Violations of ICE Detention Standards at Otay Mesa Detention Center

Inspection / Evaluation · Department of Homeland Security OIG · 2021-09-16 · about Department of Homeland Security

Summary

During our unannounced inspection of Otay Mesa in San Diego, California, we identified violations of ICE detention standards that compromised the health, safety, and rights of detainees. Otay Mesa complied with standards for classification and generally provided sufficient medical care to detainees. In addressing COVID-19, Otay Mesa did not consistently enforce precautions including use of facial coverings and social distancing. Overall, we found that Otay Mesa did not meet standards for grievances, segregation, or staff-detainee communications.

Recommendations (7)

#	Status	Text
1	Closed	Ensure Otay Mesa meets ICE’s COVID-19 requirements for wearing masks and social distancing.
2	Closed	Establish a grievance tracking system to ensure timely responses to all grievances filed at Otay Mesa.
3	Closed	Ensure Otay Mesa forwards all staff misconduct complaints to ICE ERO, as required.
4	Closed	Provide detainees in segregation access to laundry, legal materials, mail, required recreation time outside their cell, and the commissary(for those in administrative segregation).
5	Closed	Provide detainees full access to a secure drop-box for ICE requests and verify that ICE responds timely to such requests.
6	Closed	Ensure detainees have consistent and appropriate access to ICE ERO deportation officers including identifying time, duration, andlocation of ICE facility visits.
7	Closed	Update ICE’s contract with Otay Mesa to better identify housing requirements and determine if guaranteed minimums are necessary.

Status

Text

Closed

Ensure Otay Mesa meets ICE’s COVID-19 requirements for wearing masks and social distancing.

Closed

Establish a grievance tracking system to ensure timely responses to all grievances filed at Otay Mesa.

Closed

Ensure Otay Mesa forwards all staff misconduct complaints to ICE ERO, as required.

Closed

Provide detainees in segregation access to laundry, legal materials, mail, required recreation time outside their cell, and the commissary(for those in administrative segregation).

Closed

Provide detainees full access to a secure drop-box for ICE requests and verify that ICE responds timely to such requests.

Closed

Ensure detainees have consistent and appropriate access to ICE ERO deportation officers including identifying time, duration, andlocation of ICE facility visits.

Closed

Update ICE’s contract with Otay Mesa to better identify housing requirements and determine if guaranteed minimums are necessary.

Report

Summary

Recommendations (7)

Source