Federal investigators claim mistreatment at Louisiana's ICE facility.

Federal investigators have revealed disturbing allegations of misconduct involving officers at an ICE facility in Louisiana, including physical restraint and assault.

Federal investigators have uncovered disturbing incidents at Louisiana's ICE facility, where an officer attempted to subdue an inmate by applying a chokehold during a scuffle. In another incident, an officer used a pen to stab a detainee in the thumb after he refused to move from a doorway, causing puncture wounds to his skin.

A previously unpublished report by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General revealed multiple instances of alleged mistreatment at Louisiana's Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, La., last year.

A 30-page report, scrutinized by The, offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of an ICE detention center amidst growing concerns over agency treatment of detainees. Federal standards governing physical force were found to be consistently disregarded by staff members, while other guidelines were also flouted. The facility subsequently declined to release complete video footage of violent incidents that had occurred on its premises.

A comprehensive review of ICE facilities, including approximately 200 detention centers nationwide, is underway by the inspector general's office.

President Trump's immigration crackdown has led to a significant surge in detainees at ICE facilities. These detention centers function as de facto prisons, housing individuals awaiting hearings or those already ordered removed from the US. They play a pivotal role in Mr. Trump's plan to deport millions of immigrants nationwide. The majority are operated by private entities.

Clashes between protesters and law enforcement have erupted outside a Newark facility over the past week, fueled by allegations of subpar conditions within its walls. Inmates at this facility reportedly launched a hunger strike in protest of spoiled food and inadequate medical attention. Detainees nationwide shared similar grievances with The Times last year, describing harsh treatment that included being denied basic hygiene facilities and forced to sleep on cold, hard floors. This neglect also extended to essential medications for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Congressional representatives have been barred from visiting the facilities by the Trump administration's decision.

Meanwhile, ICE's efforts to repurpose commercial warehouses for immigration detention have hit a roadblock due to local resistance from residents and officials near these facilities.

A surprise inspection of the Winnfield, La., facility in March 2025 revealed disturbing conditions. Conducted by federal investigators, this visit exposed unsatisfactory food storage practices and significant ceiling leaks. Furthermore, medical records were not being accurately maintained. Moreover detainees lacked sufficient access to legal resources, including details about complimentary legal assistance.

According to the report, ICE has implemented remedial training for its officers, focusing on lawful use of force, with further enhancements forthcoming.

A DHS representative, Lauren Bis, characterized the findings as revealing "minor infractions" overall.

Federal investigators are scrutinizing conditions at Louisiana's ICE facility, prompting efforts to rectify problems through enhanced training for personnel. The agency maintains its detention protocols surpass those of many American prisons housing domestic residents.

The allegations of excessive force were not explicitly acknowledged by her.

LaSalle Corrections, the private contractor overseeing Louisiana's ICE facility, remained silent on the allegations. Despite repeated attempts to solicit their response, no comment was forthcoming from either the company or its legal representatives. A federal jury had previously ruled against LaSalle, holding them accountable for a 2015 inmate fatality at a Louisiana jail, resulting in a $42.75 million damages award to the family last year.

Federal investigators have repeatedly criticized Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana. The Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties issued a damning report in 2021, highlighting "inappropriate use of force" and firearm safety concerns among other serious issues at the facility. As a result, they suggested halting further detainee transfers to the site.

The Louisiana ICE facility had reached maximum occupancy during the previous year's inspection, with a total of 1,576 inmates present.

Federal investigators scrutinized five disturbing incidents where Winn facility personnel resorted to excessive force against detainees. Their review revealed that officers had breached ICE's use-of-force guidelines on multiple occasions, employing prohibited methods like the chokehold and even using a pen as a makeshift weapon in at least three of these episodes.

Federal investigators note that Louisiana's ICE facility adheres to strict guidelines for physical force, which begins with verbal commands and escalates only when necessary to prevent imminent harm or fatality, as outlined in the agency's official protocol.

During a visit, federal investigators reviewed footage of the incidents, only to be met with resistance when seeking further evidence from the detention center's staff.

The investigation relies heavily on video evidence to assess the facility's adherence to force guidelines accurately.

Reporters Michael Levenson and Emily Powell provided investigative assistance.