facilities shall be kept free of insects and vermin.22 While on site, we interviewed eight detainees. We asked each detainee, “Is this facility clean?” Seven answered “No,” and two specifically cited the showers as a problem area. Figure 22. Insect Infestation in Shower Facilities; Observed January 21, 2026 Underneath is a picture of the ceiling of the showers, showing dozens of tiny black insects.
Key Finding 6: FSSF Did not Comply with Recreation Standards We found detainees were offered 1 hour of recreation time 3 days per week. With the limited amount of recreation, detainees could not engage in recreational and exercise programs, which could negatively affect physical and mental health. Detainees should have access to outdoor recreation for at least 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, or a minimum of 6 hours per week on at least 4 days, according to applicable standards.23 Combined with housing units without common areas and limited space for any form of exercise, the minimal recreation time further hinders detainees from engaging in meaningful mental and physical exercise
Although FSSF ceased operations in June 2026, the issues raised by the Department’s management response regarding ICE’s level of oversight and responsibility for immigration detention remain consequential. For example, the Baker Correctional Institution (also known as “Deportation Depot”)26 is a state-operated detention facility that continues to operate in Sanderson, Florida. Baker, which opened in September 2025, housed 1,028 detainees as of August 27, 2026. ICE’s own documentation lists contractually obligated standards for Baker as “N/A” (as we found for FSSF) and Baker has not been internally inspected by ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight nor was it scheduled for inspection in FY 2026 or FY 2027.

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