Results of an Unannounced Inspection of ICE's Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado

Submitting OIG:

Report Description:

During our unannounced inspection of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Denver Contract Detention Facility (Denver) in Aurora, Colorado, we found that Denver’s staff complied with Performance-Based National Detention Standards 2011, revised in December 2016, for recreation, use of force, library, and the voluntary work program. However, facility and ICE staff did not comply with standards related to staff-detainee communication and grievance practices. In addition, ICE did not maintain proper documentation of detainee grievances and a current log of paper requests and grievances, nor did they provide timely and appropriate responses to all requests.

Date Issued:

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Homeland Security

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

OIG-24-29

Component, if applicable:

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Inspection / Evaluation

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

Additional Details Link:

https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2024-06/OIG-24-29-Jun24.pdf

Related Open Recommendations

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
1	Open	No
Ensure consistent language in various publications when communicating to detainees about the grievance and request processes.
2	Open	No
Ensure responses to detainee requests are timely, and in a language understood by the detainee.
4	Open	No
Maintain complete and consistent records on sexual harassment allegations and continue training staff on Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention complaint processes.
5	Open	No
Provide responses to grievances within 5 working days, even if it’s to update the detainees that a grievance response will likely be late due to an investigation.
6	Open	No
Ensure facility grievance logs are accurate.
7	Open	No
Ensure ICE staff maintain an updated log of detainee grievances to ICE.
8	Open	No
Ensure facility staff is communicating clear and accurate information to detainees regarding menu ingredients.
13	Open	No
Establish and implement a plan to reduce wait times for specialty care appointments.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

Ensure consistent language in various publications when communicating to detainees about the grievance and request processes.

Open

Ensure responses to detainee requests are timely, and in a language understood by the detainee.

Open

Maintain complete and consistent records on sexual harassment allegations and continue training staff on Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention complaint processes.

Open

Provide responses to grievances within 5 working days, even if it’s to update the detainees that a grievance response will likely be late due to an investigation.