ORLANDO, Fla. — A Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General report found ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ held detainees in “cramped conditions” that were harmful to their physical and mental health.
The report also called out a lack of standards, shared photos of 18 square-foot enclosures called “calming areas,” and recommended that more space, pest control and clean water be available to detainees.
The facility closed in June.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that the state had every intention of not only meeting, but exceeding standards at the facility.
“The goal was not only to comply with those standards, but to exceed those standards, that’s why we devoted so many resources to it. But here’s the thing, we had tens of millions of people come in illegally over the last generation, probably 10 million under Biden alone, and you’re either going to do something about it or you’re not,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate for governor, was asked if he’s elected, whether he will investigate the findings of the report.
“Now that that facility has been closed, calling for an investigation into something that’s no longer in operation, honestly sounds like busy work,” he said.
Spectrum News 13 reached out to Democratic candidate David Jolly for comment, but had not heard back.
State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith took to Facebook with his reaction. The Democrat called the findings “disgusting,” but not surprising.
“We always said the Everglades detention camp was cruel and inhumane since the beginning,” the post stated. “‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may have shut down, but there needs to be accountability for the atrocities that occurred there and for the BILLIONS in state taxpayers dollars spent in our name.”