FLORENCE, AZ - JULY 30: Detainees eat lunch at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility for illegal immigrants on July 30, 2010 in Florence, Arizona. Most immigrants at the center are awaiting deportation or removal and return to their home countries, while some are interned at the facility while their immigration cases are being reviewed. ICE in Arizona holds almost 3,000 immigrants statewide, all at the detention facilities in Florence and nearby Eloy. Arizona, which deports and returns more illegal immigrants than any other state, is currently appealing a judge's ruling suspending controversial provisions of Arizona's immigration enforcement law SB 1070. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
San Diego, California – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has released a damning new report highlighting what he called “alarming” conditions at six privately-operated immigration detention facilities in the state. The findings point to persistent deficiencies in mental health care, overuse of force, and questionable disciplinary practices that disproportionately affect vulnerable detainees.
The bi-annual survey, conducted by the California Department of Justice, included inspections and interviews at sites used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During a news conference held in San Diego, Bonta emphasized the state’s duty to ensure humane treatment for all individuals, including those in immigration custody.
“California has a responsibility to understand the conditions in which all our residents live,” Bonta said. “Issues previously identified have persisted, while new findings make clear that these facilities need significant improvements.”
Among the most concerning revelations: individuals with mental health issues were subjected to prolonged isolation—sometimes for several months or even over a year. In one case, a detainee on suicide watch spent nine months in segregation after engaging in self-harm. At some facilities, detainees were disciplined for filing complaints, and diagnostic and infectious disease care was reportedly delayed or inadequate.
The Otay Mesa Detention Center, operated by CoreCivic, was singled out for particularly severe shortcomings. According to the report, the facility lacked an on-site psychologist or psychiatrist, failed to implement suicide prevention protocols, and placed detainees in isolation cells without basic plumbing.
Detainees have begun to speak out about their experiences. Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney, detained at Otay Mesa earlier this year, described the food as “not food” and said she couldn’t eat for days. German national Jessica Brösche said she was held in solitary confinement for eight days.
“These private immigration detention facilities need significant improvements,” Bonta reiterated. “What we found was alarming.”
The report also confirmed two substantiated cases of sexual abuse at Otay Mesa and criticized facility staff for excessive use of force, including against detainees deemed “frantic” due to mental health struggles.
CoreCivic did not respond to new requests for comment, but previously said it adheres to rigorous standards and provides safe and humane care. ICE has yet to comment on the latest findings.
Bonta warned that oversight may further erode under the Trump administration, which he accused of trying to eliminate safeguards at immigration facilities.
“Unfortunately, these conditions reflect the reputation private immigration companies have earned through their own conduct,” he said.
