Miami, Florida — Detainees at a Florida immigration detention center known as the “Deportation Depot” were pepper-sprayed on two separate occasions since the facility opened last September, state officials confirmed Thursday. The incidents occurred at the former Baker Correctional Institution in northeast Florida, with the most recent confrontation taking place on Christmas Eve.
According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the latest incident began when several detainees refused orders to return to their bunks and moved toward staff. Officials said one detainee became violent and struck an officer, prompting guards to deploy chemical agents to restore order. No injuries were reported, and all individuals involved were medically evaluated as a precaution.
The December incident followed an earlier confrontation on Oct. 29, when officials said detainees attempted to barricade themselves inside a housing unit, caused property damage, and encouraged unrest. Pepper spray was again used to regain control of the unit, with authorities reporting no serious injuries.
The Baker facility is Florida’s second state-run immigration detention center, following the opening of a site in the Everglades that detainees’ attorneys have described in court filings as having poor living conditions. Florida officials have said the state is awaiting federal approval to open additional detention centers in the Panhandle and South Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has said Florida made approximately 20,000 immigration-related arrests over the past year through a joint state and federal initiative, arguing that expanded detention capacity is necessary to support federal enforcement efforts. Multiple federal lawsuits continue to challenge detention practices at Florida facilities, including claims related to detainee treatment, legal access, and environmental compliance.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
