A notoriously abusive detention center nicknamed 'Ritmo' may be re-opening under Trump
Madeleine Sheehan Perkins, provided by
Published 7:22 pm, Thursday, March 2, 2017
ICE is considering reactivating the vacant Willacy County Correctional Facility in Raymondville, Texas, according to Texas Monthly. Built in 2006, the detention center was the largest in the country at the time.
lessICE is considering reactivating the vacant Willacy County Correctional Facility in Raymondville, Texas, according to Texas Monthly. Built in 2006, the detention center was the largest in the country at the
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"People trash this place and I get that but I don't think it's all of what they're saying. Sure the food leaves a little to be desired and the service stinks but it beats sleeping on Allen's landing over a humid Houston night."
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"People trash this place and I get that but I don't think it's all of what they're saying. Sure the food leaves a little to be desired and the service stinks but it beats sleeping ... more
"Every time I call the officer just picks up the phone and hangs up. All I can do is pray they don't treat the inmates the way they treat the people that call for information."
"Every time I call the officer just picks up the phone and hangs up. All I can do is pray they don't treat the inmates the way they treat the people that call for information."
"Unfortunately I have had to settle with staying here more than once due to the price, it is definitely not my first choice. Weird thing about it is that they require all of their guests to wear orange jump suits, I guess it is for sanitation reasons."
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"Unfortunately I have had to settle with staying here more than once due to the price, it is definitely not my first choice. Weird thing about it is that they require all of ... more
"The good thing about this hotel is that they will pick you up and take you directly to it, once you get there though, you are ready to leave."
"The good thing about this hotel is that they will pick you up and take you directly to it, once you get there though, you are ready to leave."
"First, the staff is incredibly rude, as if they've never read Lord Zulls Intergalactic Guide to Space Diplomacy and Etiquette. This was the first Spotel (space hotel) that was not politic neutral and the moment I declared my allegiance to the Republic my room was downgraded. CLEARLY Pro-Empire. They seem to section rooms off based on race and gender, as I was only allowed to shack up with bi-pedals of my own gender. Not a very fun way to start they stay."
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"First, the staff is incredibly rude, as if they've never read Lord Zulls Intergalactic Guide to Space Diplomacy and Etiquette. This was the first Spotel (space hotel) that was not ... more
"So, one morning, I wake up next to a girl in the big house. It took a minute to realize where I was, and I started asking the girl questions. My Cellie told me I was in jail, and then she started crying. I asked why, and she said she had to poop. That's cool, whatever, do it. So she sits on the silver toilet, pooping and crying, and apologizing to me. Dude, just stop crying and pooping, because I might make a shiv out of a toothbrush."
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"So, one morning, I wake up next to a girl in the big house. It took a minute to realize where I was, and I started asking the girl questions. My Cellie told me I was in jail, and ... more
"I did my Bill Gates mugshot as I was getting booked (minus one point for not giving me access to said mugshot after the fact, other jails let you have your mugshot, jerks) and then they told me they would cut out my piercings if I didn't remove them, after all, it was 'for my own good' because the other people in there might rip them out, according to them. Highly faulty logic IMO since they let people keep their eyeglasses which are way more dangerous in terms of shank-crafting."
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"I did my Bill Gates mugshot as I was getting booked (minus one point for not giving me access to said mugshot after the fact, other jails let you have your mugshot, jerks) and then ... more
"Apparently they decided I was no longer a threat to others, so they chose to decide I was a threat to myself. They checked me in, and demanded I remove all my jewelry. I didn't want to remove some of it (I'll leave that up to your imagination, it's not visible when I'm clothed). I said no. They threatened me with bolt cutters. No, I'm not kidding. 5'3" and 115 lbs. and these massive female cops are wanting to cut jewelry out of me. It's a bummer I was too passive to sue. Yes, passive, as in you don't have to threaten me with violence."
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"Apparently they decided I was no longer a threat to others, so they chose to decide I was a threat to myself. They checked me in, and demanded I remove all my jewelry. I didn't want ... more
"I know Motel 6 has a commercial that says 'we'll leave the light on for you.' Maybe so, but they certainly don't grab Mickey D's in the morning for ya. In Addison Jail they do. Thank you taxpayers for a wonderful evening."
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"I know Motel 6 has a commercial that says 'we'll leave the light on for you.' Maybe so, but they certainly don't grab Mickey D's in the morning for ya. In Addison ... more
"Years ago I was incarcerated overnight but had the presence of mind to consume all the evidence before I was handcuffed. I spent the most amazing evening looking at colors and hearing sounds. The different textures of the cell were worth the trip alone."
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"Years ago I was incarcerated overnight but had the presence of mind to consume all the evidence before I was handcuffed. I spent the most amazing evening looking at colors and ... more
"Beats the hell out of Wilco. I got to spend a lovely few days in my own resort like cell. They gave me some spiffy threads to use during my stay. Made a few friends, learned a few illegal things while incarcerated. Staff was friendly and made me feel welcomed." less
"Beats the hell out of Wilco. I got to spend a lovely few days in my own resort like cell. They gave me some spiffy threads to use during my stay. Made a few friends, learned a ... more
"Friend got arrested and some friends and I thought we'd visit. Colors are dull and boring but man, when it's 100+ degrees outside and you're nearby, step inside to take a break from the heat. The AC is probably set at 60 degrees inside so it's nice and crisp."
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"Friend got arrested and some friends and I thought we'd visit. Colors are dull and boring but man, when it's 100+ degrees outside and you're nearby, step inside to take a break ... more
"As with any establishment, you can really only do so much with the decor, ambiance and the food. What really makes a place is the people. Here they got lots of dedicated workers. Some are actually pretty friendly, some not so much. I dunno what they pay those folks, but I'm pretty sure it isn't $500,000 a year with every other day and every other week off, plus six months a year vacation. That is what I'd need to do that job."
