Detainees at Mississippi ICE Facility Report Illness From Gas Leak and Lack of Medical Attention

Detainees at a crowded federal immigration detention cen…

Detainees at a crowded federal immigration detention center in Mississippi have reported falling ill due to an unexplained gas leak, and say they were refused medical treatment when they sought help for symptoms such as headaches, according to accounts provided to the Guardian.

The facility, the Adams County Detention Center, operated by the private prison company CoreCivic under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), also experienced a prolonged power outage this week. This left the detention center without air conditioning for two consecutive days during a period of extreme heat, according to one detainee who communicated with the Guardian through his family.

Allegations from inside the facility paint a picture of unsafe conditions and neglect. Detainees complained of feeling sick after the gas leak, but their requests for medical attention were reportedly ignored, raising concerns about the standard of care at the privately run facility.

The power outage, which lasted approximately 48 hours

The power outage, which lasted approximately 48 hours, compounded the distress, with high temperatures making the environment unbearable. The lack of climate control in such conditions poses significant health risks, particularly in a densely populated setting.

CoreCivic and ICE have not yet responded to requests for comment on the alleged incidents. The reports add to a growing body of criticism over the conditions at immigration detention centers across the United States, where advocates have long called for reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees.

The Guardian has reached out to CoreCivic and ICE for verification and further details, but as of now, the accounts from detainees remain the primary source of information regarding the gas leak and the denial of medical care.