Florida Fights Court Order on Detainee Phone Access Despite $34M Tech Spending
State officials claim phone access for 1,383 detainees would be too costly, despite already spending $34M on technology at the remote facility.
MIAMI, FLORIDA — Florida officials are challenging a federal court order to expand phone access for detainees at the state’s remote immigration facility, claiming the costs would be prohibitive despite already spending $34 million in public funds on technology and IT services at the center.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management argues that providing adequate phone access at the facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” would be too expensive for taxpayers, yet state records reveal the agency has allocated roughly $34.2 million for technology, IT support, communications, surveillance, and radio services since September.
The legal dispute centers on a March court order issued by U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell requiring DEM to provide at least one phone for every 25 detainees to ensure they can make confidential legal calls. Civil rights advocates had alleged officials were restricting access to attorneys at the facility.
Current Facility Population and Phone Requirements
As of April 2, the facility housed 1,383 detainees, according to immigration tracking data. Under the court’s mandate, this would require approximately 55 phones to meet the one-per-25-detainee ratio.
DEM has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that detainees can communicate with their attorneys through confidential Zoom calls or during in-person visits at the center. However, the agency argues that implementing the court-ordered phone access would create significant financial burdens.
Cost Estimates and Infrastructure Challenges
In court filings submitted Wednesday, DEM claimed that adding landlines or constructing cell towers would be “entirely unfeasible.” The agency estimates it would need $180,000 in upfront costs plus an additional $6,000 weekly to establish and maintain cell connectivity at the remote location.
These costs would cover 77 cellphones, 77 security configurations, manual labor, and installation expenses. DEM argues the facility lacks traditional telephone infrastructure, making conventional phone service implementation particularly challenging.
The agency has requested that Judge Chappell pause her order while the matter is under review, citing the financial and logistical obstacles they claim would arise from compliance.
Questions About Existing Technology Spending
State accountability records show that DEM’s $34.2 million in technology expenditures came from Florida’s emergency fund and were distributed to companies providing internet, communications, surveillance, IT support, and radio services. The payments began in September and continued through recent months.
DEM did not respond to questions about how this substantial existing technology investment relates to their claims about the prohibitive costs of adding phone services. The agency has not explained what specific services the $34 million funded or why additional funding would be necessary for phone access if the money did not cover internet or carrier services.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration detention operations and legal access requirements, as advocates continue to monitor conditions at the facility that has drawn national attention for its remote location and operational challenges.
