A letter shared Tuesday with the Kern County Board of Supervisors described what detainees called inhumane treatment and medical neglect at the California City ICE Detention Center, operated by private prison company CoreCivic.

The letter, written on behalf of detainees recently transferred from the Golden State Annex, said they are facing unsafe conditions, delayed medical care, and poor sanitation at the facility.

It was submitted as dozens of community members pressured the county to direct its public health department to inspect local immigration detention centers.

Detainees said they were transferred without notice and have faced “unnecessary corporal punishment,” extreme lockdowns lasting more than 10 hours a day. 

“We were transferred from Golden State Annex on an unexpected, unprecedented move without warning,” the letter stated. “The process was so overwhelming that many of us are still traumatized from the experience.”

The detainees also spoke to the quality of the drinking water.

“The drinking water is straight from the sink; we don’t know where the water is coming from, it is not filtered, and when you turn the water on, white chemicals come out of the faucet,” the letter said.

Detainees said medication is often delayed or missing, with some receiving doses as late as 2 or 3 a.m. 

“Two major incidents since arrival [involved] two detainees collapsed on the floor due to lack of medications provided,” they wrote.

Many also reported coughing and having  “Sick Building Syndrome,” which is when poor air quality or ventilation in a building makes people feel sick, causing symptoms like headaches, coughing, or fatigue.

Others said they were denied religious or allergy-appropriate meals, with one detainee writing, “I am forced to be fed vegetarian food when I have allergies.”

The letter also alleges mistreatment by staff. 

“Staff is very unprepared to deal with detainees,” the letter said. “They have been treating detainees by screaming like we are wild animals.”

The detainees said they were denied contact with lawyers and family members for the first 72 hours after arrival and that communication remains limited.

“The facility has made it clear no contact visit lasts no more than 30 minutes,” the letter stated.

In a section titled “Requested Actions” in the letter, detainees listed 21 demands for improved treatment, living conditions, and access to legal rights. 

They asked for fair and respectful treatment from staff, filtered drinking water, and timely access to prescribed medications.

They also requested that mail sent to the Golden State Annex be rerouted to their new location and that detainees be given “five hours per week of library, as well [as] law library” access to prepare legal documents.

The letter said CoreCivic staff “open all of our mail, including legal mail, before handing it over,” which detainees said violates their confidentiality. They also asked for a working mailbox in each dorm so they could send legal mail directly.

Volunteers who visit detainees said the conditions described in the letter match what they see firsthand. Bob Coons has been a volunteer visiting detainees for eight years.

“It is hard to describe their pain. People have been yelled at and punished for trying to get their property and legal documents,” said Coons.

Other concerns include delayed commissary accounts, missing personal property, and a lack of hygiene supplies. 

“People’s legal materials are being held hostage,” the letter stated. “ICE and the CoreCivic Group are not doing anything really to solve this issue.”

Detainees said they are also struggling with poor ventilation and cold cells. 

“The cells are way too cold … everyone’s cell is super cold, everyone is getting sick,” they wrote. They asked the facility to improve ventilation and air conditioning.

They also asked to be medically screened for symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome.

Under a 2024 California law, SB1132, county health departments have the authority to inspect privately operated immigration detention centers for health and safety compliance. 

In Kern County, where three ICE detention facilities operate, the county’s health officer, Kristopher Lyon, through his attorney, has said he has “no intention” of using that authority, according to a CalMatters report.

Supervisor Philip Peters said the Public Health Department is just beginning to plan inspections, which are expected to start in early 2026. 

He also noted that the county faces financial challenges because the state often requires actions without providing funding.

Community advocates said waiting until 2026 is too slow. 

Alejandra Garcia of Building Healthy Communities Kern called the timeline “unacceptable” and warned of the risks. 

“This is an invitation for a preventable tragedy,” she said. “When that tragedy occurs, the fact that our county knew about the risk and chose not to act will be indefensible.”