Workers at an immigration detention center in Eloy violated health and safety standards during the coronavirus pandemic, an inspector general report found.
The report highlighted a lack of masks and other hygiene products needed during the pandemic and a “critically understaffed†medical unit at La Palma Correctional Center.
Detainees reported the center used excessive force when dealing with a peaceful protest of conditions, the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security also said.
A bobcat kitten found a snake in the backyard of a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ home and couldn't resist a tussle. The bobcat was born several months prior near the home. Video by Eric Schaffer.
During a protest in April 2020, facility cameras showed dozens of detainees sitting on the floor. A still image from the cameras showed staffers dressed in what appeared to be riot gear spraying chemical agents on a small group of detainees, several of whom were face-down on the ground covering their heads with their arms.
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In 27 reported use-of-force incidents from Feb. 1 to Aug. 24, 2020, the staff used chemical agents in 11 incidents, according to the inspector general’s March 30 report.
ICE officials said the use of force was appropriate and “staff responsible for alleged detainee mistreatment have already received remedial training, when warranted.â€
The inspector general responded by saying “overuse of chemical agents may be unnecessary when other methods could be used to gain detainee compliance.â€
In response to the findings and recommendations of the inspector general, ICE officials wrote in an appendix that the report in some cases relied on “uncorroborated allegations by detainees,†such as with regard to two use-of-force incidents.
The inspector general’s findings came during an unannounced virtual inspection of La Palma between August and November, the report said. At the time, the average daily population at the facility was 978 detainees, all men.
The center is run by CoreCivic, a private contractor, and has a maximum capacity of 3,240.
Last year, immigrants held at detention centers in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and across the country protested the fact that they were housed alongside hundreds of other people and not given supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer, to protect themselves.
In response to the pandemic, ICE released some immigrants, and Customs and Border Protection started expelling hundreds of thousands of immigrants to Mexico to avoid transporting them and housing them at detention centers.
The pandemic resulted in 767 positive COVID-19 cases among immigrants detained at La Palma, more than at any other of the dozens of immigrant detention facilities across the country, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement statistics.
No deaths among detainees were reported at detention centers in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, but nine died across the country from COVID-19.
ICE is “committed to ensuring that all those in our custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments and under appropriate conditions of confinement,†said a statement from the agency.
“Many practices initiated at La Palma, such as the 14-day quarantine period, resulted in reduced detainee-to-detainee exposure among the general population and this aspect was acknowledged in the OIG (Office of Inspector General) draft report,†according to the statement. “ICE takes issue with the accuracy of other findings in the draft report which relied on uncorroborated allegations and lack of appropriate context regarding medical staffing.â€
Although the staff at La Palma took measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, such as instituting a 14-day quarantine period for new arrivals, serving meals in housing areas, and restricting visitations, they failed to provide sufficient masks or enforce social distancing requirements, which could prompt another outbreak, according to the inspector general.
ICE officials said the staff started issuing appropriate face coverings and hand sanitizer in April 2020, and workers were trained on the necessity of maintaining social distance. The inspector general said ICE did not provide documentation about wearing masks and social distancing.
The medical center at La Palma was “critically understaffed†during the inspection, with 21 vacant positions out of a total of 72 positions, according to the report.
Four of the five mental health coordinator positions were vacant, including three positions that had been vacant for 459 days. Both psychologist positions were vacant, along with the pharmacy nurse position. The general nursing department had 11 vacancies.
ICE officials said the facility held fewer detainees during the pandemic and therefore did not need as many medical staffers. La Palma management tried to manage vacancies by using nurses and overtime in the medical department, ICE officials said.
The understaffing may have contributed to deficiencies in responding to sick calls and refilling medication prescriptions, according to the inspector general.
“Most of the detainees we spoke to complained about medical care,†said the report.
A random sampling of 100 sick-call requests, out of a total of 4,570 requested from Feb. 1 to Aug. 24, showed detainees waited on average more than three days for responses from medical the staff.
One detainee ran out of leukemia medication after the medical staff did not refill his prescription on time.
“Since the detainee did not hold the medication, he was not aware of when the medication was running out or how long it would take medical staff to obtain a refill,†according to the inspector general. The detainee’s medical file “shows that a health care provider incorrectly told the detainee it was the detainee’s failure to fill out a refill request that resulted in the interruption of his medication.â€
ICE officials agreed with the inspector general’s recommendations on the timeliness of refilling prescriptions. ICE assigned an official to La Palma in November to provide a “daily review†and “on the spot†resolution to issues and concerns.
Photos: No. 3 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats beat No. 1 UConn Huskies in NCAA Tournament Final Four
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

