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U.S. DepartA of Homeland Security
Detention and RellWlval Operations
1717 llJY Street

Harlingen, lexas 78552

U. S. IInmigration
and Customs
Enforcement
March 9, 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR: John P. Torres
Director
Office of Detention and Removal
FROM:

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Reviewer-In-Charge
Harlingen Resident Office
SUBJECT:

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Review Summary Report for: Willacy Detention Center
(Initial over 72-hr) Annual Detention Review

The Harlingen Resident Office, San Antonio Field Office Area of Responsibility, Office of
Detention and Removal conducted a detention review of the Willacy Detention C
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6, 2007. This facility is used for detainees requiring housing ~~~\42--hours. I,
~viewer-in-Charge and Ernesto Alvarado conducted the review.
Type of Review:
This review is a scheduled Operational Review to determine general compliance with established
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) National Detention Standards.
Review Summary:
It was determined through this review that the Willacy Detention Center is presently operating at
an• •~~e" level. The team members identified some minor issues. All of these were
discussed with the facility's Administrators and they were corrected immediately and or in the
process of correcting.
This IGSA facility is unique in that they have PHS staff assigned to them. The team did not
review Health Service Standards because this team did not have a PHS jail reviewer assigned.

Subject: Detention Revie~mmary Report
Page 2

The facility does not have a Segregation Unit; therefore, the standards for administrative and
disciplinary were not reviewed. Whenever this facility identifies a detainee who poses a threat,
ICE/DRO is notified and the detainee is transferred to the Port Isabel Service Processing Center
located within the Harlingen Resident Office.
It should be noted that this facility is in the process of replacing some of the dormitory doors

with some that have windows in order for the dorms to have more natural light. They are also
converting the all-purpose rooms in each dorm into day-rooms. This facility is adding more
covering to the recreational area to allow for more shade along with more benches for the
detainees. This facility is in the process of gathering books because they intend to open a
general library for all detainees to use.
BEST PRACTICE: The facility keeps a tray of each meal in the freezer for 72-hours before
disposing of it. If a detainee or detainees gets sick, they have a sample tray that will be sent for
dissection to rule out food poisoning.
Review Finding:

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 - ALL
Deficient - None
At-Risk - None
Non-Applicable -SMU
Standards Summary Finding:

During the review no constraints or abnormal difficulties were encountered. Staffwas
extremely cooperative and was available to assist reviewers and to answer questions posed by
this team.
RIC Observations:

This facility has made tremendous progress since opening their doors for operation less than a
year ago. This facility is committed to improving and is currently spending whatever monies are
necessary to comply with ICE commitments and standards.
RIC Issues and Concerns:

There were no issues or concerns with this facility.

Subject: Detention Revieeummary Report
Page 3

Recommended Rating and Justification:
It is this RIC's recommendation that the facility is operating in an acceptable level. The facility

was supportive of ALL the changes needed to meet the standards set in this review. This
facility's goal is to comply with ALL of the standards.
RIC Assurance Statement:
It is the opinion of this RIC that the findings of compliance are documented in the

G-324a Inspection Form and that it is supported by documentation in the review file.

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. Department Of Homeland Security •
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
A. Type of Facility Reviewed
ICE Service Processing Center
D
ICE Contract Detention Facility
D
.[g]
ICE Intergovernmental Service Agreement

Detention Facility Inspection Form
Facilities Used Over 72 hours

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

B. Current Inspection
Type ofInspection
~ Field Office D HQ Inspection
Date[s] of Facility Review
March 6-7, 2007

C. PreviouslMost Recent Facility Review
Date[s] of Last Facility Review
None
Previous Rating
D Superior D Good D Acceptable D Deficient D At-Risk

H. Problems / 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}Aajor Litigation
D Life/Safety Issues
hSl Check if None.
I. Facility History
Date Built
July 31,2006
Date Last Remodeled or Upgraded

D. Name and Location of Facility

I
I

Date New Construction 1 Bedspace Added

Name
Willacy Detention Center
Address (Street and Name)
1800 Industrial Blvd
City, State and Zip Code
Raymondville, Texas 78580
County
Willacy
Name and Title of Chief Executive Officer (Warden/OIC/Superintendent)
Warden
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Telephone # (Include Area Code)
(956) b6, b7c
Field Office / Sub-Office (List Office with oversight responsibilities)
Harlingen Resident Office, San Antonio Area ofResponsiblity
Distance from Field Office
25-miles

