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ICE Detention Standards Compliance Audit - GEO Karnes County Correctional Center, Karnes City, TX, ICE, 2007

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a / e (~r.D.etention and Removal Operatiolls
.~.

Department of Homeland Security

5 I Street, l\'W
W'ishington, DC 20536
_k

u.s. Immigration

and Customs
Enforcement
April 18, 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR:

John P. Torres
Director
Office of D

FROM:

b6,b7c

Removal
b6,b7c

Deportatio
Reviewer in Charge )...
SUBJECT:

~

b6,b7c

..

GEO Karnes County Correctional Center Annual Detention Review

The San Antonio Field Office, Office of Detention and Removal conducted a detention review of the
GEO Kames County Correctional Center on April 16, 2007 - April 17, 2007. This review was
b6,b7c
b6,b7c
conducted by
DO, Reviewer-in-Charge (RIC),
DO, Team Membe~, and
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IEA, Team Member. This facility is used for detainees requiring housing over 72
hours.

Type of Review:
This review is a scheduled Operational Review to determine general compliance with established
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) National Detention Standards. This facility has been
in use by ICE since March 04, 1998.
Review Summary:
ll the review of the GEO Karnes County Detention Center was very pleasant. Warden
b6,b7c was open for suggestions and recommendations for improving daily operations and the
compliance of ICE Detention Standards

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Review Findings:
The following information summarizes those standards not in compliance. Each standard is
identified and a short summary provided regarding standards or procedures not currently in
compliance.
Compliant
Deficient

35

1

Subject: GEO Kames c . ty Detention Center Review summarleport
Page 2

At-Risk
Non-Applicable -

0
2

Standards Summary Findings:
Classification System:
There is no classification system in place only that all the detainees are classified
as a Level 2 (Medium) detainee.
ICE does not classify prior to delivery or provide the needed documentation for
classification during the Intake process.
Classification is a very sensitive area in regards to liability of a detainee while in
the custody of ICE, therefore it is rated as a deficiency that will addressed
immediately for correction.

RIC Observations:
•

•

Facility Staff: The Staff was extremely familiar with the policies and procedures in regards to
each and every post. The Staff acted in a very polite and professional manner during the
inspection.
During the inspection of the living quarters, detainees reported that there were no complaints
in regards to the facility and the staff.

RIC Issues and Concerns
Upon inspection of the classification system, it was determined that ICE was not classifying prior to
delivery or providing sufficient documentation. As a precaution all detainees are classified as
Medium Security (Level 2) detainee. This discrepancy is noted with the fault relying on ICE for not
providing the needed documentation to perform the task. Both ICE and the IGSA-GEO Kames were
notified the Classification Systems issue for review and an immediate fix.

Recommended Rating and Justification:
It is the Reviewer-In-Charge recommendation that the facility receive a rating of "GOOD". The
facility continues to make progress for full implementation of the ICE Detention Standards. The
facility now fully complies with 35 of 36 standards with 2 that were Not Applicable. The RIC
recommends that the RIC review standards for to be deficient in 90 day after receipt and concurrence
of the Facilities plans of action.

RI C Assurance Statement:
All findings of this review have been documented on Form G-324A and are supported by the written
documentation contained in the review file.

I

Department Of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforceme

Detention Facility Inspection Form
Facilities Used Over 72 hours

A. T

D
D

~

G. Accreditation Certificates
List all State or National Accreditation[s] received:

I CE Service Processing Center
I CE Contract Detention Facility
ICE Intergovernmental Service Agreement

~ Check box if facility has no accreditation[s]

B. Current Ins ection
Type of Inspection
~ Field Office D HQ Ins ection
Date[s] of Facility Review

04/16/07-04/17/07
C. PreviouslMost Recent Facilit Review
Date[s] of Last Facility Review
April 18-19, 2006
Previous Rating
D Superior ~ Good D Acceptable D Deficient D At-Risk

I .
H P ro blems IC ompJamts
(Coples must be attached)
The Facility is under Court Order or Class Action Finding
D Court Order
D Class Action Order
The Facility has Significant Litigation Pending
D Major Litigation
D Life/Safety Issues
~ Checkif None.
\.,

.

I F aCITt
uy H'ISt ory
Date Built
1995
Date Last Remodeled or Upgraded
1998
Date New Construction 1 Bedspace Added
0
Future Construction Planned
D Yes ~ No Date:
Current Bedspace
Future Bedspace (# New Beds only)
679
Number:
Date:

D. Name and Location of Facility
Name
GEO Karnes Coun Correctional Center
Address (Street and Name)
810 Commerce Street
City, State and Zip Code
Karnes Ci ,Texas
County
KarnesCoun
ief Executive Officer (Warden/OIC/Superintendent)

I

J. Total Facility Population
Total Facility Intake for previous 12 months
6538
Total ICE Mandays for Previous 12 months
29,117

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Tele
clude Area Code)
(830) b6,b7c
Field Office / Sub-Office (List Office with oversight responsibilities)
SNA Field Office
Distance from Field Office
Approximately 60 miles

E. ICE Information
Name of Inspector (Last Name, Title and Duty Station)
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1 Deportation Officer 1 SNA-Pearsall
eam Member 1 Title I Duty Location
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1 lEA 1 SNAIWillacy
Name of Team Member 1 Title 1 Duty Location
DO 1 SNA-Pearsall
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Name of Team Member 1 Title 1 Duty Location

't
FaCll
Tty Calacny
Rated
Operational
Emergency
Adult Male
679
679
679
Adult Female
0
0
0
D Facility holds Juveniles Offenders 16 and older as Adults

L

1 1

M. Average Daily Po

CDFIIGSA Information Only
ontract Number
Date of Contract or IGSA
ICS-USM -80-98-0024
0512912002
Basic Rates per Man-Day
$45.00
Other Charges: (If None, Indicate N/A)
Estimated Man-days Per Year

.

