Department of Homeland Security officials found multiple problems, such as immigration-detainee inmates being served spoiled meat, at Orange County’s Theo Lacy jail in Orange, but the issues were “promptly remedied,” authorities have revealed.
Homeland Security’s inspector general’s office conducted an unannounced inspection in November at the Theo Lacy Facility, where the federal government rents beds for immigration detainees.
During the inspection, issues were raised such as moldy shower stalls, garbage in cells, inoperable phones, housing of “high-risk” detainees in “less restrictive barracks-style housing” and vice versa, and failure to properly document complaints or grievances from detainees to ensure proper follow-up, according to a memo from the Office of Inspector General.
“We have reviewed the report and all concerns alleged by the OIG have been addressed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as indicated in the report,” according to the sheriff’s department. “The Sheriff’s Department remains committed to the health and safety of all immigration detainees housed at our Theo Lacy and James A. Musick facilities, which both operate under a contract with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).”
The memo was obtained Wednesday, but it was dated Monday.
ICE officials released a statement saying the “top to bottom inspection identified several compliance issues related to bathroom cleanliness, food storage and detainees phone access, all of which were promptly remedied. The OIG also voiced concern that detainee grievances were not being tracked to ensure adequate follow-up. In response, ICE met with onsite supervisory personnel at the facility and provided guidance regarding the appropriate method for documenting and addressing detainee complaints, including verbal grievances.”
–City News Service