ICE Detention Standards Compliance Audit - Central Arizona Detention Center, Florence, AZ, ICE, 2013
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility Inspections and Detention Oversight Washington, DC 20536-5501 Office of Detention Oversight Compliance Inspection Enforcement and Removal Operations Phoenix Field Office Central Arizona Detention Center Florence, Arizona April 9 - 11, 2013 COMPLIANCE INSPECTION CENTRAL ARIZONA DETENTION FACILITY PHOENIX FIELD OFFICE TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...............................................................................................1 INSPECTION PROCESS Report Organization .................................................................................................6 Inspection Team Members .......................................................................................6 OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT Internal Relations .....................................................................................................7 Detainee Relations ...................................................................................................7 ICE PERFORMANCE-BASED NATIONAL DETENTION STANDARDS Detention Standards Reviewed ................................................................................8 Food Service ............................................................................................................9 Grievance System ..................................................................................................11 housed at CADC. ODO verified the staffing plan is reviewed annually. Training files and credential files for all medical staff are complete, and licenses are primary source verified. Detainees requiring medical services beyond the scope of care provided by CADC are transferred to a detention facility capable of providing adequate care, or to the Florence Anthem Hospital, which is approximately nine miles away. Emergency medical transportation is provided by an ambulance service located approximately two miles from the facility. There are three separate medical areas within CADC. The main clinic, which is used primarily for inmates, has five examination/treatment rooms, administrative offices, mental health offices, a laboratory, a pharmacy, and a medical records area. A second clinic is used primarily for the ICE detainee population and includes a ten-bed observation area, four negative pressure rooms for tuberculosis isolation, a two-chair dental suite, an x-ray room, a nurses’ station, and two wellequipped examination rooms with adequate privacy and emergency response equipment. A detention officer stationed within the clinic provides custody supervision. A third satellite clinic is currently closed and non-operational. ODO observed all aspects of the admission process to be efficient and timely. Nursing staff conduct routine intake screenings of detainees in a private examination room within 12 hours of admission. Mental health, dental issues, and sexual assault history are addressed. All females are tested for pregnancy. Detainees are screened for symptoms of tuberculosis and receive a purified protein derivative test at admission. If the purified protein derivative test is positive, a chest x-ray is completed on-site to rule out tuberculosis. The Clinical Director reviews all intake screening forms the next business day to assess priority for treatment. A hands-on physical examination and a dental examination are completed within 14 days of admission. ODO examined 30 medical records for females, chronic care patients, and randomly-selected healthy detainees. ODO confirmed full compliance with PBNDS requirements for an intake screening, tuberculosis test, physical examination, and dental screening in all 30 medical records reviewed. Detainees are not charged co-pays or other fees for health care services or medications. CADC management stated the language line telephone translation service is used to facilitate proper communication of medical information to non-English speaking detainees when necessary. Detainees request healthcare services by completing a medical request form in duplicate. The completed request forms, printed in English and Spanish, are deposited by detainees in readily accessible lockboxes for collection by medical personnel. Collection occurs once daily, seven days a week. The original form is filed in the medical record, and the detainee receives a copy. ODO confirmed the forms are available in each housing unit. A registered nurse conducts a face-to-face triage in each housing unit. A review of medical records confirmed next-day triage, with medical requests addressed timely and appropriately. Sick call is conducted in the clinic on a daily basis using physician-approved protocols provided by CCA. There were no detainees housed in the Special Management Unit (SMU) at the time of the review; however, ODO confirmed that per CADC policy, nurses conduct twice daily face-toface wellness checks of each detainee housed in the SMU. During these wellness checks, medical request forms are collected. Segregation sick call appointments are conducted in a private examination room located within the SMU. Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 3 Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix Nursing staff administer medications using a secure medication cart. A wristband worn by each detainee is read using a hand-held scanner to access the electronic Medication Administration Record. This electronic system can access the entire medical record for reference. The Health Services Administrator stated this system has reduced medication errors dramatically. ODO cites this as a best practice. ODO confirmed there were no suicide attempts during the 12 months preceding this CI. During this CI, there were no detainees on suicide watch. ODO reviewed the CADC suicide prevention training plan and noted all required elements are covered in accordance with the PBNDS. ODO confirmed suicide prevention training for all correctional and medical staff is current. ODO verified CADC policy requires officers to conduct and document 15-minute checks of detainees placed on suicide watch in accordance with the PBNDS. CADC has a designated Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention (SAAPI) Coordinator. Information