An exposé by journalist Laura C. Morel for Mother Jones, released this Tuesday, sheds light on the conditions at Baker Correctional Institution. This former state prison in northern Florida has been repurposed into a detention facility for immigrants and dubbed the "Deportation Depot" by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The facility houses detainees from various nationalities, including Cubans, Venezuelans, Hondurans, Guatemalans, and Russians. Located in Sanderson, nearly 50 miles from Jacksonville, it accommodates around 1,000 individuals. Among the detainees are elderly adults, DACA recipients, and asylum seekers with pending cases.
Despite its operations, the center has not been inspected by ICE's Office of Detention Oversight, as highlighted by a report from the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General in September.
This federal report was clear: "Baker has not undergone an internal inspection by ICE's Office of Detention Oversight and is not slated for inspection in fiscal years 2026 or 2027."
The situation in Florida's immigration detention centers, including the plight of detained Cubans, is part of a broader issue we monitor closely in our U.S. Immigration section, where you can find the latest updates on this and related topics.
Eight individuals—current detainees, former detainees, and family members—provided Mother Jones with accounts of dormitories housing 50 bunk beds for 100 men, oppressive heat due to broken air conditioning and shattered windows, meager food portions, and delays in medical care.
"We practically live in our underwear. The heat is unbearable," a Venezuelan currently held in Baker told the magazine over the phone.
The legal access barriers mirror those previously documented at Alligator Alcatraz: delays in communicating with attorneys, missed court dates, and disappearing legal correspondence.
Amy Godshall, an attorney with the ACLU of Florida, confirmed that her organization is investigating and considering litigation against the state and the contractors operating the facility, including GEO Group.
"Much of what happens here is very similar to what was occurring at the Everglades facility," she noted. Her assessment was blunt: "The facility is designed to torment people and push them to self-deport."
When Mother Jones inquired with ICE about Baker, a spokesperson referred the questions to the state of Florida. Neither the Governor's Office nor the Division of Emergency Management responded.
While Alligator Alcatraz drew public attention until its closure in June—partly due to its proximity to Miami and southern Florida's immigrant communities—Baker operates in obscurity due to its remote location, making it challenging for families and organizations to mobilize.
Clara Sowers, a Cuban-American from Jacksonville and organizer with the Micah Solidarity Project, has been in contact with eight detainees at Baker and is aware of at least two men who suffered seizures. Each month, the group gathers on US Highway 90 near the facility, sometimes drawing up to 100 people from different Florida cities.
The fiscal year 2026 ended with a record 37 deaths in ICE custody, with several Cubans among the deceased.
Understanding Florida's Immigration Detention Challenges
Why is the Baker Correctional Institution referred to as the "Deportation Depot"?
Governor Ron DeSantis has dubbed it the "Deportation Depot" due to its function as a detention center for immigrants, including those facing deportation.
What nationalities are represented among the detainees at Baker?
The facility holds detainees from various countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala, and Russia.
Has Baker been inspected by ICE's Office of Detention Oversight?
No, according to the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General, Baker has not been inspected by ICE's Office of Detention Oversight.