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Advocates allege repeated sewage flooding and unsanitary conditions at Torrance County Detention Facility
Summary
At the Nov. 13 meeting, Innovation Law Lab presented translated testimony from an ICE detainee alleging recurrent sewage and drainage flooding in multiple units at the Torrance County Detention Facility; advocates urged the county to reassess its role contracting/hosting detainees.
Representatives from the Innovation Law Lab read and played translated testimony Nov. 13 alleging repeated sewage and drainage flooding at the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF) with unsanitary conditions, restricted water access and prolonged lockdowns in affected units.
Tiffany Wong, a legal-services provider, read an English translation of testimony from an individual detained at TCDF: "Since April 2023, we have now heard of reports of sewage and drainage flooding in eight of the 16 ICE units at TCDF. All the downstairs cells and toilets flood and poop comes out. It's a disaster." PJ Podesta played the original Spanish audio. Innovation Law Lab told the commission similar reports have been shared previously and urged the county to "cease" serving as a middleman between ICE and CoreCivic to reduce harm to detainees.
County officials did not announce any immediate operational changes at the meeting. Commissioners received the public comment and asked staff to note the report. The allegations include repeated flooding events, temporary locking of units during events and cleaning responsibilities placed on detained individuals. The claim remains a complaint in the public record; no formal county investigation was announced during the Nov. 13 meeting.
What happens next: advocates requested follow-up and county engagement; county staff may review the allegation record and discuss potential next steps with detention-facility officials and legal counsel.
Source: public comment recorded Nov. 13, read by Innovation Law Lab representatives and available in the county meeting record.
