In August it was announced that the Department of Homeland Security and the state of Indiana would partner and expand the detention space in Indiana’s Miami Correctional Facility by 1,000 people.
Kristi Noem, the director of Homeland Security, announced, “COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer. Today, we’re announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention by 1000 beds.”
Noem added, stating, “Thanks to Governor Braun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of the country. If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in the Speedway Slammer.”
This comes after the opening of the first detention facility in Florida, called Alligator Alcatraz, for the purpose of being in the heavily dense swamp area that is the Florida Everglades. On August 29, the U.S. District judge upheld her choice to slowly start closing the facility. In an 82-page doc, Judge Kathleen Williams, who struck down the continued opening of the detention center, stated that Florida officials didn’t have probable cause to put it in the center of the sensitive wetlands “cherished” by environmentalists and outdoors people alike.
As of now, regarding the “Speedway Slammer”, the IndyStar reported on September 17 that the state of Indiana expects to spend $16 million on the renovations. On the upside, Indiana taxpayers will not be the ones to front the cost of these new renovations that will occur, says Indiana Department of Corrections Commissioner Lloyd Arnold.
These renovations have caused uproar among Indiana Democrats, with Indiana Representative-D George W. Porter’s letter to the Indiana Department of Corrections saying, “Besides being adamantly opposed to this detention center, I’m confused about where we’re getting the money,” Porter said. “IDOC was short on funds for this budget. They’re still paying our counties for the $12 million owed in back payments. The IDOC and our law enforcement are walking on a fiscal tightrope.”
The complaints aren’t just coming from politicians, but from the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Penske, who also chimed in on the use of the word “speedway” in the nickname of the facility, though not trademarked by IMS. They went on to make a statement to the IndyStar saying, “We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of the announcement.” Further stating, “Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our IP not be utilized moving forward in the relation to this matter.”
If renovations end up going to plan, the facility will need to hire 170 new correctional officers to keep up maintenance. As of right now, there is no official date for when the extra 1000-bed extension.
