A newly released report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General found multiple violations at an immigration detention facility in Louisiana, including the use of a prohibited chokehold and an incident in which a detainee was injured with a pen.
Chokehold and Pen Injury Highlight Concerns
The findings stem from an unannounced inspection of the Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana, which houses immigration detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to investigators, staff used a chokehold to restrain a detainee despite policies that generally prohibit neck restraints. In another incident, an officer punctured a detainee’s thumb with a pen after the individual refused to remove his hand from a housing unit door. The report states that disciplinary action was taken against the officer.
Additional Safety and Facility Issues
Inspectors also identified several concerns related to facility conditions and compliance with federal detention standards. Among the issues cited were:
- Leaking ceilings and ventilation systems
- Falling insulation
- Record-keeping errors
- Limited access to exercise equipment
- Privacy concerns involving a shared legal research computer
The watchdog concluded that the facility failed to fully comply with standards governing use of force, medical care, environmental health and safety, and detainee access to legal resources.
ICE Responds to Findings
ICE officials described some of the violations as minor administrative issues, including equipment shortages and documentation errors. A DHS spokesperson told media outlets that ICE detention standards exceed those used in many U.S. prisons.
Growing Scrutiny of Immigration Detention
The report comes amid continued national debate over conditions in immigration detention centers. Advocacy groups and former detainees have raised concerns about medical care, facility oversight, and detainee treatment.
As of April 2026, more than 60,000 individuals were being held in ICE detention facilities nationwide, according to federal data. The inspector general issued nine recommendations aimed at improving oversight, safety standards, and compliance at the Louisiana facility.
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