(Juneau) Two Democratic members of Congress made an impromptu visit to the Dodge County Jail. Congressman Mark Pocan and Congresswoman Gwen Moore showed up to the facility Monday morning and demanded to inspect the jail as an “ICE Detention Facility,” according to Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt.
Schmitd notes that the jail is not an “ICE Detention Facility” run by the federal government but is a county jail who has a US Marshall’s Service contract to house ICE detainees. Following the tour, Congresswoman Moore offered praise.
“We were pleased to see that it is basically a well-kept facility,” says Moore. “They have medical facilities…they have recreation centers…this seems to be a well-run operation…they have mental health services.”
There was some confusion over the presence of ICE staff at the jail, with Congressman Pocan commenting that they visit once every three weeks. The sheriff notes that it is true, but an ICE agent stays at the facility for a full week for regular inspections.
ICE does conduct about three inspections per year lasting three days each.
