Summary of CRCL Recommendation Memo and ICE's Response: Investigation of Irwin County Detention Center

Beginning in 2018 and 2021, CRCL began receiving a significant number of allegations concerning medical care at Irwin. In September 2020, CRCL had begun planning an onsite investigation at Irwin when CRCL received allegations involving unnecessary gynecological procedures performed on women without their informed consent. CRCL opened numerous complaints to investigate these allegations; however, the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) exercised its statutory right to retain these complaints, prohibiting CRCL from investigating until the OIG investigation is complete. In October and November 2020, CRCL continued to receive additional serious allegations involving lack of medical care, retaliation by facility staff towards noncitizens who reported poor conditions, inappropriate use of force. CRCL scheduled an onsite investigation at Irwin for June 2021; however, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced in May 2021 that ICE would discontinue the use of Irwin. As a result, CRCL canceled its onsite investigation.