Months into Indiana’s agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal government has paid just a fraction of the expenses the state has incurred holding detainees at Miami Correctional Facility, an expense report obtained by IndyStar shows.
The state has spent at least $12.5 million on the effort — a two-year agreement with ICE to provide up to 1,000 beds for detainees — but has received less than $5.1 million in return. Coined the “Speedway Slammer,” it’s one of several new initiatives from ICE to increase holding space for its mass deportation campaign.
The money was split into two payments, the Indiana Department of Correction told IndyStar in response to a separate request in April. The state received roughly $1.18 million in February for the month of October and $3.89 million in March for the month of November.
It’s unclear why federal payments appear to be delayed: under the agreement, ICE must pay nearly $300 per detainee per day, far more than the typical $75 daily cost for inmates, and roughly $50 per hour for on-call guards. It’s also not clear if the nearly $16 million the state paid for facility upgrades has been factored into the monthly expense reports.
Neither the Indiana Department of Corrections nor the U.S. Department of Homeland Security could be immediately reached for comment.
Two men have died in the facility, located a little more than an hour north of Indianapolis, since it began holding detainees last fall. Both deaths have been linked to heart disease, according to ICE. But the maximum-security prison has long been notorious for violence, high death tolls and staffing issues.
A monthly breakdown of detention expenses and revenues at the facility is now required as part of an amendment to Senate Enrolled Act 76, which tightened immigration enforcement by enhancing penalties for refusing to cooperate with ICE in schools and government units.
This story may be updated.
Kristine Phillips contributed reporting.
Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@indystar.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana has spent more than it’s received in ‘Speedway Slammer’ agreement with ICE
Reporting by Marissa Meador, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
