•

041

Detention and Removal Operations

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
425 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20536

u.s. Immigration
and Customs
Enforcement

MEMORANDUM FOR:
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FROM:

arge
HQDROIDMDIDSCU
SUBJECT:

Headquarters Detention Review
Port Isabel Service Processing Center Annual Review

The Detention Management Division, Detention Standards Compliance Unit, performed a
Headquarters Detention Review of the Port Isabel Service Process Center (SPC) in Los
Fresnos, Texas on February 13-15,2007, The review was performed under the guidance of
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Reviewer-In-Charge. Team members included
, Atlanta Field
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Office,
Baltimore Field Office and
, Division ofImmigration Health
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Services (DIBS).
Type of Review

This review is a scheduled Headquarters Review, which is performed to determine overall
compliance with the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) National Detention Standards
(NDS). The facility received a previous rating of "Good" during the February 2006 review.
Review Summary

The American Correctional Association (ACA), the National Commission on Correctional
Heath care (NCCHC) and the Joint Accreditation Commission for Healthcare (JCAHO)
accredited the Port Isabel (SPC). The following information summarizes last dates of
successful accreditation and those standards that are not in compliance.
ACA:
NCCHC:
JCAHO:

January 2005
February 2006
March 2005

www.ice.gov

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Memorandum for John P. Torres
Port Isabel Service Processing Center Annual Review
Page 2

2006 Review
Compliant
Deficient
Repeat Deficiency
At-Risk

38
0
0
0

2007 Review
Compliant
Deficient
Repeat Deficiency
At-Risk

36
2
0
0

Review Findings:
The following standards received a rating of deficient:
Staff Detainee Communication-Deficient
The ICE requirement to communicate with detainees was implemented to ensure that detainees
had full access to immigration staff in charge of their immigration case. Detainees generally
do not have representation and usually have no other method for obtaining information
regarding their custody status or pending removal from the United States. A lack of
communication can leave a detainee frustrated and can result in a delay for court proceedings,
removal, and ultimately lead to the detainee exhibiting disruptive or other problematic
behavior. Deportation staff, by policy, has a responsibility to communicate effectively with
detainees assigned to their respective dockets and ensure that the detainee receives everything
they are entitled to by policy and/or regulation. The following areas of deficiency were noted
at Port Isabel Service Processing Center:
•
•
•

Deportation Officers are not visiting male or females in detainees units.
ICE staff does not respond to detainee requests within 72 hours.
Detainees are not receiving responses from detainee request forms.

The facility provided inconsistent documentary evidence that detention and deportation staff
conduct scheduled weekly visits to detainee living areas to observe current climate and
conditions of confinement. Although the schedule is posted for Immigration Enforcement
Agents to conduct visits, there was no sufficient evidence in the sign in logbook to support
officers posted schedule.
Recommendation:
•
•

Officers need to visit male and female living area.
Request forms need to be reviewed and answered within the 72-hour time frame.

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Memorandum for John P. Torres
Port Isabel Service Processing Center Annual Review
Page 3
Access To Medical Care-Deficient

•

All detainees shall have access to medical services that promote detainee health and general
well-being.
Medical facilities in service processing centers and contract detention facilities will maintain
current accreditation by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Each medical
facility will strive for accreditation with the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health
Care Organizations.

•

After interview of detainees and review of approximately 75 random sick call requests,
approximately 70% ofthe requests were reviewed, triaged and seen within 2-4 days of
submitting, approximately, 20% averaged 6-8 days and approximately 10% were
greater than 10 days. The majority of the detainees interviewed (4 different pods) were
dissatisfied with medical service. The policy at PIDC, which was verbally confirmed
by the Health Service Administrator, indicates sick call requests will be picked up and
triaged daily by medical staff. Based on the severity of the request, appointments will
be scheduled accordingly. Sick call is conducted 7 days per week.
A total of 62 charts were randomly audited. During the audit, all PEs had been
completed within 14 days of arrival. All chronic medical files reviewed had a PE
completed by a Provider.

Recommendation: Over all, this standard has been met; however, 30% of sick call slips were
not reviewed, triaged and scheduled in a timely marmer for an appointment according to the
standards. Reviewer discussed verbally with CAPT Moe, Health Service Administrator
regarding the sick call requests deficiency. Corrective action (verbal) per CAPT b6, b7c The
medical staff will begin, immediately, daily triaging every sick call request submitted.
Reviewer recommends review of corrective action of sick call standard in 6months.

•

During the first two days of the review, medical staffing included 1 RN on day shift (12
hours), two RNs on night shift (12 hours) and one LPN (3-11p). Responsibilities
include pill line for over 100 detainees, sick call for 80-100 detainees, emergency
response, lab procedures, equipment checks, etc. Support staff during the day is
composed of the clinical Director, (2) AHSA, and a Mid level provider.

Recommendation: More medical staff is needed to meet the health care needs of the
population based on
the size of the facility, the type and scope of health care services provided, the needs of the
detainee population and the organizational structure.

•

Several medical files were noted to have scarmed forms o
screening (1- 794) forms. Verbal confirmation by LCDR
use of these forms was given by DIHS-HQ.

b6

D substitute
states approval for

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Memorandum for John P. Torres
Port Isabel Service Processing Center Annual Review
Page 4
Recommendation: Recommend all substitute screening forms are submitted for approval to
the Health Service Division prior to use at the facility.
The following best practices were observed:
Funds and Personal Property-Best Practice
The Funds and Property section demonstrated a meticulous and exceptionally accurate system
to maintaining funds and personal property. The property room is very organized and each
container tagged with an 1-77 and sealed, the facility also created a numerical tag system as a
way of organizing property. The funds and small valuables are also marked with the
corresponding tag number so that the detainee receives all of his or her property and not just
part of the property before leaving the facility. Despite the fact that this facility holds such a
large number of detainees and has a high removal rate it still maintains one of the most
accurate and effective property systems.
Tool Control-Best Practice
Tool Control maintenance shop was extremely clean and organized, the maintenance
Supervisor and Tool Control Officer has a unique way of conducting their monthly inventory.
All tools are located on shadow boards that is specified not only by bin numbers but also on
hanging inventory sheets for particular section as well as kept on a computer backup drive.

