The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency confirmed it will again utilize the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, according to multiple sources. While the agency has not confirmed whether detentions have already begun, reports indicate that individuals were temporarily held at the facility as early as Friday. This decision marks a significant shift, as the Biden administration halted detentions of immigrant women at Irwin in 2021 following widespread outcry over alleged medical misconduct.

A History of Allegations at Irwin County Detention Center

The Irwin County Detention Center first gained national attention in the fall of 2020 when a whistleblower – a nurse who previously worked at the facility – and numerous detained women came forward with disturbing allegations. They accused staff of performing “excessive, invasive, and often unnecessary gynecological procedures” without proper consent, as detailed in a comprehensive 2022 report by the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations. The Senate report highlighted “repeated failures” to obtain informed consent for medical procedures.

These allegations sparked a series of legal battles. Fourteen women filed a lawsuit against ICE and Irwin officials in 2021, with at least 40 women testifying to instances of medical misconduct, including non-consensual procedures. While the lawsuit was initially dismissed on procedural grounds in 2024, it was later settled earlier this year with no admission of liability. A separate defamation case, brought against a news organization reporting on alleged “mass hysterectomies” at the facility, found those specific claims unsubstantiated by a Georgia judge. The court ruling did, however, reaffirm the concerns regarding other gynecological procedures performed without adequate consent.

The facility, operated by private prison contractor LaSalle Corrections, has a long history of housing not only ICE detainees but also local and federal prisoners. Following the Biden administration’s pause on immigrant detentions, Irwin County and the U.S. Marshals Service continued to utilize the facility for other populations, as indicated in a facility audit conducted earlier this year.

The resumption of ICE detentions at Irwin comes as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to accelerate deportations, placing increased pressure on ICE and its partners. This has led to overcrowding within the detention system and a renewed reliance on private prison operators, as reported by The Washington Post.

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Concerns from Advocates and Former Officials

The decision to reopen Irwin has ignited alarm among immigration advocates and those familiar with the facility’s history. A former Department of Homeland Security civil rights official, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, described the move as “inhumane” and a “mistake.” “This administration does not care about civil rights and they certainly don’t care about the conditions of these facilities,” the official stated, adding that the administration appears focused on rapid deportations without due process or regard for detainee welfare.

Azadeh Shahshahani, legal and advocacy director at Project South, echoed these concerns, stating, “This shocking development is very much in line with this administration’s modus operandi of going to extreme lengths to dehumanize and brutalize migrants.” She affirmed support for the women who experienced medical abuse at Irwin.

What responsibility do private prison contractors bear in ensuring humane conditions within detention facilities? And how can oversight mechanisms be strengthened to prevent future abuses?

ICE has indicated that both men and women will be temporarily detained at Irwin for up to 72 hours, though this has not been officially confirmed. LaSalle Corrections has recently posted job openings at the facility, signaling preparations for increased activity.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Irwin County Detention Center