Violations of ICE Detention Standards at Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana

Submitting OIG:

Department of Homeland Security OIG

Date Issued:

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Homeland Security

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

OIG-23-18

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:

Additional Details Link:

https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2023-03/OIG-23-18-Mar23.pdf

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
2	Open	No
Ensure facility conditions we identified as deficient (rusted bunks, shower water pressure, and detainee clothing) are corrected and provide proof of scheduled renovations.
3	Open	No
Comply with the PBNDS 2011 grievance standard by: a. ensuring detainees have access to paper grievance forms, including medical grievance forms, and can submit paper or electronic grievances; b. ensuring detainees can submit medical grievances directly to medical staff; c. establishing a grievance appeals board; d. updating the facility handbook to accurately reflect grievance process; and e. conducting training for the facility grievance officer and other department leads on processes for all grievances (including informal, formal, medical, and emergency), grievance appeals, and appellate review.
4	Open	No
Establish a grievance tracking system to ensure timely responses to all detainee grievances filed at Richwood.
5	Open	No
Comply with the PBNDS 2011 staff-detainee communication standard by: a. ensuring detainees can access paper request forms and can submit paper or electronic requests to ICE and facility staff; b. ensuring detainees have opportunities to communicate requests and receive responses in a language they can understand; and c. maintaining copies of each completed detainee request in detainees’ detention files.
8	Open	No
Immediately modify the Richwood contract to decrease the guaranteed minimum to only pay for available bed space while the facility is unable to meet the contractual minimum. Then, review and update ICE’s contract with Richwood by better identifying housing requirements and determining whether guaranteed minimums are necessary.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

Ensure facility conditions we identified as deficient (rusted bunks, shower water pressure, and detainee clothing) are corrected and provide proof of scheduled renovations.

Open

Comply with the PBNDS 2011 grievance standard by: a. ensuring detainees have access to paper grievance forms, including medical grievance forms, and can submit paper or electronic grievances; b. ensuring detainees can submit medical grievances directly to medical staff; c. establishing a grievance appeals board; d. updating the facility handbook to accurately reflect grievance process; and e. conducting training for the facility grievance officer and other department leads on processes for all grievances (including informal, formal, medical, and emergency), grievance appeals, and appellate review.

Open

Establish a grievance tracking system to ensure timely responses to all detainee grievances filed at Richwood.

Open

Comply with the PBNDS 2011 staff-detainee communication standard by: a. ensuring detainees can access paper request forms and can submit paper or electronic requests to ICE and facility staff; b. ensuring detainees have opportunities to communicate requests and receive responses in a language they can understand; and c. maintaining copies of each completed detainee request in detainees’ detention files.