From Mother Jones · Laura C. Morel · · 2m
The DHS watchdog just confirmed the cages
An inspector general's surprise visit backed up what Alligator Alcatraz detainees said for a year, and Florida officials denied.
In brief
An inspector general's surprise visit backed up what Alligator Alcatraz detainees said for a year, and Florida officials denied. Detainees and their lawyers described the conditions accurately from the start; the official denials were the thing that was made up. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Eighteen square feet
A DHS inspector general report found Alligator Alcatraz routinely held detainees in small metal enclosures with 18 square feet of floor space. The watchdog called it highly unconventional and out of line with humane treatment.
“highly unconventional and does not align with standards for humane treatment”
A camp in the swamp
Soft-sided tents on a remote Everglades airfield, built by Gov. Ron DeSantis's administration in summer 2025. At its peak it held up to 1,500 detainees when DHS ran short on beds elsewhere.
The complaints came first
For a year, advocates flagged flooding tents, mosquito infestations, food scarcity and almost no access to lawyers. Florida closed the camp in June, citing hurricane season.
Phone booths called calming areas
Inspectors found 79 people confined in mesh cages about 4 by 4 feet and nearly 8 feet tall, for stretches up to two hours. Staff said detainees asked to go in. At least one case was punishment for not following an order.
“Staff further maintained that detainees asked to spend time in the small metal enclosures.”
Twenty-eight instead of seventy-five
Federal standards give each detainee 75 square feet of living space. At the camp they got 28, with as many as 32 people in the eight cell areas during the January inspection.
Three showers a week
Recreation was one hour, three days a week. Showers were also three days a week, though federal standards require daily access. Detainees said they had no clean drinking water.
“detainees could not engage in recreational and exercise programs, which could negatively affect physical and mental health”
Nobody knew the rules
Inspectors found a lack of clarity over whether state or federal detention standards applied. DHS blamed Florida for daily operations, but ICE staff were often on site and federal money paid to open and run the camp.
“The absence of well-defined standards at detention facilities increases the risk that detainees may not receive appropriate care.”
We'd make it smaller
The ACLU's Corene Kendrick called the report horrifying and said it confirms what detainees reported while officials insisted they were lying. DeSantis's office was unrepentant.
“While it adheres to all federal standards for criminal confinement, we'd make it even smaller if we could.”
What matters most
Detainees and their lawyers described the conditions accurately from the start; the official denials were the thing that was made up.
