•

Offi.Detention and Removal Oper"tiol1s
U.S. ])epal'tment of Homeland Secnl'ity
425 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20536

u.s. Immigration
and CUStOlTIS
Enforcenlent

MEMORANDUM FOR:

John P. Torres
Director

b6,b7c
b6,b7c

FROM:

b6,b7c

Reviewer- In- Charge
HQDRO/DMD/DSCU
SUBJECT:

Houston Contract Detention Facility Annual Review

The Detention Management Division, Detention Standards Compliance Unit, performed a
Headquarters Detention Review ofthe Houston Contract Detention Facility (CDF) in
Houston, Texas on February 6-8, 2007. This is a Contract Detention Facility operated by the
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). The review was performed under the guidance of
b6,b7c
, Reviewer-In-Charge. Team members included
Buffalo Field
b6,b7c
b6,b7c
, Department of Immigration
Office,
, Boston Field Office and
b6
Health Services (DIHS).

Type of Review
This review is a scheduled Headquarters Review, which is performed to determine overall
compliance with the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) National Detention Standards
(NDS). The facility received a previous rating of "Good" during the February 2006 review.

Review Summary
The American Correctional Association (ACA) accredited the Houston CDF in January 2005.

Standards Compliance
The following information is a summary of the standards that were reviewed and overall
compliance that was determined as a result of the 2006 and 2007 detention reviews:

2006 Review
Compliant
Deficient
Repeat Deficiency

37
0
1

2007 Review
Compliant
Deficient
Repeat Deficiency

38
0
0

www.ice.gov

-------------------------------

------------------

•

Memorandum for John P. Torres
Houston Contract Detention Facility Annual Review
Page 2

•

RIC Issues and Concerns
Transportation
It was a security concern that the detainees being transported out of the facility were not being
positively identified by the officer assigned to the post at the back gate and the detainees were
being transported without restraints. This was of concern because CCA transporting officers
are not armed and staff vehicles are parked within the secure perimeter due to lack of parking
spaces. This issue was addressed with ICE management and Warden b6,b7c and immediate
action was taken to correct the issue. A memorandum was issued that day reminding all
transport officers that detainees are to be restrained during transport. The back gate officer
must visually account for all detainees and make a notation in the back gate logbook. The next
day the review team observed detainees being transported in restraint!) and visually accounted
for before leaving the facility.

Best Practices
Funds and Personal Property-Best Practice
From admission all the way to the release process Houston CDF has a meticulous and
exceptionally accurate system to maintaining funds and personal property. The property room
is very organized and each bag is not only tagged with an 1-77 and tamper-proof serialized seal,
the facility also created a numerical tag system as a way of organizing property. The funds and
small valuables are also marked with the corresponding tag number so that the detainee
receives all of his or her property and not just part of the property before leaving the facility.
Despite the fact that this facility holds such a large number of detainees and has a high removal
rate it still maintains one of the most accurate and effective property systems.
Bulletin Boards-Best Practice
Bulletin boards located within the facility housing units were set up neatly and were visibly
available to the detainee population. All items were arranged in concise order in English and
Spanish. Bulletin boards were consistently arranged in mirror image order from unit to unit.
This demonstrated the facility's good quality effort to assure that communication via bulletin
presentation was made available to detainees.
Significant Observations
Staff-Interaction
Warden b6,b7c and the management staff at Houston CDF were professional and included many
years of experience and various law enforcement backgrounds. Staff noticeably emulated the
professionalism set forth by their management team.

•

Memorandum for John P. Torres
Houston Contract Detention Facility Annual Review
Page 3

•

Any information requested was retrieved in an expeditious manner and any concerns were
addressed immediately. The staff was well versed in policy and procedure at this location and
take pride in their facility. There was a great working relationship between CCA, ICE, and
DIHS. Houston CDF exemplifies what can be achieved with good communication,
cooperation and the team approach.
Environmental Health and Safety
The sanitation of the facility was outstanding. Posted cleaning schedules appear to be followed
and detainees were observed to be cleaning throughout the review. It is apparent the high level
of cleanliness is enforced daily. The quality of life for detainees is excellent.
Recommended Rating and Justification:
The Reviewer-In-Charge recommends that the facility receive a rating of "Superior." The
facility complies with 38 of38 Immigration and Customs Enforcement, National Detention
Standards.
RIC Assurance Statement
The findings of compliance and noncompliance are documented on the G-324a Inspection
form and are supported by documentation in the review file.

•

Department Of Homeland Security •
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
A.

o

~

o

Ty~e

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

G. Accreditation Certificates
List all State or National Accreditation[ s] received:
ACA: January 2005
Check box if facility has no accreditation[ s]

o

B. Current Inspection
Type of Inspection
Field Office ~ HQ Inspection
Date[s] of Facility Review
Feb 6-8,2007

o

H. Problems 1 Complaints {Copies must be attached)
The Facility is under Court Order or Class Action Finding
Court Order
Class Action Order
The Facility has Significant Litigation Pending
~ Major Litigation
Life/Safety Issues
Check if None.