Significant Observations
Staff-Interaction
The management staffs at Port Isabel SPC were professional and included many years of
experience and various law enforcement backgrounds. Staff noticeably emulated the
professionalism set forth by their management team.
Any information requested was retrieved in an expeditious manner and any concerns were
addressed immediately. The staffwas well versed in policy and procedure at this location and
took pride in their facility.

Recommended Rating and Justification:
The Reviewer-In-Charge recommends that the facility receive a rating of "Acceptable." The
facility complies with 36 of 38 Immigration and Customs Enforcement, National Detention
Standards.

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Memorandum for John P. Torres
Port Isabel Service Processing Center Annual Review
Page 5
RIC Assurance Statement

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The findings of compliance and noncompliance are documented on the G-324a Inspection
form and are supported by documentation in the review file.

Department Of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement

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A. Type of Facility Reviewed
[8J
ICE Service Processing Center
D
ICE Contract Detention Facility
D
ICE Intergovernmental Service Agreement
B. Current Inspection
Type ofInspcction
D Field Office [8J HQ Inspection
Date[s] of Facility Review
FebrUary 13-15,2007

G. Accreditation Certificates
List all State or National Accreditation[s] received:
ACA, NCCHC, JCAHO
D Check box if fucility has no accreditation[s1

.

C. PreviouslMost Recent Facility Review
Date[s] of Last Facility Review
February, 2006
Previous Rating
D Superior [8J Good D Acceptable D Deficient D At-Risk
D. Name and Location ofFacili
Name
Port Isabel Detention Center
Add..... (Street and Name)
27991 Buena Vista Road
City, State and Zip Code

Cameron
f Chief Executive Officer (Warden/OIC/Superintendent)
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Telephone # (Include Area Code)
956 b6, b7c

Field Office / Sub-Office (List Office with oversight responsibilities)
Sao Antonio! Harlingen

Distance from Field Office
2SO!30 miles

.

ICE Information
r (Last Name, Title and Duty Station)
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D&D Officer I Washin~on, DC
Name of Team Member I Title I Duty Location
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I DO I Atlanta Field Office
Name of Team Member I Title I Duty Location
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I DO I Baltimore Field Office
m Member I Title I Duty Location
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LTCDR I DIHS Aguad;lla, PR

.

H. Problems I Complaints (Copies 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 Maior Litil(8tion
D Life/Safetv Issues
D Check if None.

I. Facilitv History
OateBuilt
1955 with new fucilitv ollended on 2/5/07
Date Last Remodeled or Upgraded
2007
Date New Construction I Bedspace Added
2001
Futnre Construction Planned
(;gJ Yes D No Date: Pending
Current Bedspace
Future Bedspace (# New Beds ouly)
1200
Number: 2000 Date: unknown

I

Los Fresno, Texas 78566
County

E

Detention Facility Inspection Form
Facilities Used Over 72 hours

t·lOR 0 mv
I
F CDFIIGSA I norma
Co
Contract Number
Date of Contract or IGSA
N/A
Basic Rates per Man-Oay

I

Other Charges: (If None, Indicate N/A)
,
,
;
Estimated Man-days Per Year

J. Total Facili Po ulation
Total Facility Intake for previous 12 months
10,483
Total ICE Mandays for Previous 12 months
170,170
K. Classification Level (ICE SPes and CDFs Only)
L-l
L-2
L-3
I AdultMaie
329
208
273
I Adult Female
124
22
0
L. Facility Ca acitv
Emerj!ency
Operational
Rated
Adult Male
900
900
900
Adult Female
300
300
300
D Facilitv holds Juveniles Offenders 16 and older as Adults

.

a on
M Average D·IP
al y opulti
ICE
I Adult Male
805
Adult Female
300

r

USMS
0
0

Other
0
0

Support:
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Form G-324A (Rev. 8/13/04) No Prior Version May Be Used After 1011/04

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I.
2.
3.
4.

Access to Legal Materials
Group Presentations on Legal Rights
Visitation
Access

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
II.
12.
13.
14.
IS.
16.
17.

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
Recreation
Religious Practices
Work

18.
19.
20.
21.

Hunger Strikes
Medical Care
Suicide Prevention and Intervention
Advanced Directives and Death

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

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 1 Detainee Communication (Added August 2003)
Detainee Transfer (Added September 2004)

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

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RIC Review Assurauce 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, rmdings of noteworthy
accomplislnuents are supported by sufficient and reliable evidence. Within the scope ofthe 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)

Sig

b6, b7c

b6, b7c

Title & Duty Location

Date

D & D Officer, Washington, DC

April 11,2007

Team Members

.

Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

Print Name, Title, & Duty Location
b6, b7c

DO, Atlanta Field Office

b6, b7c

b6

DO, Baltimore Field Office

Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

Print Name, Title, & Duty Location

LTCMR ,DIHS, Miami Field office

Recommended Rating:

D Superior
DGood

IZI Acceptable
D Deficient
D At-Risk
Comments:

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

MANAGEMENT REVIEW

r

•

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

John P. Torres
Title

Date

Director

411112007

Final Rating:

D Superior
DGood
I:2J Acceptable
D Deficient
D At-Risk

Comments:

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