Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” Detention Center Faces Scrutiny
Experts raise safety concerns over rapid construction and design flaws.
A newly erected detention facility in Florida, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” is under fire as experts question its structural integrity and potential risks to detainees. Satellite images and videos reveal its rapid construction, even as concerns mount about safety.
Design and Construction Timeline
The facility, designed to house up to 3,000 individuals detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was toured by Donald Trump on July 1. Dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”—a nod to the area’s reptile population and infamous Alcatraz prison—the detention center’s swift construction has drawn both praise and criticism.
James Uthmeier, Florida’s attorney general, touted the speedy construction, posting on X: “And in just a week, Alligator Alcatraz was built.”
Benny Johnson, a political commentator who toured the site, described the eight-day turnaround as impressive.
Flooding and Structural Concerns
Videos have emerged showing flooding at the detention center, with electricity cables submerged during a storm. The **Florida** Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), led by Governor Ron DeSantis, indicated that detainees were present at the site on July 3.
NEW: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center in Florida is ALREADY experiencing severe flooding.
The facility isn’t even open yet.
DeSantis wasted no time sending in detainees anyway — even with electrical wires submerged in water.
SHAMEFUL. pic.twitter.com/WpsJk0a955
— Team DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) July 3, 2023
While the state department asserts that the structures can endure category two hurricanes with winds up to 110mph, a Sky News meteorologist, Steff Gaulter, pointed out that Florida has been hit by 13 hurricanes in the last 10 years, with seven reaching category three or higher.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be above-normal (NOAA 2024), heightening concerns regarding the facility’s preparedness. Structures in risk category two need to withstand 121mph wind gusts per guidelines from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI).
Dr. Patrick McSharry, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, stated: “There’s no way that a tent is going to be in any way something that you would advise someone to be in”
during a hurricane, emphasizing the need for a rapid evacuation plan.
Contradictory Views and Environmental Impact
Despite these concerns, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson praised “Alligator Alcatraz”
as “a state-of-the-art facility.”
Conversely, Tessa Petit, director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, expressed worries about sanitation and medical support. The Centre for Biological Diversity has also filed a lawsuit, citing the lack of environmental review, with attorney Tania Galloni stating that “the public has had no chance to provide feedback.”
With hurricane season looming, the debate continues regarding the safety and sustainability of “Alligator Alcatraz,” along with its long-term impact on both detainees and the surrounding environment.
