Home / Crime and Justice / Second Detainee Dies at Louisiana ICE Facility; Poor Conditions Cited
Second Detainee Dies at Louisiana ICE Facility; Poor Conditions Cited
9 Jun
Summary
- A second detainee died at Winn ICE facility in Louisiana within two months.
- Recent inspection found unsanitary conditions and medical care problems.
- The facility has been cited for violations in safety, food, and use-of-force.
A second detainee has died at the Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana, less than two months after another death occurred at the same U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Mamuka Artmeladze, 43, from Georgia, was found unresponsive on Thursday and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.
This incident follows the death of Alejandro Cabrera Clemente on April 11, who died from cardiovascular disease. Both detainees were held at the Winn facility, which houses over 1,500 male detainees and is managed by LaSalle Corrections and the Winn Parish Sheriff's Office.
Mounting concerns over medical neglect and inhumane conditions at ICE facilities have been amplified by a recent Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report. The inspection at Winn identified violations in environmental health, safety, food service, medical care, and use-of-force policies.
The report detailed issues like leaking water, exposed insulation, improper food storage, and inadequate medical record-keeping. It also noted violations of use-of-force policies, including a banned chokehold and a pen used to stab a detainee's thumb. ICE has agreed to implement recommendations to improve conditions.