CIaSSIIca
'fi f IOn L eve I (ICE SPCsand CDFs 0 my.
I )
L-t
L-2
L-3
I Adult Male
nla
nla
nla
I Adult Female
0
0
0
K

r--T.=T--'-~U=S~M~S~'--O~th-e-r-'

Adult Male
Adult Female

572

o

0
0

N. Facility Staffing Level

1

b2High

rt:

Form G-324A (Rev. 8113/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

Significant Incident Summary Worksheet
For ICE to complete its review of your facility, the following information must be completed prior to the scheduled review dates. The
information on this form should contain data for the past twelve months in the boxes provided. The information on this form is used
in conjunction with the ICE Detention Standards in assessing your Detention Operations against the needs of the ICE and its detained
population. This form should be filled out by the facility prior to the start of any inspection. Failure to complete this section will
result in a delay in processing this report and the possible reduction or removal ofICE' detainees at your facility.

o
Assault:
Offenders on
Offenders!

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Restraints applied/used

o

o

o

o

Offender / Detainee Medical
Referrals as a result of
sustained.

o

o

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

5

17

o

6

2

6

o

3

0

o

o

o

0

o

o

o

5

2

o

o

Assault:
Detainee on
Staff

Number of Forced Moves,
inc!. Forced Cell moves 3
Disturbances 4
of Times Chemical

o

o

2

3

o

# Times Four/Five Point

o

Escapes
Actual
Grievances:

# Received
# Resolved in favor of
Offender/Detainee
Reason (V=Violent, I=Illness,
S=Suicide, A=Attempted

Deaths

Psychiatric / Medical
Referrals

# Medical Cases referred for
Outside Care
# Psychiatric Cases referred for
Outside Care

0

o

Any attempted physical contact or physical contact that involves two or more offenders
Oral, anal or vaginal penetration or attempted penetration involving at least 2 parties, whether it is consenting or non-consenting
Routine transportation of detainees/offenders is not considered "forced"
Any incident that involves four or more detainees/offenders, includes gang fights, organized multiple hunger strikes, work stoppages, hostage situations,
major fires, or other large scale incidents.

Form G-324A (Rev. 8113/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

1.
2.
3.
4.

Access to Legal Materials
Group Presentations on Legal Rights
Visitation
T
Access

Detainee Services
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

Admission and Release
Classification System
Correspondence and Other Mail
Detainee Handbook
Food Service
Funds and Personal Property
Detainee Grievance Procedures
Issuance and Exchange of Clothing, Bedding, and Towels
Marriage Requests
Non-Medical Emergency Escorted Trip

22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.

Contraband
Detention Files
Disciplinary Policy
Emergency Plans
Environmental Health and Safety
Hold Rooms in Detention Facilities
Key and Lock Control
Population Counts
Post Orders
Security Inspections
Special Management Units (Administrative Segregation)
Special Management Units (Disciplinary Segregation)
Tool Control
Transportation (Land management)
Use of Force
Staff / Detainee Communication (Added August 2003)
Detainee Transfer (Added September 2004)

All findings (Deficient and At-Risk) require written comment describing the finding and what is necessary to meet compliance.

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

RIC Review Assurance Statement

By signing below, the Reviewer-In-Charge (RIC) certifies that all findings of noncompliance with policy or inadequate controls
contained in the Inspection Report are supported by evidence that is sufficient and reliable. Furthermore, findings of noteworthy
accomplishments are supported by sufficient and reliable evidence. Within the scope of the review, the facility is operating in
accordance with applicable law and policy, and property and resources are efficiently used and adequately safeguarded, except for the
deficiencies noted in the report.

Reviewer-In-Charge: (Print Name)
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Title & Duty Location

D

SNA-Pearsall

04118/2007

Team Members
Print Name, Title, & Duty Location
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Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

lEA, SNA-Willacy

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Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

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Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

D Superior

Recommended Rating:

C8J Good

D Acceptable
D Deficient
D At-Risk
Comments:
I,
following information:

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, Reviewer in Charge of GEO Karnes County Correctional Center summarize the inspection with the

The GEO-Karnes appears to be a very well maintained and equipped facility. Most areas of day to day operations and contingency
plans were in a written format for review. A licensed nurse is on staff at all times along with a physician visiting once a week. A
Dentist visits the jail once a week based upon request made by the Detainees.
The only discrepancy noted was that the standards under Classification System are not being met. All detainees are being
classified as a Level 2, unless the detainee reveals his criminal history during the intake interview. At that time, they are placed in a
single man dorm. The facility has sufficient amount of dorms to segregate the different classifications. Both ICE and GEO-Karnes
were notified of the issue for an immediate fix.
Overall the jail is good. Warden
within their care are being met.

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and Asst. Warden

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are proactive on ensuring the rights and needs of every inmate

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04

MANAGEMENT REVIEW

IReview Authority
The signature below constitutes review of this report and acceptance by the Office of Detention and Removal. The Facility has 30
days from receipt of this report to respond to all findings and recommendations.
HQDRO MANAGEMENT REVIEW: (Print Name)

Signature

John P. Torres
Title

Date

Director (Acting)

Final Rating:

0

Superior

o Good
o Acceptable
o Deficient
OAt-Risk

Comments:
A finding of At-Risk is supported by the findings of the review team and are documented within the
Form G-324A and accompanying worksheets.

Form G-324A (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 10/1/04