DHS Inspector General Confirms Use of Phone-Booth-Sized Cages at Florida Detention Facility
A Department of Homeland Security inspector general report confirms that detainees at the now-closed 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility in Florida were held in outdoor metal cages measuring just 16 square feet. The report states these 'calming areas' were used for up to two hours, though officials described them as spaces for emotional regulation rather than punishment. The findings highlight a significant gap between federal standards and actual conditions, as the cages were less than half the size of the minimum required for single-occupancy detention rooms. While Amnesty International previously labeled the practice as torture, the government watchdog characterized it as 'highly unconventional' and inconsistent with humane treatment standards. The facility, which cost over $1 billion to operate, shut down in June 2026 after facing legal challenges and criticism over its temporary tented housing and harsh conditions.
Key points
- The DHS Office of Inspector General confirmed that 79 detainees were held in 16-square-foot outdoor metal cages at the South Florida Detention Facility between July 2025 and January 2026.
- The average time spent in these 'calming areas' was just under one hour, with the longest duration being approximately two hours, according to internal facility records.
- The cages were significantly smaller than federal guidelines, which require a minimum of 37 square feet for single-occupancy rooms, and were less than half the size of standard solitary confinement cells in federal prisons.
- Facility staff described the enclosures as spaces for detainees to 'reflect on behavior choices' and 'manage emotions,' while Amnesty International had previously described the practice as torture based on detainee interviews.
- The facility, built by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration under a 287(g) agreement, cost taxpayers over $1 billion and operated at a cost of more than $3,000 per bed per day, far exceeding the national average of $200.
Background
The 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility opened in July 2025 in the Everglades as part of a state-federal partnership to support mass deportation efforts. It faced immediate backlash from Democrats and immigrant advocates due to its use of tented housing and exposure to severe weather. The facility shut down in June 2026, with detainees either deported or transferred to other federal facilities. This report is part of a broader pattern of scrutiny regarding detention conditions, following earlier inspector general reports on other federal agencies.
Why it matters
The report underscores the tension between federal oversight and state-led immigration enforcement, revealing that conditions in a high-profile detention facility fell well below established humane standards. It highlights the financial burden on taxpayers and the potential for abuse in temporary detention facilities, raising questions about accountability and the effectiveness of federal oversight in a politically charged environment.
What to watch
The DHS and Florida’s governor’s office have not yet responded to the report’s findings. Ongoing lawsuits regarding the facility’s existence and conditions are expected to continue, potentially influencing future state-federal immigration agreements. The report may also prompt further congressional inquiries into the use of such restrictive spaces in other detention facilities.
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