Inmate’s Mother Exposes Hunger Strike at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Immigration Facility
The progenitor of one prisoner confined at the immigration detention facility colloquially known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ speaks out, claiming that certain inmates have started to stage a hunger strike. This assertion follows a demonstration organized by numerous charitable institutions who gathered outside the premises on Tuesday, asserting that the circumstances within are inhumane. As a form of dissent, certain prisoners, which includes her son, have stopped eating and drinking, she reported. ‘These individuals are not wrongdoers,’ the mother voiced. ‘Not a single wrongdoer should be subjected to the conditions in that facility. That environment is far from what should be called a prison.’
The story revolves around Michael, a native of Cuba, who was apprehended due to a breach of parole stemming from unresolved traffic transgressions. The mother clarifies that his license had lapsed. Michael has been in the custody of the center since the 5th of July, a mere four days following its inauguration. ‘Their health is being compromised due to starvation. They’re being physically abused and are subjected to inadequate supplies, including a lack of proper medication,’ she expressed.
According to the details of a collective lawsuit in which Michael, together with one or more inmates, is mentioned, he would rather face deportation to Cuba than endure another day in Alligator Alcatraz. Named in this legal pursuit are the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Governor DeSantis, Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, among other federal institutions and representatives.
The lawsuit sheds light on the deplorable conditions within the facility, such as the allocation of ‘only a single meal each day’ and a time constraint of merely minutes to finish their meals. Further, the suit claims that the inmates do not have access to daily shower facilities and are kept inside a confined space ‘around the clock’. Alarmingly, the allegations assert that the guards themselves are known to exercise brute force over the detainees.
‘These detainees are humans, not beasts,’ the distressed mother stated. ‘It’s disheartening to see them surrounded by wild beasts in there, it is not a place for humans.’ On the 11th of July, the situation of health care within the facility reached a critical level of negligence. As a result, Michael had to undergo prompt surgical treatment due to ‘excessive and profuse bleeding,’ a horrifying revelation stated in the lawsuit.
The plaint reveals that following his surgery under these grim conditions, Michael suffered considerably from post-operative pain. A worrying summertime combination of high temperature and moisture led to a pus discharge from his surgical wound. ‘What fears me is the prospect of him facing similar atrocities in Cuba, identical to what he is enduring here,’ the mother expressed. Her concerns revolve around the potential threats he may face in Cuba considering his political asylum-seeker status.
The lawsuit further claims a violation of prisoner rights, where they are allegedly being denied communication with their legal representatives. To support this point, it points out the continued efforts of Michael’s lawyers who have been continually attempting to schedule private visits or phone calls, but met with a rigid opposition from law enforcement authorities.
The mother, caught in a desperate situation, appeals for a solution to aid her son. She acknowledged feeling she has exhausted her alternatives. She reflected on the contrasting circumstances: ‘Escaping a despotic nation to find liberty, only to find that their basic human rights are not being respected,’ she expressed. ‘Each one of such rights is being blatantly overlooked.’ Meanwhile, governmental authorities have continually refuted such accusations, asserting that the detainees at Alligator Alcatraz are being taken care of fairly. They maintain that all provision of essentials such as food, water, and medical facilities is executed appropriately.