The decision to utilize the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, for detaining immigrants has reignited serious concerns among advocates and legal experts, particularly given the facility’s troubled history. This facility gained notoriety in 2020 when allegations surfaced that women detained there were subjected to non-consensual gynecological procedures. These claims were brought to light by a whistleblower nurse and a number of detained women, leading to widespread outrage and scrutiny.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson confirmed that the agency would be using the Irwin facility, although it remains unclear whether detentions have already commenced. Reports from attorneys and advocates indicate that ICE began temporarily detaining individuals at Irwin, with some suggesting that both men and women would be held there for a maximum of 72 hours. However, ICE has not provided definitive details on this arrangement.
The Biden administration had previously halted the detention of immigrant women at Irwin in 2021, following an 18-month Senate Subcommittee on Investigations probe. This investigation revealed that female detainees were subjected to “excessive, invasive, and often unnecessary gynecological procedures” without proper informed consent. The report underscored systemic failures within the facility, raising alarms about the treatment of vulnerable populations.
Legal battles ensued as fourteen women filed lawsuits against ICE and Irwin officials, alleging medical misconduct. While many of these claims were dismissed on procedural grounds in 2024, the settlement reached earlier this year did not include any admission of liability, leaving many questions unanswered. A Georgia judge also ruled that accusations regarding “mass hysterectomies” performed at Irwin were unfounded, yet the Senate report confirmed that other gynecological procedures were conducted without appropriate consent.
The renewed use of Irwin has drawn sharp criticism from immigration advocates and former officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One anonymous former official described the situation as “inhumane,” emphasizing that returning to this facility would be a grave mistake. Azadeh Shahshahani, legal and advocacy director at Project South, echoed these sentiments, stating that this development aligns with the administration’s pattern of dehumanizing and brutalizing migrants.
The facility, operated by LaSalle Corrections, has historically housed a mix of local detainees and individuals under ICE custody. Following the cessation of detentions at Irwin, ICE began transferring women to the Stewart Detention Center, another facility with a problematic reputation, where allegations of sexual assault by staff have also emerged.
The DHS Office of Inspector General conducted an investigation in 2022, revealing that medical care at Irwin was inadequate, although findings regarding the gynecological allegations were not publicly disclosed. The lack of transparency surrounding these issues raises further concerns about the oversight and accountability of facilities housing immigrant populations.
As the Trump administration pushes for increased arrests to support its immigration agenda, the implications of using Irwin again are profound. Advocates fear that the administration’s focus on rapid detentions will come at the expense of due process and the humane treatment of individuals in custody. Sarah Owings, an immigration attorney who represented detainees at Irwin, cautioned that the scars from past abuses remain fresh, and the absence of oversight mechanisms makes it difficult to ensure the safety and rights of those affected.
In summary, the decision to reinstate detentions at Irwin County Detention Center not only raises ethical questions but also highlights the ongoing struggles faced by immigrants within the U.S. detention system. The historical context of medical misconduct and inadequate care at this facility serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform and accountability in immigration practices.
