Irwin County Detention Center

Irwin County Detention Center Information

Unveiling the Irwin County Detention Center: A Closer Look

The Irwin County Detention Center, situated in Ocilla, Georgia, has recently come under intense scrutiny due to allegations of mistreatment and subpar conditions within the facility. In this in-depth exploration, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Irwin County Detention Center, covering its operational aspects, recent controversies, and its significance within the broader context of the U.S. immigration detention system.

Understanding the Irwin County Detention Center
The Irwin County Detention Center, owned and operated by LaSalle Corrections Southeast, operates under the governance of the Irwin County Commissioners. It serves as a place of detention for various categories of individuals, including ICE detainees, U.S. Marshals Service detainees, and Irwin County inmates. Notably, it houses both male and female ICE detainees, representing different classification levels, with ICE maintaining an on-site presence.
Services and Accommodation: The facility is equipped to provide a wide array of services. Medical, dental, and mental health care are administered by LaSalle Corrections, and one notable aspect is that detainees are not charged co-pay fees for medical services. The physical layout of the facility includes individual cells, multi-bed cells, 32-bed dormitories, and 100-bed dormitories. Housing units also have dayrooms that offer a communal space for meals and socialization. Additionally, detainees have access to telephones and tablets for communication.

Contact Information and Inmate Search
For those seeking to contact the Irwin County Detention Center or visit detainees, it's important to be aware of visitation days and dress codes:
Visitation Hours:
•    Visitation hours at the Irwin County Detention Center are as follows:
•    Monday: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
•    Tuesday: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
•    Wednesday: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
•    Thursday: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
•    Friday: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
•    Saturday: 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
•    Sunday: 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Dress Code for Visits:
•    Visitors should be aware of the dress code when visiting the facility. It's advisable to dress appropriately and modestly. Avoid wearing clothing with offensive or provocative images or messages. Dressing conservatively and respectfully is encouraged to ensure smooth visitation experiences.

These details are crucial for anyone planning to visit detainees at the Irwin County Detention Center, as adhering to the visitation schedule and dress code is essential to maintain a respectful and orderly environment during visits.

Recent Controversies
The Irwin County Detention Center found itself at the epicenter of a national controversy, when alarming allegations surfaced. At least 43 women prisoners and a whistleblower nurse made grave accusations, including non-consensual surgeries and medically unnecessary procedures, such as hysterectomies, carried out by a gynecologist affiliated with the facility. These allegations triggered a chain of significant events:

ICE Terminates Contract

In response to the allegations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made a decisive move to terminate its contract with the facility, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The controversy raised critical concerns regarding the treatment and rights of detainees within the facility.

Lawsuits and Investigations

On December 22, 2020, a lawsuit was filed by forty migrant women who were being held at the facility. They alleged abuse and unnecessary forced medical procedures, including hysterectomies. Furthermore, the women complained of retaliation and inadequate COVID-19 treatment. Both the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched investigations into these allegations. Advocates called upon President Joe Biden and Congress to probe the alleged abuse and consider the possibility of closing the Irwin County Detention Center.

Contract Termination

Subsequently, ICE opted not to renew its contract with LaSalle, leading to the removal of immigration-related detainees in September 2021.

Accreditation and Transfers

Understanding the accreditation status and transfer data of the facility provides insights into its operations and its place within the broader framework of immigration detention.
Accreditation Status: The Irwin County Detention Center currently lacks accreditation from several key bodies, including the American Correctional Association (ACA), the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), and the Joint Commission (TJC). It's important to note that it also lacks accreditation under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

Transfers of ICE Detainees

During the past 12 months, 4,233 detainees were transferred by ICE from the Irwin County Detention Center to other facilities. It's worth highlighting that the average duration of their stay before being transferred was 23 days.
National Rankings: The facility occupies a prominent position, ranking in the top 5% nationwide for the number of individuals it transfers to other ICE facilities. Notably, the average length of stay before transfer at the Irwin County Detention Center is 23 days, placing it in the top 35% among all facilities nationwide.

Irwin County Detention Center in the National Context
The broader perspective of how the Irwin County Detention Center compares to other detention facilities across the United States offers valuable context.

Detainee Transfers Nationwide

The Irwin County Detention Center is one of 637 facilities nationwide that house ICE detainees. It is particularly significant, given its ranking in the top 5% for the number of individuals transferred to other ICE facilities. This indicates a considerable role within the immigration detention system.

Transfer Destinations

When examining the destinations of transferred detainees, it's evident that 28% of transfers from the facility were to locations within the same region, while 72% were directed to detention facilities in different regions.

Nationalities of Detainees

An analysis of the nationalities of detainees reveals that Mexican detainees comprise the largest group among transfers, both at the national level and within the facility. Specifically, in descending order, the top nationalities among transfers from the Irwin County Detention Center were Mexican (61%), Guatemalan (9%), El Salvadoran (6%), Honduran (6%), and Jamaican (2%).

Contact Information and Inmate Search
For those seeking to contact the Irwin County Detention Center or access information about inmates, the following details are provided:
•    You can reach the facility by visiting the offices at 132 Cotton Drive, Ocilla, GA, 31774, or calling 229-468-4121 for inquiries.
•    Additionally, you may want to explore the official website of the Irwin County Detention Center for more comprehensive information and details about inmates.

Final Thoughts
The Irwin County Detention Center has emerged as a focal point for discussions on the treatment and rights of detainees within the U.S. immigration detention system. While the facility holds various accreditations, the recent allegations have brought to light concerns about the well-being of those held there. A comprehensive understanding of the facility's role in detainee transfers and its significance within the national context is vital for addressing the broader issues associated with immigration detention.

