Nestled in Montgomery County, Texas, the Joe Corley Detention Facility serves as a medium-security jail primarily housing federal inmates and detainees. Established in 2008, this 167,000-square-foot facility has played a crucial role in the immigration and criminal justice system. Operated by The GEO Group Inc., it has garnered both attention and scrutiny due to its role in detention operations and its management by a private corporation. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the facility's history, operations, management, controversies, and visitor guidelines, drawing insights from the provided source material.
## I. Introduction
In the world of detention facilities, the Joe Corley Detention Facility is a significant player. It provides a critical service, but its operations have not been without their share of scrutiny and debate. Understanding the history, management, and visitor guidelines of this facility is essential for those who have loved ones housed there, are considering visiting, or merely want to comprehend its role in the broader criminal justice system.
## II. Inception and Operation
The Joe Corley Detention Facility had its beginnings in 2004 when Montgomery County issued a request for proposals for the operation and management of the Montgomery County Jail. This marked the first step in the facility's journey to becoming a cornerstone of the criminal justice system in Montgomery County.
In 2008, the one-story, 167,000-square-foot facility officially opened its doors, having been constructed at a cost of $44.8 million. It was a significant addition to the detention infrastructure, providing space to house inmates and detainees.
## III. Detainee Housing
Since its inception in 2008, the Joe Corley Detention Facility has been integral to the operations of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) system. The facility falls under the oversight of ICE's Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). It is noteworthy that the facility adheres to the National Detention Standards (NDS) 2019 to ensure the humane treatment and conditions for detainees.
The decision to house detainees at the facility was a pivotal moment in its history. It significantly increased the facility's importance within the criminal justice and immigration system.
## IV. Facility Management
The day-to-day operations of the Joe Corley Detention Facility are overseen by a dedicated facility administrator. This administrator is responsible for managing the various support personnel and ensuring the smooth operation of the facility. GEO Group, Inc., a Florida-based company, is contracted to provide essential services within the facility. These services include food provision, medical care, and commissary services.
Accreditation and certification are crucial aspects of a facility's operation. In the case of the Joe Corley Detention Facility, it earned accreditation from the American Correctional Association in January 2019, a testament to its commitment to maintaining high standards of operation. Furthermore, the facility was certified for compliance with the Department of Homeland Security's Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in June 2018.
## V. Sale to GEO Group Inc.
In 2013, a significant development occurred when Montgomery County commissioners agreed to sell the Joe Corley Detention Facility to The GEO Group Inc. for $65 million in cash. This was a strategic financial move that not only infused the county with capital but also shifted the responsibility of managing the facility to a private corporation.
As part of the sale agreement, GEO Group Inc. took on the role of managing the paperwork between GEO, ICE, and the U.S. Marshal's Service, both of which rely on the facility for their operations. This transition from public to private management brought its own set of challenges and controversies.
## VI. Communication with Detainees
Effective communication is vital for both detainees and their families. If you need to inquire about a detainee housed at the Joe Corley Detention Facility, you can contact them at (936) 520-5000 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. It's essential to have the individual's biographical information ready, including their full name, aliases, date of birth, and country of birth.
For those who need to leave an urgent message for a detainee, there is a separate contact number. By calling (936) 521-4000 and providing the detainee's full name, alien registration number, your name, and contact information, you can ensure that the message reaches its intended recipient.
## VII. Visitation and Restrictions
Visitation plays a crucial role in maintaining the well-being of detainees. It allows them to connect with their loved ones and offers a respite from the challenges of detention. Visitation at the Joe Corley Detention Facility is subject to specific guidelines.
Visitation hours vary based on the gender of the detainee. Male detainees have visitation available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Female detainees have specific visitation hours on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The facility also outlines approved visitation hours for federal holidays, ensuring that detainees maintain a connection with their families and friends, even during these special occasions.
The guidelines for visitors are clear. Adult visitors must present a valid, verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the facility. This measure is in place to ensure the safety and security of both visitors and detainees. Minors who visit the facility must be accompanied by an adult guardian who is 18 years or older. To ensure the safety of minors, they must not be left unaccompanied in the waiting room, visiting room, or any other area within the facility.