o

C. Previous/Most Recent Facility Review
Date[s] of Last Facility Review
Feb 6-10, 2006
Previous Rating
Superior ~ Good 0 Acceptable 0 Deficient 0 At-Risk

o

D

Detention Facility Inspection Form
Facilities Used Over 72 hours

ny
N arne an dL oca f IOn 0 fF aCITt

Name
Houston Contract Detention Facility
Address (Street and Name)
15850 EXQOrt Plaza
City, State and Zip Code
Houston Texas 77032
County
Harris
Name and Title of Chief Executive Officer (Warden/OIC/Superintendent)
, Warden
b6,b7c
Tel
Include Area Code)
281 b6,b7c
Field Office / Sub-Office (List Office with oversight responsibilities)
Houston
Distauce from Field Office
8 miles

o
o

o

I
F aCITt
IS ory
ny H't
Date Built
April 1984
Date Last Remodeled or Upgraded
July 2005
Date New Construction 1Bedspace Added
July 2005
Future Construction Planned
Yes ~ No Date:
Current Bedspace
I Future Bedspace (# New Beds only)
905
Number: Unknown Date:

o

J. Total Facility Population
Total Facility Intake for previous 12 months
10,327
Total ICE Mandays for Previous 12 months
302,828

K. Classification Level (ICE SPCs and CDFs Only)
E. ICE Information
Name of Inspector (Last Name, Title and Duty Station)
b6,b7c
1 DDO 1 HQ, DSCU
Name of Team Member 1 Title 1 Duty Location
b6,b7c 1 lEA 1 BUF Field Office
Name of Team Member 1 Title 1 Duty Location
1 lEA 1 BOS Field Office
b6,b7c
f Team Member 1 Title 1 Duty Location
b6
1 DIHS 1 MIA Field Office
F CDF/IGSA I norma
f
f IOn 01
my
Contract Number
I Date of Contract or IGSA
ACD-3-C-0015
10/01103
Basic Rates per Man-Day
$86.36
Other Charges: (If None, Indicate N/A)
$1.84; $.395; $22.07; $1.00;
Estimated Man-days Per Year
330,325

I Adult Male

I Adult Female
L

L-l
592
93

L-2
80
5

L-3
82
1

F
aCI
TItyC aiJacIty

Rated
Operational
Emergency
Adult Male
740
740
0
Adult Female
165
165
0
Facility holds Juveniles Offenders 16 and older as Adults

o

A verage D al'1 y P opuI a fIon
ICE
I Adult Male
753.78
l Adult Female
72.85
M

USMS
n/a
n/a

Other
n/a
n/a

N. Facility Staffing Level
b2High, b7e

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1104

•

•

Significant Incident Summary Worksheet
For the INS to complete its Inspection ofyollr facility, the following information must be completed prior to the inspection. 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 INS and DOJ Detention Standards in assessing your Detention Operations against the needs of the INS and its
detained population. This form should be filled out by the facility prior to the start of any inspection.

p

Assault:
Offenders on
Offenders 1

o

Assault:
Detainee on
Staff

o

o

o

p

p

p

o

o

o

P

2
Number afForced Moves, inc!.
Forced Cell moves 3

Offender / Detainee
Referrals as a result of injuries
sustained.

o

o

o

o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

O-N/A

O-N/A

O-N/A

O-N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

o

0

0

o

o

0

0

o

o

0

0

o

66

28

0

o

20

3

0

o

N/A

N/A

N/A

S

o

0

0

91

74

58

74

3

3

Escapes
Actual
Grievances:

# Received
# Resolved in favor of
Offender/Detainee
Reason (V=Violent, I=Illness,
S=Suicide, A=Attempted

Deaths

Psychiatric / Medical Referrals

4

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

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 (Rev. 8/1101) No Prior Version May Be Used After 12/31101

•

•

Significant Incident Summary Worksheet
F or the INS to complete its Inspection of your facility, the following information must be completed prior to the inspection. 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 INS and DOJ Detention Standards in assessing your Detention Operations against the needs of the INS and its
detained population. This form should be filled out by the facility prior to the start of any inspection.

p

Assault:
Offenders on
Offenders l

o
N/A
Assault:
Detainee on
Staff

o

o
o

Number of Forced Moves, inc!.
Forced Cell moves 3

o
o
o
O-N/A
# Times Four/Five Point
Restraints applied/used

N/A

o

'-'L'"llU''' / Detainee Medical
Referrals as a result of injuries
sustained.

o

Escapes

o
Actual

o

Grievances:
# Received
# Resolved in favor of
Offender/Detainee
Reason (V=Violent, I=Illness,
S=Suicide, A=Attempted

Deaths

o
N/A

o
Psychiatric / Medical Referrals

4

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

14
0

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 (Rev. 8/1/01) No Prior Version May Be Used After 12/31/01

•

HEADQUARTERS EXECUTIVE REVIEW

~

Review Authority

~------~----------------------------------------------~

The signature below constitutes review of this report and acceptance by the Review Authority. OIC/CEO will have 30 days from
receipt of this report to respond to all findings and recommendations.
HQDRO EXECUTIVE REVIEW: (Please Print Name)

John P. Torres
Date

Title

Director
Final Rating:

~ Superior

DGood
D Acceptable
D Deficient
D At-Risk
Connnents:
The Review Authority (RA) concurs with the reconnnended rating of "Superior" made by the ReviewerIn-Charge (RIC) as justified in the RIC Memorandum and the G-324A Worksheets.

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/1/01) No Prior Version May Be Used After 12/31101