Results of an Unannounced Inspection of ICE's Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami, Florida

Submitting OIG:

Report Description:

During our unannounced inspection of Krome North Service Processing Center (Krome) in Miami, Florida, we found that Krome’s staff complied with Performance-Based National Detention Standards 2011, as revised in December 2016, for classification, voluntary work program, recreation, facility conditions, and non-medical grievances. However, they did not comply with use of force standards for several incidents.

Date Issued:

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Homeland Security

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

OIG-24-21

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/2024-04/OIG-24-21-Apr24.pdf

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
2	Open	No
Provide additional training on de-escalation techniques and mental health assistance.
3	Open	No
Comply with PBNDS 2011 standards by: a) providing documentation for the new open sick call system and reduction in wait times; b) continuing efforts to fill vacant positions; c) ensuring that urgent dental needs are met in a timely manner; and d) devising and executing a plan to eliminate the medical documentation scanning backlog.
4	Open	No
Comply with PBNDS 2011 standards by: a) ensuring Krome’s medical department responds to medical grievances within the required time; b) ensuring copies of all paper medical grievances are placed in detainee medical records; c) ensuring all medical grievances are tracked and logged appropriately; d) updating the facility grievance policy to include expectations related to the submission of medical grievances. If the expectation is for detainees to only submit medical grievances through the paper grievance forms, Krome should update the facility’s detainee handbook; e) removing the grievance form, revised in 2011, from circulation at Krome and ensuring the facility does not impose a time limit on when a detainee may submit a formal grievance; and f) maintaining an adequate supply of paper grievance forms and writing instruments in housing units.
5	Open	No
Ensure compliance with standards for legal resources by: a) ensuring the facility consistently provides detainees with a means of saving any legal work in a secure and private electronic format; and b) implementing procedures to facilitate more reliable and confidential communication and visitation between attorneys and detainees.
6	Open	No
Ensure medical staff and housing officers initial the SMU activity log after daily check-ins are complete.
8	Open	No
Ensure that electronic and paper detainee requests are placed in detention files.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

Provide additional training on de-escalation techniques and mental health assistance.

Open

Comply with PBNDS 2011 standards by: a) providing documentation for the new open sick call system and reduction in wait times; b) continuing efforts to fill vacant positions; c) ensuring that urgent dental needs are met in a timely manner; and d) devising and executing a plan to eliminate the medical documentation scanning backlog.

Open

Comply with PBNDS 2011 standards by: a) ensuring Krome’s medical department responds to medical grievances within the required time; b) ensuring copies of all paper medical grievances are placed in detainee medical records; c) ensuring all medical grievances are tracked and logged appropriately; d) updating the facility grievance policy to include expectations related to the submission of medical grievances. If the expectation is for detainees to only submit medical grievances through the paper grievance forms, Krome should update the facility’s detainee handbook; e) removing the grievance form, revised in 2011, from circulation at Krome and ensuring the facility does not impose a time limit on when a detainee may submit a formal grievance; and f) maintaining an adequate supply of paper grievance forms and writing instruments in housing units.

Open

Ensure compliance with standards for legal resources by: a) ensuring the facility consistently provides detainees with a means of saving any legal work in a secure and private electronic format; and b) implementing procedures to facilitate more reliable and confidential communication and visitation between attorneys and detainees.