regarding the SAAPI program is provided in the detainee handbook, during orientation via the facility orientation video, and through postings in each housing unit. Upon arrival at CADC, detainees are screened for victimization risk and to identify potential sexual aggressors. Potential aggressors are identified and are immediately transferred to another facility. Detainees with a history of, or who are at risk for, victimization are referred to mental health staff for further evaluation and assistance. ODO confirmed the facility did not have any sexual abuse or assault allegations reported to the Joint Intake Center. The administrative SMU and the disciplinary SMU at CADC are well lit, temperatureappropriate, and sanitary. ODO verified medical, custody, and administrative personnel visit the SMU as required by the PBNDS. At the time of this inspection, there were no detainees in administrative or disciplinary segregation. During the 12 months preceding this CI, four detainees were placed in administrative segregation. Three of the four detainees were pending investigation and possible disciplinary hearings after engaging in physical altercations. The fourth detainee was in protective custody. Per agreement with ERO, the detainees placed in administrative segregation were removed from the facility within 24 hours and placed at an alternate location within the ERO inventory of facilities. Detainees use secure lockboxes located in each housing unit to submit written requests. An ERO officer collects the completed request forms on a daily basis. Detainee requests are electronically logged and responses are provided to detainees within 72 hours of receipt. ERO officers conduct weekly scheduled visits to detainee housing units to address questions or concerns. Detainee request forms are printed in English and Spanish. ERO officer visitation schedules and Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General Hotline posters are conspicuously displayed throughout the facility. ODO verified scheduled and unannounced supervisory and non-supervisory staff visits are conducted and documented by ERO staff. CADC has a comprehensive written policy governing the use of force. Facility personnel do not use four-point restraints, restraint chairs, or electro-muscular disruption devices. Protective equipment and hand-held video cameras designated for use in calculated use of force incidents are available in three locations within the facility to facilitate quick access and accelerated Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 4 Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix response times. There were no use of force incidents at CADC during the 12 months preceding this CI. Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 5 Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix INSPECTION PROCESS ODO inspections evaluate the welfare, safety, and living conditions of detainees. ODO primarily focuses on areas of noncompliance with the ICE National Detention Standards (NDS) or the ICE PBNDS as applicable. The PBNDS apply to CADC. In addition, ODO may focus its inspection based on detention management information provided by the ERO Headquarters and ERO field offices, and on issues of high priority or interest to ICE executive management. ODO reviewed the processes employed at CADC to determine compliance with current policies and detention standards. Prior to the inspection, ODO collected and analyzed relevant allegations and detainee information from multiple ICE databases, including the Joint Integrity Case Management System, the ENFORCE Alien Booking Module, and the ENFORCE Alien Removal Module. ODO also gathered facility facts and inspection-related information from ERO Headquarters staff to prepare for the site visit at CADC. REPORT ORGANIZATION This report documents inspection results, serves as an official record, and is intended to provide ICE and detention facility management with a comprehensive evaluation of compliance with policies and detention standards. It summarizes those PBNDS that ODO found deficient in at least one aspect of the standard. ODO reports convey information to best enable prompt corrective actions and to assist in the on-going process of incorporating best practices in nationwide detention facility operations. OPR defines a deficiency as a violation of written policy that can be specifically linked to the PBNDS, ICE policy, or operational procedure. When possible, the report includes contextual and quantitative information relevant to the cited standard. Deficiencies are highlighted in bold throughout the report and are encoded sequentially according to a detention standard designator. Comments and questions regarding the report findings should be forwarded to the Deputy Division Director, OPR ODO. INSPECTION TEAM MEMBERS (b)(6), (b)(7)c Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 Special Agent (Team Leader) Special Agent Detention and Deportation Officer Contract Inspector Contract Inspector Contract Inspector 6 ODO, Phoenix ODO, Phoenix ODO, San Diego Creative Corrections Creative Corrections Creative Corrections Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT INTERNAL RELATIONS ODO interviewed the Warden, the Assistant Warden, an Assistant Field Office Director, and a Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer. During the interviews, all personnel stated the working relationship between CADC and ERO is excellent, and morale is high. The Warden and the Assistant Field Office Director stated sufficient personnel are assigned to handle the current detainee population at CADC, and ERO officers visit the housing units multiple times each week to communicate with ICE detainees and address issues or concerns. DETAINEE RELATIONS ODO interviewed 25 randomly-selected detainees to assess the overall living and detention conditions at CADC. ODO received no complaints regarding food service, the grievance process, issuance and replenishment of hygiene supplies, law libraries and legal material, sending and receiving mail, medical care, religious services, or visitation. Approximately 300 of the 359 detainees at CADC at the time of this CI had been housed at the facility for fewer than ten days after being temporarily re-located to CADC due to a lack of bed space in other regions of the United States. Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 7 Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix ICE PERFORMANCE-BASED NATIONAL DETENTION STANDARDS ODO reviewed a total of 16 PBNDS and found CADC fully compliant with the following 14 standards: Admission and Release Classification System Detainee Handbook Disciplinary System Funds and Personal Property Law Libraries and Legal Material Medical Care Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention Special Management Units Staff-Detainee Communication Suicide Prevention and Intervention Telephone Access Terminal Illness, Advance Directives, and Death Use of Force and Restraints As these standards were compliant at the time of the review, a synopsis for these areas was not prepared for this report. ODO found deficiencies in the following two standards: Food Service Grievance System Findings for each of these standards are presented in the remainder of this report. Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 8 Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix FOOD SERVICE (FS) ODO reviewed the Food Service standard at CADC to determine if detainees are provided with a nutritious and balanced diet, in a sanitary manner, in accordance with the ICE PBNDS. ODO interviewed staff, inspected storage areas, observed meal preparation and service, and reviewed policy and relevant documentation. The food service operation at CADC is managed under contract by Trinity Services Group, Incorporated. Food service personnel consist of the Food Service Director,(b)(7)e assistant managers, and (b)(7)esupervisors. Food service staff is supported by(b)(7)einmate food service workers. There are no ICE detainees assigned to work in food service. ODO verified staff and inmate workers receive medical clearances prior to assignment to food service. Review of documentation confirmed the master cycle menu was certified as nutritionally complete by a registered dietician on April 12, 2012. A menu for the subsequent 12 months was approved by a registered dietician and ready for implementation on April 13, 2013. Three hot meals per day are prepared for approximately 2,400 inmates and detainees. A review of documentation confirmed medical diets are provided as ordered by healthcare providers, and detainee requests for religious diets are forwarded to the Chaplain for verification and approval. ODO reviewed documentation confirming a ceremonial meal schedule developed by the Chaplain is in place. The facility has a satellite system of meal service. After meals are prepared in the kitchen, they are transported to six satellite serving lines located in the corridors outside the housing units. Detainees are escorted to the serving line, receive a tray, and return to the housing unit to eat. ODO observed serving of the noon meal on the first and second day of the inspection. Food temperatures were checked with a thermometer and confirmed to meet PBNDS requirements. A random tray was chosen from the serving line and sampled. The food items were consistent with the menu and found to be of good quality and taste. ODO noted the counter for serving detainees was constructed to separate and insulate hot foods from cold foods, but the sneeze guard was missing. ODO confirmed sneeze guards were missing from every serving line in the facility. ODO inspected the serving carts on the satellite serving lines and confirmed they also were not equipped with sneeze guards as required by the PBNDS (Deficiency FS-1). Sneeze guards shield food items from bacteria and viruses spread by sneezes and coughs. No knives are used in the food service operation at CADC. A correctional officer supervises inventories and maintains all tools used in the kitchen. ODO confirmed monthly vermin and pest control treatments are completed. Documentation confirms food service supervisors complete daily sanitation inspections and submit the results to the Food Service Director. Pinal County Environmental Health Services in Florence, Arizona, conducted an annual external inspection of the CADC food service operation on February 12, 2013, and no code violations were identified. ODO found sanitation throughout the kitchen and serving line areas to be at an acceptable level. ODO confirmed temperatures of the coolers and freezers met requirements. ODO inspected the two dry storage areas and verified products were properly stored. Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 9 Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix STANDARD/POLICY REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFICIENT FINDINGS DEFICIENCY FS-1 In accordance with the ICE PBNDS, Food Service, section (V)(D)(5), the FOD must ensure the serving counter shall be designed and constructed to separate and insulate the hot foods on the one hand and the cold foods on the other. A transparent "sneeze guard" is required. Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 10 Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix GRIEVANCE SYSTEM (GS) ODO reviewed the Grievance System standard at CADC to determine if a process to submit formal or emergency grievances exists, and if responses are provided in a timely manner without fear of reprisal. In addition, ODO reviewed the grievance logbook to determine if detainees have an opportunity to appeal responses and if accurate records are maintained in accordance with the ICE PBNDS. ODO interviewed staff and reviewed local policies and procedures, the detainee handbook, detention files, and grievance logs. CADC has a policy and procedure in place requiring staff to respond to emergency grievances, including medical grievances, within 24 hours. CADC has a policy requiring all medical grievances be received by the health authority within 24 hours, or the next business day. ODO confirmed no grievances were reported within the 12 months preceding this CI. CADC policy does not require medical grievances to be placed in individual medical files as required by the PBNDS (Deficiency GS-1). STANDARD/POLICY REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFICIENT FINDINGS DEFICIENCY GS-1 In accordance with the ICE PBNDS, Grievance System, section (V)(E), the FOD must ensure medical grievances are maintained in the detainee’s medical file. Office of Detention Oversight April 2013 OPR 201304335 11 Central Arizona Detention Center ERO Phoenix