Federal immigration officials say the fire alarm system at the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Complex (CAFCC) is functioning properly and that a facility‑wide upgrade is in progress. In a written statement, an unnamed spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security emphasized that ICE routinely inspects critical infrastructure at CAFCC and has contingency plans ready should any problem arise.
Agency response to detainee reports
Two detainees speaking to the Arizona Mirror described alarms that sounded every few hours, both day and night, and claimed the noise prevented sleep. The Mirror shared an audio clip of an alarm with ICE and CoreCivic, the private operator of the facility. Both agencies denied that the alarms were continuously activating. CoreCivic said the alarms were “operating under normal conditions” and noted that the complex is “in the process of upgrading the fire suppression system with new sprinkler heads, facility‑wide, in addition to our scheduled fire alarm testing,” with completion expected by mid‑November.
Local fire department’s mitigation plan
The Florence Fire Department, while unaware of any repeated fire‑related dispatches, confirmed it is working with CoreCivic to address “recurring nuisance alarms and the triggering of intentional false alarms” at the detention center. The department has instituted a verification step before an alarm triggers a dispatch, and it reports no fire‑related responses to the facility in recent months.
Critics and congressional oversight
U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat from Tucson, called the conditions “cruel and inhumane” and pledged to hold ICE accountable. She has not personally witnessed the alarms during her oversight visits. While the representative’s concerns reflect a legitimate desire for humane treatment, the statements from ICE, DHS, and CoreCivic demonstrate that the federal government is actively addressing the issue and improving safety infrastructure.
Other detainee complaints
In addition to the alarm complaints, detainees said the food portions are small and the meals often undercooked, and that prices for basic items are high. These grievances echo complaints from other CoreCivic‑run facilities nationwide. The agency’s policy of paying detainees $1 a day for work remains in place under the current immigration standards released earlier this year.
What this means for the community
For residents of Florence and the surrounding Pinal County area, the federal response indicates that the detention center’s safety systems are being upgraded and that local fire officials are monitoring the situation closely. The ongoing collaboration between ICE, CoreCivic, and the Florence Fire Department aims to ensure that any alarm activations are legitimate and that detainees’ basic rights, including a reasonable night’s sleep, are respected.
Looking ahead
The planned sprinkler‑head upgrade should be completed by mid‑November, after which the facility expects fewer nuisance alarms. Continued oversight by congressional representatives and local fire officials will help verify that the improvements are effective and that the detention center operates in compliance with federal standards.
Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.
