•

_rS.

.ffice afDetention and Removal Operations
Department of Homeland Security
4'25 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20536

u.s. Immigration

and Customs
Enforcement
September 26, 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR:

FROM:

John P. Torres
Director
Office of Detention and Removal
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Immigration Enfo
Reviewer in Charge

SUBJECT:

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Agent

GEO Bexar County Annual Detention Review

The San Antonio Field Office, Office of Detention and Removal conducted a detention review of the
GEO Bexar County facility on September 24, 2007 - September 26, 2007. This review was
b6,b7c
b6,b7c
, IEA, Reviewer-in-Charge (RIC), and
lEA, Team
conducted by
Member. This facility is used for detainees requiring housing over 72 hours.

Type of Review:
This review is a scheduled Operational Review to determine general compliance with established
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) National Detention Standards. The facility has been
in use by ICE since1983
Review Summary:
Overall the review of the GEO Bexar County facility was very pleasant. Warden b6,b7c and Asst.
Warden b6,b7c were open for suggestions and recommendations for improving daily operations and
the compliance of ICE Detention Standards.
Review Findings:
The following information summarizes those standards not in compliance. Each standard is
identified and a short summary provided regarding standards or procedures not currently in
compliance.
Compliant
Deficient
~t-Ris){

Non-~pplicable

-

36
0
0
2

-

Subject: Detention Rev_ Summary Report
Page 2
,.

--------

---------------------------------,

•

Standards Summary Findings:
Strip searches are being conducted on every detainee that arrives at GEO Bexar County as
routine policy. There is no "reasonable suspicion" being used to warrant the strip search.

Incoming mail and other correspondence for the detainees is not being opened in front of
the detainee. It is opened and inspected prior to the detainee receiving it.
The detainee handbook needs updates addressing ICE detainees. It is written more
towards US Marshal inmates.
The food service menu is a 28 day cycle and there is no common fare menu. It is suggested
that a 35 day menu and a 14 day common fare menu be implemented. Currently, there are
only two menus, the common menu and a vegetarian menu.
Concerning NGO's providing legal presentations at the facility, it is recommended that
documentation from ICE approving the presentation be kept on file at the facility.
Currently, NGO Political Asylum Project of Austin visits the facility and no documentation
could be produced as to the NGO having ICE approval.
With regards to Key and Lock Control, there was no inventory available for spare keys
found in the lock shop. It is recommended that all keys, including spare keys, be included
in the daily inventory.
No Post Orders were found in the key shop and maintenance room.
RIC Observations:
Facility Staff: The Staffwas efficient with policies and procedures in regards to each and every
post. The staff acted in a very polite and professional manner during the inspection.
During the inspection of the living quarters, detainees reported that there were no complaints in
regards to the facility or staff.

RIC Issues and Concerns
Upon inspection of the Admission and Release process, it was detennined that all detainees are
being strip searched upon arrival as routine policy, regardless of the classification level of the
detainee. There was no indication that this was going to be an immediate change to meet ICE
standards.
Inventories of the spare keys in the lock shop were not being conducted. It is not possible to
detennine ifkeys are missing without an inventory.

Subject: Detention Rev_ Summary Report
..,
Page 3

Recommended Rating and Justification:
It is the Reviewer in Charge recommendation that the facility receive a rating of "Acceptable.". The
facility seems eager to make progress for full implementation of the ICE Detention Standards. The
facility now complies with 36 of 36 standards, with 2 that were "Not Applicable."

RIC Assurance Statement:
All findings ofthis review have been documented on Form G-324A and are supported by the written
documentation contained in the review file.

II

Detention Facility Inspection Form
Facilities Used Over 72 hours

Department Of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement

A. T

D
D

ICE Service Processing Center
ICE Contract Detention Facility
ICE Intergovernmental Service Agreement

~

B. Current Ins ection
Type of Inspection
~ Field Office D HQ Ins ection
Date[s] of Facility Review
S tember 24-26, 2007
C. PreviouslMost Recent Facilit Review
Date[s] of Last Facility Review
09/05106
Previous Rating
D Su erior ~ Good D Acceptable 0 Deficient D At-Risk
D. Name and Location of Facilit
Name
Bexar Coun GEO Central Texas Detention Facili
Address (Street and Name)
218 South Laredo Street
City, State and Zip Code
San Antonio, TX 78207
County
Bexar
Name and Title of Chief Executive Officer (Warden/OIC/Superintendent)
Warde
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Telephone # (Include Area Code)
210 b6,b7c
Field Office / Sub-Office (List Office with oversight responsibilities)
SNA Field Office
Distance from Field Office
15 Miles

