The Office of Inspector General Completes Joint Investigation of an ICE Detainee Who Died at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, OH.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG); the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR); and the ICE Health Service Corps jointly investigated the death of an ICE detainee that occurred at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center (NEOCC) in Youngstown, OH.

An autopsy by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be hanging. The Mahoning County Coroner’s Office determined the manner of death to be suicide.

As part of this joint investigation, the investigative team interviewed NEOCC facility staff and medical staff. We also reviewed the autopsy report, coroner’s report, medical records, incident report, and relevant policies and procedures.

The joint investigation did not identify any criminal violations. However, ICE OPR External Reviews and Analysis Unit (ERAU) determined the NEOCC failed to comply with four requirements of the ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards 2011 (PBNDS). The areas of non-compliance pertained to significant self-harm/suicide prevention/intervention, detention files, admission/release and custody classification system. The ERAU also noted five areas of concern regarding the individual’s medical care, safety, and security at the NEOCC, although they were not violations of the PBNDS.

 

For more information visit our website, www.oig.dhs.gov