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During our unannounced inspection of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Folkston Processing Center and Folkston Annex (collectively, “Folkston”) in Folkston, Georgia, we found that Folkston complied with standards for access to legal services, the voluntary work program, and detainee classification. However, Folkston did not meet standards for facility conditions, medical care, grievances, segregation, staff-detainee communications, and handling of detainee property. We identified violations that compromised the health, safety, and rights of detainees. Folkston facilities were unsanitary and dilapidated, with torn mattresses, water leaks and standing water, mold growth and water damage, rundown showers, mold and debris in the ventilation system, insect infestations, lack of access to hot showers, inoperable toilets, an inoperable thermometer display on a kitchen freezer, and an absence of hot meals. Facility medical staff did not provide timely access to specialty care or adequate mental health care for detainees. Folkston did not provide timely or complete responses to detainee grievances and requests. Folkston also did not consistently provide required services to detainees in segregation and inappropriately handcuffed detainees. Further, ICE did not consistently respond to detainee requests in a timely manner and did not provide detainees with paper grievance forms and submission boxes as required. ICE also did not provide detainees sufficient contact with deportation officers. Lastly, the facility has improperly handled detainee property.
In addition, Folkston has not met staffing levels required by the contract with ICE to ensure proper detainee oversight. In addressing COVID-19, Folkston did not consistently enforce use of masks and social distancing. In April 2021, Folkston began providing COVID-19 vaccinations to detainees.
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