amid allegations of abuse, neglect, and inhumane conditions. Along with other advocacy organizations, the ACLU has filed multiple complaints with federal authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Baker County, Florida’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, housed within the Baker County Detention Center, has been under intense criticism due to reports of racial and sexual abuse and inhumane conditions. Congressman Maxwell Frost has called for the closure of the ICE facility, citing numerous allegations of medical neglect, harassment, and unsanitary conditions. Among these are claims of mold, leaking roofs, and inadequate access to basic necessities like food, water, and hygiene products. Detainees have reported being forced to use socks as makeshift toilet paper due to the lack of supplies.
Former guards paint bleak picture of conditions inside notorious immigrant detention center in Baker County
Additionally, a whistleblower, a former nurse at the facility, has revealed that medical records were falsified and that detainees were subjected to unsanitary conditions and mistreatment. The ACLU has also filed complaints on behalf of detainees, describing inadequate medical care, harassment by staff, and improper use of solitary confinement.
Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden
Sheriff Scotty Rhoden’s office, which manages the detention center, has faced calls to end its contract with ICE, with critics demanding the closure of the facility due to the ongoing reports of abuse and neglect.
Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden in Florida has served in this role since his election in 2016, was re-elected and continues to lead the department with increasing scrutiny of his handling of specifically the Baker County Detention Facility as well as the Baker County ICE facility.
Sheriff Scotty Rhoden of Baker County, Florida, has faced several controversies and legal challenges. Notably, his department has been involved in ongoing legal disputes regarding the treatment of detainees at the Baker County Detention Center, particularly those held under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agreements. In 2022, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit alleging that detainees’ rights were violated, citing poor conditions, lack of access to legal counsel, and inadequate medical care. The ACLU has also raised concerns about retaliation against detainees and legal representatives. Additionally, the detention center has been criticized for its management, with former guards describing harsh conditions including unsanitary practices and punitive measures such as cutting off water during hunger strikes. These reports align with the allegations in the ACLU’s lawsuit.
Furthermore, Sheriff Rhoden’s office is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), although the specific nature of the investigation remains undisclosed.
These events reflect ongoing scrutiny of Sheriff Rhoden’s administration, with both legal and human rights concerns surrounding his handling of the county’s detention facilities.
Baker County ICE Detention Facility
Gov. DeSantis issues executive orders to investigate Alachua, Baker County Sheriff’s offices
