Federal immigration authorities announced Friday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would limit the number of detainees held at Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield (WCC).
According to the press release, ICE will reduce the guaranteed minimum at Winn Correctional Center to better match the appropriate use of the facility, more closely aligning the guaranteed minimum to Winn’s historical and recent staffing constraints. ICE will also assign a Custody Resource Coordinator (CRC) to work with the population. In addition, ICE will provide DHS with an assessment from the CRC on key findings. Finally, ICE will continue to closely monitor conditions, including ongoing construction and remediation work at the facility, and take additional action as necessary. The press release did not specify the new guaranteed minimum for WCC.
WCC has long been targeted by immigration attorneys and pro-migrant advocacy groups for conditions inside the facility. According to The Advocate, in November, at least two dozen asylum seekers spoke out, decrying isolation, filth, lack of medical care at the detention facility. After months of mounting pressure, ICE announced a new phased renovation project inside the Winn Correctional Center in January, aiming to improve the housing conditions for asylum seekers.
The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office is contracted by LaSalle Corrections, a private prison provider based in Louisiana, to staff and operate the facility.
Read the ICE press release HERE.
