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Violations of ICE Detention Standards at Adams County 
Correctional Center July 20, 2021

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From the Office of Inspector General COVID-19 Related Report

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What we found

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During our unannounced inspection of Adams
in Natchez, Mississippi, we identified violations

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of ICE detention standards that threatened
the health, safety, and rights of detainees.

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Violations included COVID violations and insufficient 
medical attention that led to one detainee's death

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In addressing COVID-19, Adams did not consistently 
enforce the use of facial coverings and social distancing,

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which may have contributed to repeated 
COVID-19 transmissions.

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Despite a rise in COVID-19 cases in the facility,
Adams did not use available extra housing space

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to help spread out the
detainees during the pandemic.

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After reviewing detainee medical files and autopsy
reports, medical experts contracted by DHS OIG determined

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Adams medical staff failed to send a detainee
with an urgent medical need to the hospital.

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Consequently, the detainee died in the facility.

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Staff at Adams placed detainees at risk by not always
documenting whether detainees had special vulnerabilities

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(e.g., elderly, pregnant, disabled, etc.) that
would qualify them for appropriate housing.

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Quote from Joseph V. Cuffari Inspector General for DHS

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“For years our office has worked to ensure the proper
care and treatment of immigration detainees by conducting

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unannounced inspections at ICE detention facilities. We
were able to continue our oversight during the pandemic by

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establishing a remote inspection protocol …”

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“ … Our remote protocol includes a virtual walkthrough, reviews of security
camera footage and other documentation, and interviews with staff and detainees.

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Our recommendations are intended to remedy shortcomings
in DHS’s application of ICE detention standards. …”

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“We look forward to seeing full implementation of our seven recommendations
to improve conditions and outcomes at all DHS detention facilities,

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including the Adams County Correctional Facility.”

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What we recommend

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To read all of the findings, as well as the seven
recommendations in this report, visit our website: oig.dhs.gov.