## VIII. Mail and Packages
The exchange of mail between detainees and their loved ones is a crucial aspect of maintaining connections. The facility has specific procedures in place for sending and receiving mail.
Incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. It is inspected by the delivering officer for security purposes, although it is not read upon opening. In contrast, outgoing mail is promptly routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by the facility staff. This quick turnaround ensures that detainees can maintain their correspondence with loved ones.
Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for their use, and generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence they can send at their expense. However, for indigent detainees who lack financial support and funds in their facility account, postage allowance is provided at government expense. This ensures that even those without means can communicate with the outside world.
Detainees may also receive funds through the mail, which are then processed by facility staff. A receipt is provided for all funds received, ensuring transparency and accountability. However, detainees are cautioned against having cash sent to them in the mail due to security reasons.
The facility also has specific guidelines for items that detainees may receive. Items that are determined to be of necessity for travel or release from agency custody can be accepted with approval from the ICE Deportation Officer.
## IX. Feedback and Complaints
Ensuring the quality of service provided at the Joe Corley Detention Facility is a priority for both facility administrators and the overseeing agencies. They value feedback from detainees, their families, friends, and official representatives. This commitment to transparency and accountability is reflected in their approach to feedback and complaints.
For those who have experienced the services provided at the facility, whether positively or negatively, there are avenues to provide feedback. Writing to the Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in Houston, Texas, allows individuals to express their opinions and concerns.
In cases where individuals feel they have been mistreated by an ICE employee or contract services employee, making a complaint of misconduct is essential. This complaint can be directed to the Field Office Director, the Office of Professional Responsibility, or the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center, as mentioned in the article.
## X. Accessibility and Conclusion
Ensuring that the Joe Corley Detention Facility is accessible to all individuals is a critical component of its operation. The facility does not discriminate based on disability and provides accommodations for individuals with special needs. This inclusive approach aligns with the principles of equal access and equal treatment under the law.
In conclusion, the Joe Corley Detention Facility has been a significant part of the ICE detention system. From its inception in 2008 to its role in housing detainees, it has played a crucial role. The facility's management, guidelines for communication and visitation, and feedback procedures are essential components of its operations.
Understanding the Joe Corley Detention Facility and its various functions is crucial, especially if you have a loved one detained there or wish to visit. This article has aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the facility, including its history, operations, and visitor guidelines.
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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
**1. How can I contact a detainee at the Joe Corley Detention Facility?**
- To inquire about a detainee, you can call (936) 520-5000 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ensure you have the detainee's biographical information ready.
**2. Can I leave an urgent message for a detainee, and how?**
- Yes, you can leave an urgent message by calling (936) 521-4000. Provide the detainee's full name, alien registration number, your name, and contact information.
**3. What are the visitation hours for friends and family?**
- Visitation hours differ for male and female detainees. Please refer to the provided guidelines for specific times.
**4. How does the facility handle mail for detainees?**
- Incoming mail is screened for contraband, and outgoing mail is promptly routed to the proper postal office. Detainees can purchase stamps for their use.
**5. What should I do if I have a complaint about the Joe Corley Detention Facility?**
- If you believe you've experienced misconduct, you can contact the Field Office Director, the Office of Professional Responsibility, or the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center as mentioned in the article.
Phone: 936-760-5870
Physical Address:
Joe Corley Detention Facility
500 Hilbig Rd
Conroe, TX 77301
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Joe Corley Detention Facility
500 Hilbig Rd
Conroe, TX 77301
Other Jails and Prisons
When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE.
Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.
However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.
You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.
You can also try and look them up by using their name.
What is an ICE Detention Center?
Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.
Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.
What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?
ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.
Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:
The illegal immigrant has:
How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?
The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.
It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.
The information you will need is as follows:
If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.
If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.
If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.
Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.
Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.
The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.
If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.
Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.
How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?
The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.
This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.
Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?
The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.
If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.
What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?
(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)
These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.
Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?
If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.
The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).
Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.
Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.
Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.
This facility, known as "Joe Corley Detention Facility" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Joe Corley.