E. ICE Information
spector (Last Name, Title and Duty Station)
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1 lEA 1 SNA-Willac
Name of Team Member 1Title 1Duty Location
lEA 1 SNA-Hutto
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Name of Team Member 1 Title 1 Duty Location
1
1
Name of Team Member 1 Title / Duty Location

1

1

F.
Contract Number
Date of Contract or IGSA
May 27,1993
IGSAOL593-6088
Basic Rates per Man-Day
$47.27
Other Charges: (If None, Indicate N/A)
N/A;
Estimated Man-days Per Year
365

G. Accreditation Certificates
List all State or National Accreditation[s] received:
Texas Commission on Jail Standards
D Check box if facility has no accreditation[s]
H. Problems 1 Complaints (Copies must be attached)
The Facility is under Court Order or Class Action Finding
D Class Action Order
D Court Order
The Facility has Significant Litigation Pending
D Major Litigation
D Life/Safety Issues
~ Check if None.
I. Facility Historv
Date Built
1962
Date Last Remodeled or Upgraded
July, 2007
Date New Construction 1Bedspace Added
3C Far East 12 beds added
Future Construction Planned
D Yes ~ No Date:
Current Bedspace
Future Bedspace (# New Beds only)
674+9 Medical
Number: 0 Date: 0

I

J. Total Facility Population
Total Facility Intake for previous 12 months
3010
Total ICE Mandays for Previous 12 months
24080
K. Classification Level (ICE SPCs and CDFs Only)
L-1
L-2
L-3
I AdultMale
64
31
19
I Adult Female
43
5
0

.

F
aCIT
ItyC apacity
Rated
Operational
Emergency
Adult Male
528
5
Adult Female
147
4
D Facility holds Juveniles Offenders 16 and older as Adults
L

..

'
opuIatlOn
M Average D al'1y P
ICE
I AdultMale
105
I Adult Female
35
N. Facility Staffing Level

I

b2High

USMS
468
52

Other
3
0

port:

Form G-324A SIS (Rev. 7/9/07)

r----------------------------------

•

•

Significant Incident Summary Worksheet
For ICE to complete its review of your facility, the following information must be completed prior to the scheduled review dates. The
information on this form should contain data for the past twelve months in the boxes provided. The information on this form is used
in conjunction with the ICE Detention Standards in assessing your Detention Operations against the needs of the ICE and its detained
population. This form should be filled out by the facility prior to the start of any inspection. Failure to complete this section will
result in a delay in processing this report and the possible reduction or removal ofICE' detainees at your facility.

0
Assault:
Offenders on
Offenders!

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

Restraints applied/used

0

o

o

o

Offender / Detainee Medical
Referrals as a result of
sustained.

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

63

70

43

o

2

3

2

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

With
Without

Assault:
Detainee on
Staff

Number of Forced Moves,
inc!. Forced Cell moves3

# Times FourlFive Point

o

Escapes

Grievances:

Deaths

Psychiatric / Medical
Referrals

o

# Medical Cases referred for
Outside Care
# Psychiatric Cases referred for
Outside Care

0

o

o

o

Any attempted physical contact or physical contact that involves two or more offenders
Oral, anal or vaginal penetration or attempted penetration involving at least 2 parties, whether it is consenting or non-consenting
Routine transportation of detainees/offenders is not considered "forced"
Any incident that involves four or more detainees/offenders, includes gang fights, organized multiple hunger strikes, work stoppages, hostage situations,
major fires, or other large scale incidents.

Form G-324A SIS (Rev. 7/9/07)

•
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10;
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

Admission and Release
Classification System
Correspondence and Other Mail
Detainee Handbook
Food Service
Funds and Personal Property
Detainee Grievance Procedures
Issuance and Exchange of Clothing, Bedding, and Towels
Marriage Requests
Non-Medical Emergency Escorted Trip
Recreation
Religious Practices
V
Work Prnor"·n1

22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.

