The Cages of Alligator Alcatraz

The Office of Inspector General for the US Department of Homeland Security has issued a report titled Unannounced Inspection of ICE’s Florida Soft-Sided Facility (“Alligator Alcatraz”) in Ochopee, Florida. Under the heading "What We Found," the OIG writes: "At the time of our inspection in January 2026, Florida Soft-Sided Facility (FSSF) staff could not clearly identify which detention standards they used for holding detainees on immigration-related charges."

"Key Finding 1" of the report is that Alligator Alcatraz "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."

This finding is substantiated by many photos, which will give students real insight into detention conditions.

"Key Finding 2" of the report is that Alligator Alcatraz did not comply with standards for Special Management Units (SMUs). Among the problems found by the OIG was that "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. Use of these small metal enclosures for any reason is unprecedented among detention facilities OIG has inspected and presents significant risks to detainee health and safety."

"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 de-escalate 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."

Other findings were:

• FSSF Did not Comply with Medical Standards Related to Withdrawal Monitoring
• FSSF Did not Comply with Food Service Standards
• FSSF Did not Comply with Personal Hygiene Standards
• FSSF Did not Comply with Recreation Standards