Phone: 229-468-4121

Physical Address:
Irwin County Detention Center
132 Cotton Drive
Ocilla, GA 31774

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Irwin County Detention Center
132 Cotton Drive
Ocilla, GA 31774

Other Jails and Prisons

Search Irwin County Detention Center Inmates

Search Irwin County Detention Center Inmates

How Do You Find Someone in the Irwin County Detention Center?

How to Find Someone in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detainee Locator

When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE. 

Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.

However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.


There are two ways to search for an ICE Detainee:

You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.

  • An A-Number is a 9-digit number that either looks like this: A-123456789, or like this 123-456-789. This is required if you do not know their name.
    It is also called a Registration Number when on a visa, or a USCIS# when on a Green Card.
    If for whatever reason the A-Number you have does not have 9-digits, you need to add 0s (zeroes) to the front of the number until the number has 9-digits.

    That number might then look like this:  001234567.


You can also try and look them up by using their name.

  • In order for this to be effective, you need to have the exact name that is either on their paperwork, or the the name with the exact spelling that they gave ICE. This is required.
  • You also need to know the country of their birth, or the country of their birth that they gave ICE. This is required.
  • Knowing their Date of Birth is helpful but not required to find them in the system.


Important things to know about using the ICE Detainee Locator

  • You do not need to set up an account to use the Detainee Locator System.
  • A-Number stands for 'Alien Registration Number'.
  • The System does not have information on all detainees in custody.
  • Juvenile names are NOT in the System.
  • The Detainee Locator System is updated every 8 hours, sometimes sooner.
  • If the detainee is being moved to a new facility, the new location will not be shown until they have arrived and are processed. 
  • No warnings or prior notice are given in advance of a detainee being moved.
  • While being transferred to a different facility they may still be shown online as being in the original facility.
  • If you are planning a visit, always call before you come to confirm the detainee is still at the facility and has not been moved.
  • To visit a detainee you must have some type of government issued photo ID, or other identification when photo identification is unavailable for religious reasons.
  • If you are unable to find the detainee using the System, contact the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in the area where you believe the person's immigration case was initiated or the Detainee Reporting and Information Line (DRIL) at 888-351-4024.

Pamphlets in various languages with Instructions on how to use the Online Detainee Locator System:

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Directions / Map to the Irwin County Detention Center
Understanding US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

What is an ICE Detention Center?

Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.

Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.

What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?

ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.

Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:

The illegal immigrant has:

  • committed a crime, or multiple crimes
  • arrived at the border without a visa prior to formally applying for asylum or refugee status
  • an outstanding removal (deportation) order on record, either pending or past due, or
  • missed prior immigration hearing dates.

 

How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?

The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.

It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.

The information you will need is as follows:

  • the person’s full name as it appears in the ICE System. The exact spelling and the order of how the name is listed is required.
  • the person’s date of birth
  • the person’s country of birth

If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.

If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.

If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.

Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.

Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.

The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.

If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.

Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.

How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?

The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.

This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.

Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?

The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.

If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.

What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?

(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)

  • Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude (see list). This includes any attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime. It does not include crimes that were committed that the illegal immigrant committed when they were under the age of 18 years, however the person must have been released from jail more than five years before applying for a visa or other immigration benefit. It also does not include crimes for which the maximum penalty did not exceed one year in prison and the person was not, in fact, sentenced to more than six months in prison.
  • Conviction or admission of a controlled substance violation, whether under U.S. or foreign law. This includes any conspiracy to commit such a crime.
  • Convictions for two or more crimes (other than purely political ones) for which the prison sentences totaled at least five years. This multiple-offense ground of inadmissibility applies whether or not the convictions came from a single trial and whether or not the offenses arose from a single scheme of misconduct or involved moral turpitude.
  • Conviction of or participation in (according to the reasonable belief of the U.S. government) controlled substance trafficking. This includes anyone who knowingly aided, abetted, assisted, conspired, or colluded in illicit drug trafficking. It also includes the spouse, son, or daughter of the inadmissible applicant if that person has, within the last five years, received any financial or other benefit from the illicit activities, and knew or reasonably should have known where the money or benefit came from.
  • Having the purpose of engaging in prostitution or commercialized vice upon coming to the United States, or a history, within the previous ten years, of having engaged in prostitution.
  • Procurement or attempted procurement or importation of prostitutes, directly or indirectly, or receipt of proceeds of prostitution, any of which occurred within the previous ten years.
  • Assertion of immunity from prosecution after committing a serious criminal offense in the U.S., if the person was thus able to depart the U.S. and has not since submitted fully to the jurisdiction of the relevant U.S. Court.
  • Commission of particularly severe violations of religious freedom while serving as a foreign government official.
  • Commission of or conspiracy to commit human trafficking offenses, within or outside the U.S., or being a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with such a trafficker according to the knowledge or reasonable belief of the U.S. government. Also inadmissible are the spouse, son, or daughter the applicant if they, within the previous five years (but when older than children), received financial or other benefits from the illicit activity and knew or reasonably should have known that the money or other benefit came from the illicit activity.
  • Conviction of an aggravated felony, if the person was removed from the U.S. and seeks to return (this ground of inadmissibility lasts for 20 years)
  • Seeking to enter the U.S. to engage in money laundering, or a history of having laundered money, or having been (according to the knowledge of the U.S. government) a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with money launderers.

These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.

Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?

If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.

The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).

Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.

Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.

Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.

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This facility, known as "Irwin County Detention Center" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.