Contraband
Detention Files
Disciplinary Policy
Emergency Plans
Environmental Health and Safety
Hold Rooms in Detention Facilities
Key and Lock Control
Population Counts
Post Orders
Security Inspections
Special Management Units (Administrative Segregation)
Special Management Units (Disciplinary Segregation)
Tool Control
Transportation (Land management)
Use of Force
Staff / Detainee Communication (Added August 2003)
Detainee Transfer (Added September 2004)

•

findings (Deficient and At-Risk) require written comment describing the finding and what is necessary to meet compliance.

Form G-324A SIS (Rev. 7/9/07)

RIC Review Assurance Statement

By signing below, the Reviewer-In-Charge (RIC) certifies that all findings of noncompliance with policy or inadequate controls
contained in the Inspection Report are supported by evidence that is sufficient and reliable. Furthermore, fmdings of noteworthy
accomplishments are supported by sufficient and reliable evidence. Within the scope of the review, the facility is operating in
accordance with applicable law and policy, and property and resources are efficiently used and adequately safeguarded, except for the
deficiencies noted in the report.

Signature

Reviewer-In-Charge: (Print Name)

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Title & Duty Location

lEA, Raymondville, Texas

September 26,2007

T~lun ~embers
Print Name, Title, & Duty Location
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lEA, Taylor, T

Print Name, Title, & Duty Location
b6,b7c

Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

Recommended Rating:

Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

D Superior
DGood
IZI Acceptable
D Deficient
D At-Risk

b6,b7c
Comments:
I,
, Reviewer in Charge ofGEO Bexar County (Central Texas Detention Facility) summarize the
inspection with the following information:

The GEO-Bexar County appears to be a well maintained and equipped facility, though the building shows signes of age. Plans of
remolding are in place to improve the building. A full time doctor is on staff and the medical facility appears to be suffcient. A
dentist visits the facility once a week.
Strip searches are being conducted of every ICE detainee that arrives at the facility. This should be addressed to follow the
National Detention Standards as per ICE policy requiring "reasonable suspicion" to warrant the search.
Concerning Correspondence and Other Mail, incoming mail is not opened in front of the detainees. It is opened and inspected
prior to being given to the detainee. It should be opened in front of the detainee to avoid any discrepancies. Also, detainees are not
allowed to receive cash through the mail. It is recommended that this be changed.
Concerning the Detainee Handbook standard, the handbook needs updates addressing ICE detainees.
Under the Food Service standard, it is recommended that a 35 day menu and 14 day common fare menu be implemented.
Currently, GEO uses a 28 day menu as per GEO policy. There are only two diets, the regular menu and a vegetarian diet.
I recommend that documentation be kept at the facility indicating that NGO's have been approved by ICE and that presentations
are meeting the Group Legal Rights Presentations standards of the ICE National Detention Standards.

Form G-324A SIS (Rev. 7/9/07)

Concerning the Key and Lock Control standard, no inventory was found for spare keys in the lock shop. It is recommended that
all keys including spare keys be included in the daily inventory.
With regard to the Post Order standard, it was found that the key shop and the maintenance room had no post orders. according to
the National Detention Standards, all fixed posts are required to have post orders.
Overall, the jail is acceptable. Warden
inmate within their facility are being met.

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and Asst. Warden

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are proactive on ensuring the needs and rights of every

Form G-324A SIS (Rev. 7/9/07)

HEADQUARTERS EXECUTIVE REVIEW

I Review Authority
The signature below constitutes review of this report and acceptance by the Review Authority. OICICEO will have 30 days from
receipt of this report to respond to all findings and recommendations.

(1\

\

HQDRO EXECUTIVE REVIEw: (Please Print Name)

Signature

John P. Torres
Date

Title

Director

Final Rating:

/ (M~)J
,

~y 1'1- t; frO')

D

Superior
DGood

D Acceptable
1ZI Deficient
D At-Risk
DNoRating
Comments:
The Review Authority has downgraded the RIC recommended rating of "Acceptable" to "Deficient".
A plan of action is required for the following:
Visitation--Policy requires personal items to be sent in the mail & no option for non-contact for legal visit (strip searches)
Admission and Release--Strip searches on all incoming detainees
Correspondence and Other Mail--All detainee mail opened without detainee present
Funds and personal property receipts--No audits and and no abandoned property procedure
Detention Files--Receipt signatures missing/receipts improperly completed
Disciplinary Policy--Confidential informant information
Key and lock control--Spare key inventory
Post Orders--Key shop and maintenance
Security Inspections--No alarm tests

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/1/01) No Prior Version May Be Used After 12/31/01