Government Watchdog Finds Issues in Detention Facility Operations

A government watchdog has identified several significant problems at the Fort Bliss Army base detention facility in Texas, operated by the Trump administration. The issues include unsanitary conditions, wasteful spending, inadequate tuberculosis control, and the loss of a firearm.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported incidents at Camp East Montana from August 2025 to March 2026. These incidents involve two detainee deaths, both occurring in January. One death was classified as a homicide following an autopsy and is currently under investigation. The other was a suicide, with the report highlighting the detainee being left unattended for intervals exceeding 15 minutes.

In January, a security guard lost a loaded firearm within the facility. By March, the weapon had not been recovered. Additionally, detainees with chronic conditions such as HIV or diabetes lacked proper care due to insufficient treatment plans.

Camp East Montana serves as the largest detention facility for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, with a capacity of 5,000 detainees. According to the GAO, issues stemmed from a hurried construction and contracting process. The report linked rapid contract awarding to operational failures.

“While the Army and ICE’s planning and acquisition approach for Camp East Montana enabled them to award the contract quickly, it contributed to negative outcomes during facility operations,” the GAO stated.

These operational missteps led to wasted resources and health threats to both detainees and staff. The Defense Department previously announced the construction of Camp East Montana as the largest federal detention center. A contract worth up to $1.2 billion was awarded to a contractor with no prior experience in detention services.

The GAO report detailed financial waste due to rigid contract terms. From August 1 to August 15, 2025, $11.5 million was spent on meals and services despite the absence of detainees. Additional unnecessary spending continued after operations commenced.

After ICE assumed contract control, further unneeded meal expenses totaled $7.1 million from October 2025 to March 2026. Contract issues arose from the absence of a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, complicating oversight and problem resolution.

Homeland Security announced improvements at Camp East Montana, contracting a new provider capable of meeting higher detention standards with enhanced medical care and oversight. ICE’s statement emphasized ongoing commitment to high standards rather than closure.

GAO findings also revealed neglected cleaning, prompting guards to swap cookies for dormitory cleaning by detainees. Recommendations include flexible contracting, standards adherence in new facilities, and using past lessons to inform future acquisitions.

The Defense Department acknowledged the recommendations but disagreed with parts of the GAO report, citing reliance on ICE data. The GAO concluded both the Department of Homeland Security and the Army contributed to operational challenges at the facility.