Two detainees were mistakenly released from the Deportation Depot in Baker County, Florida, over the weekend due to an administrative error, officials confirmed. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) said the individuals were quickly located and returned to custody, emphasizing that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
What happened
Spokeswoman Stephanie Hartmann told the News Service of Florida that a bonding error caused the release. “Both individuals were quickly located and returned to custody,” Hartmann said. The agency is reviewing the incident to ensure accountability and to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
Facility background
Deportation Depot operates out of the former Baker Correctional Institute in Sanderson and houses undocumented immigrants awaiting transfer to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The facility can accommodate up to 2,000 people, though it currently holds about 1,000 detainees. It is distinct from the Baker County Detention Center, which is run directly by ICE.
According to state documents, Florida has a maximum $101 million contract with GEO|CDR BAKER for staffing, correctional officers, intake personnel, and health services at the depot. As of September 22, the state had paid the contractor roughly $32 million.
Financial context
The contract was awarded to GEO|CDR BAKER, a company formed in late August 2025 and led by executives from The GEO Group, the nation’s largest private detention contractor, and CDR Health Care. The partnership reflects Florida’s ongoing reliance on private firms to manage immigration detention.
Broader agency responsibilities
FDEM, which operates under Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive office, also oversees the state’s hurricane response. Recently, Hurricane Isaias struck the Florida Panhandle as a Category 2 storm, knocking out power to nearly 450,000 homes and businesses across four counties. Power has since been restored to all but 11,376 customers.
In a September report, FDEM warned of a potential $1.5 billion deficit in its Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year if two major natural disasters occur. Even with a full federal reimbursement for illegal immigration enforcement and a $500 million legislative infusion, the agency projects a worst‑case shortfall. The report also noted that only $84.6 million of the promised $608 million in federal grant money has been received.
Immigration enforcement numbers
State data shows that, as of October 14, Florida has assisted in the arrests of 27,898 undocumented immigrants. The recent release incident is an isolated administrative slip rather than a systemic security breach.
Response and next steps
FDEM officials said the incident will trigger a thorough review of bonding and release procedures. Hartmann stressed that the agency is committed to safeguarding the public while maintaining the integrity of Florida’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Local residents and advocacy groups are encouraged to monitor the review process and provide feedback to ensure that detention operations remain transparent and accountable.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
