The Washington Post has reported that detainees at a Florida detention center, colloquially known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” are describing the conditions as “severe,” pointing out the inadequate meals, such as “cold ham sandwiches.”
This facility, which was launched by the Trump administration in June, is designed to hold 5,000 people and cost around $450 million. Just weeks after its opening, detainees, their families, and former guards spoke out about what they called a troubling environment within the center.
An anonymous source revealed issues such as water pooling on the floor and the lack of basic hygiene products, including soap and toothbrushes. Furthermore, some detainees have resorted to making soccer balls from towels. A former guard mentioned that detainees were also crafting dominoes from cardboard boxes, likely as a way to pass time. “They lie down all day,” he observed.
In a phone interview, one detainee shared that he went without a shower for four days and noted that another area had no running water. Complaints about mosquito infestations were also common, with former staff and inmates raising concerns about the lack of bug spray and the potential health risks attached.
Over the weekend, a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers visited the facility. Their impressions varied significantly. At least five legislators were present, making them among the first officials to inspect the center.
After the tour, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke to the media, labeling the place a “detention camp.” She expressed concern over hygiene issues, mentioning toilets located in close proximity to drinking water. There were claims that detainees were given poor-quality food, like “gray turkey and cheese sandwiches,” while the lawmakers reportedly had more appetizing meals, including roasted chicken.
Florida’s Emergency Management Director, Kevin Guthrie, responded to these allegations during an interview. He suggested that some of the lawmakers may have exaggerated their claims. For instance, he corrected an incident where a thermometer was pointed at a light bulb instead of measuring the actual air temperature. Guthrie also disputed claims about the sandwiches by arguing that the quality wasn’t as poor as described.
Republican lawmakers who visited the center pushed back against the criticisms from their Democratic counterparts. Senator Blaze Ingoglia claimed the facility was “clean, air-conditioned and well-maintained,” and labeled the criticisms as “political theater” rather than a reflection of reality.