Future Construction Planned
DYes ~No Date:
Future Bedspace (# New Beds only)
Current Bedspace
2,000
Number:
Date:

J. Total Facility Population
Total Facility Intake for previous 12 months
5,098
Total ICE Mandays for Previous 12 months
47,838
K. Classification Level (ICE SPCs and CDFs Only)

E. ICE Information
ast Name, Title and Duty Station)
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/ SDDO / HLG
Name of Team Member 1 Title / Duty Location
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1IEA / HLG
Name of Team Member / Title / Duty Location
/ /
Name of Team Member / Title / Duty Location
/ /
F.

~DF/IGSA

Information Only
Date of Contract or IGSA
~~actNumber
RO/GSA-060003

tv

I

07123/06

Basic Rates per Man-Day
$79.00
Other Charges: (If None, Indicate N/A)
.445 per mile (transport); ; ;
Estimated Man-days Per Year
$507,936.00

,

L-1

"

L-2

L-3

Adult Male
Adult Female
Facility Ca ~acity
Operational
Rated
Emen~ency
Adult Male
1500
1500
Adult Female
500
500
D Facility holds Juveniles Off(n(hrs 16 and older as Adults

L.

M. Average Daily
,

,

Adult Male
Adult Female

pOPI.~ion
II

ICE
1005 /
3387

USMS

Other

'-.../ I

N. Facility Staffing I evel/
Security:
Support:

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

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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.

Assault:
Offenders on
Offenders·

N/A

0

With

N/A

2

0
0

Without
Assault:
Detainee on
Staff

A

N/A

0

N/A

N/A

0

N/A

N/A

0
0
0

0

0

0

N/A

0

0

N/A

0

0

N/A

0

0

N/A

0

0

N/A

0

0

N/A

N/A

0

0

N/A

N/A

144

0

N/A

N/A

142

0

N/A

N/A

0

0

N/A

N/A

0

0

N/A

N/A

24

N/A

N/A

0

# Times FourlFive Point
Restraints applied/used
Offender I Detainee Medical
Referrals as a result of
sustained.
Escapes
Grievances:

Referrals

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

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 trans ortation of detainees/offenders is not considered "forced"
Any incident that involves our or more e IDee
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major fires, or other large scale incidents.

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

•

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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.

Assault:
Offenders on
Offenders!

With

2
Without
Assault:
Detainee on
Staff

# Times Four/Five Point
Restraints applied/used
Offender / Detainee Medical
Referrals as a result of
sustained.
Escapes

Grievances:

144
142

Deaths

Psychiatric / Medical
Referrals

24

# 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. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

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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 I-Jrn'Tr<l",

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

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 (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

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, findings 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.

Reviewer-In-Charge: (Print Name)

Signatur
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Title & Duty Location

Date

SDDO, Harlingen, Texas

03/08/07

Team:M~m~ers
Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

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Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

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Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

lEA, Harlingen, Texas

Recommended Rating:

D Superior
DGood
[gI Acceptable
D Deficient
D At-Risk

Comments:
This facility is less than a year old. This facility is one of two facilites operated by the Harlingen Resident Office,
San Antonio Field Office Area ofResponsbility.
Although it is an IGSA contract faciltiy; the United States Public Health Service (PHS) has full-time employees assigned to this
facility. This team did not have a PHS representative, therefore, Health Service was not reviewed.
Special Management Units (Disciplinary and Adminstrative) were not reviewed. This facility does not have segregation units. This
facility only handles Levell and 2 detainees. All Level 3 detainees are housed in the Port Isabel Service Processing Center which is
within the Harlingen Resident Office.

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

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HEADQUARTERS EXECUTIVE REVIEW

I Review Authority
The signature below constitutes review of this report and acceptance by the
receipt of this report to respond to all findings and recommendations.
HQDRO EXECUTIVE REVIEW: (please Print Name)

Signature

e.ll_from

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Date

Title

Chief, DSCU

Final Rating:

D Superior
DGood

I:8J Acceptable
D Deficient
D At-Risk
Comments:
The Review Authority concurs with the Reviewer-In-Charge (RIC) recommended
rating of "Acceptable" as justified in the RIC Memorandum and G-324A Worksheet.

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