Cate Reese and Aari McDonald celebrate as the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats defeated UConn to advance to the NCAA Women's National Championship game.
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

Aari McDonald, left, hugs another teammate as the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats defeated UConn to advance to the NCAA Women's National Championship game.
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

Cydney Walters, center, leaps out of her seat as she and Ariel Shirley, left,, and Lauryn Thomas celebrate the final whistle of the Wildcat's over UConn in the Final Four at Union Public House at St. Philip's Plaza, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., April 2, 2021.
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Helena Pueyo (13) grabs the rebound over UConn Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 69-59 and is headed to the National Championship.
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

UConn Huskies guard Christyn Williams (13)Â has some words with a referee as her teammate UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) lays on the ground in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 69-59.
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Trinity Baptiste (0) and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) guard UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 69-59.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) is shut down by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defenders Cate Reese and Aari McDonald in the first half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Helena Pueyo (13) tries to block the shot of UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) in the first half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) is defended by UConn Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) in the first half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) makes a drive as UConn Huskies guard Christyn Williams (13) tries to defend in the first half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021.
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) eyes the basket over UConn Huskies guard Nika Muhl (10) and UConn Huskies guard Christyn Williams (13) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 69-59 and is headed to the National Championship game.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) embraces ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) after she hit a three-pointer in the first half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) looks to mak ethe pass to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) in the first half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021.
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

An ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fan dances to music in the arena during a timeout in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ beat UConn 69-59.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. UConn, NCAA Tournament

After grabbing the rebound, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) looks to make a basket as she's surrounded by UConn defenders in the first half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021.
NCAA Tournament Final Four: No. 3 seed ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs. No. 1 seed UConn

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fans sit amongst the cardboard cutouts as they cheer on the Wildcats against the UConn Huskies in the first half during the NCAA Tournament Final Four game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 2, 2021. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ won 69-59 and is headed to the National Championship.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Aari McDonald (2) saves the ball from going out of bounds during the second half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Connecticut Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers (5) passes over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Aari McDonald (2) during the first half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Aari McDonald (2) drives around Connecticut guard Evina Westbrook (22) during the first half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

Connecticut forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa, rear, blocks a shot by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Cate Reese during the first half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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Adia Barnes coached against Geno Auriemma and Tara VanDerveer in the Final Four, and will line up against Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer in this year’s Paradise Jam.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Shaina Pellington (1) drives up court ahead of Connecticut guard Evina Westbrook (22) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the first half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Shaina Pellington (1) celebrates after getting fouled by Connecticut guard Christyn Williams, left, during the first half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Helena Pueyo (13) grabs a rebound over Connecticut forward Aubrey Griffin (44) during the first half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

Connecticut forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (20) is fouled by ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Lauren Ware, rear, during the second half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Helena Pueyo (13) shoots over Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the second half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UConn, NCAA Tournament

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Trinity Baptiste (0) grabs a rebound between Connecticut guard Christyn Williams (13) and forward Aaliyah Edwards, right, during the second half of a women's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, April 2, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Contact reporter Curt Prendergast at 573-4224 or cprendergast@tucson.com or on Twitter @CurtÃÛèÖÖ±²¥Star