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.