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"As with any establishment, you can really only do so much with the decor, ambiance and the food. What really makes a place is the people. Here they got lots of dedicated workers. ... more
"It was about 40 degrees at the jail, where I was finally breathalized and placed in holding. I shivered through the first six hours or so, was briefly informed of my charges (expired license, driving on the wrong side of the road, and nothing about alcohol because i WAS NOT INTOXICATED, as i had explained) and 2 hours or so later, photographed and fingerprinted. about 2 hours further, moderately delirious with cold and sleep deprivation, I approached the desk to inquire my status and was ordered to sit until i was called." less
"It was about 40 degrees at the jail, where I was finally breathalized and placed in holding. I shivered through the first six hours or so, was briefly informed of my charges ... more
"I have only been to visit an ex-lover not to stay overnight or anything. Although the waiting is bad enough, there are usually a bunch of really interesting stereotypes that go to visit their friends and family in jail. I never plan to go back for any visits or overnighters."
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"I have only been to visit an ex-lover not to stay overnight or anything. Although the waiting is bad enough, there are usually a bunch of really interesting stereotypes that go ... more
"I really wanted to love this place. I heard that the kitchen used local farms and put great thought into their seasonally changing menu and the service was not exactly friendly but 'efficient.' Boy was I wrong."
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"I really wanted to love this place. I heard that the kitchen used local farms and put great thought into their seasonally changing menu and the service was not exactly ... more
"You aren't supposed to like it you idiots! I spent a couple of days in there for traffic tickets I hadn't paid. I was in Garland jail, and then transferred to Lew. I had idiot thugs, and other assorted people who thought they were bad***** try to start stuff with me, but I had no problem with the officers." less
"You aren't supposed to like it you idiots! I spent a couple of days in there for traffic tickets I hadn't paid. I was in Garland jail, and then transferred to Lew. I had ... more
"Guards ignored me when I took ill and almost died. Requests for medical attention were ignored. My cell mate in the end was a schizophrenic with epilepsy. Only one seizure of several got the guards attention. I saw others almost die. A guard told me point blank, 'You're a prisoner. You don't have rights.' I disagree." less
"Guards ignored me when I took ill and almost died. Requests for medical attention were ignored. My cell mate in the end was a schizophrenic with epilepsy. Only one ... more
"One word of advice...as soon as you get in, grab the nearest toilet paper roll (they are like gold in here) eat a couple of bologna sandwhiches, drink some fake cool aid, and live for the moment because you never know what the hell is about to happen around or too you."
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"One word of advice...as soon as you get in, grab the nearest toilet paper roll (they are like gold in here) eat a couple of bologna sandwhiches, drink some fake cool ... more
"Something I found weird was the doors to the bathroom didn't lock. Oh well! Overall it was a great experience, and if the service stays top notch I'm sure I'll become a regular here."
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"Something I found weird was the doors to the bathroom didn't lock. Oh well! Overall it was a great experience, and if the service stays top notch I'm sure I'll become a regular ... more
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One of America's most notorious detention centers may be opening its doors again under President Donald Trump.
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement is considering reactivating the vacant Willacy County Correctional Facility in Raymondville, Texas, according to Texas Monthly, prompting concerns about the center's history of abuse, neglect, and other illegal activity.
The news comes as ICE rapidly moves to expand its detention capacity along the Mexican border, under instruction from Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly.
Built in 2006 with a maximum capacity of 3,000, the detention center was the largest in the country at the time —but it faced problems immediately.
Attorneys and immigration advocates revealed that undocumented immigrants were held up to 23 hours a day in the center's 10 windowless tents, and reported insufficient food, medical attention, clothing, and access to telephones, all within a year of the facility opening.
The problems continued in 2007, when in July officials discovered maggots in the inmates' food supplies. Though officials called the incident a one-time occurrence, inmates complained the next month of mold, flooded toilets, and infestations of insects and rodents.
Inmates also claimed they were being given dirty underwear and towels for use, as well as shoes and socks with holes. The American Bar Association reported some detainees "indicated that they had been instructed not to say anything negative to the delegation about the facility."
Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty ImagesThe facility earned the disparaging moniker "Ritmo" during this time, because it was "like Gitmo, but it's in Raymondville," said immigration lawyer Jodi Goodwin, using the nickname for the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
"The level of human suffering was just unbelievable," a former nurse at the center said in a 2009 testimony before Congress. "There was inadequate food and personal items — personal hygiene was a problem — as was access to medical care."
Subsequent reports exposed even more illegal activity at the detention center. A 2011 documentary found sexual and physical abuse had been a common occurrence at the facility, with female inmates particularly at risk. Former employees said management encouraged its staff to cover up allegations of sexual or physical abuse.
In another stunning allegation, a former nurse said in 2009 that medical staff gave inmates antacids to fight hunger pains.
The facility was shuttered in 2015 after inmates revolted and set fire to three of its tents, leaving the center uninhabitable — a "welcome but long overdue move," the ACLU said at the time.
However, critics are now worried about its potential re-opening.
"To reopen this troubled private prison would be a giant step backwards," said Bob Libal, executive director of Grassroots Leadership, an Austin-based social justice group that opposes private prisons, in a statement.
An ICE spokeswoman did not confirm to Texas Monthly whether the organization was considering re-opening the facility.
"ICE remains committed to providing a safe environment for all those in its custody," the spokeswoman said.
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