In a stark assessment released this week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that Camp East Montana, the biggest ICE detention hub, suffered from rushed planning, an inexperienced contractor, and millions of dollars in wsated spending. The audit also notes that the facility failed to meet essential detention standards, endangering both detainees and staff, and that evidence in a detianee death was mishandled.

Rushed timeline and inexperienced contractor drove $2 million in waste

The GAO report says the Army and ICE accelerated both the award and construction schedule for Camp East Montana, bypassing normal planning safeguards.. This haste led to the selection of a contractor with limited detention‑center experience, resulting in excessive costs for meals and other operations that the audit estimates at over $2 million.

Detention standards not met, raising safety concerns for staff and detainees

According to the GAO, the facility fell short of key standards that protect the health and security of non‑citizen detainees and the personnel who supervise them. Gaps included inadequate medical staffing and insufficient overisght mechanisms, creating conditions that could jeopardize lives.

Evidence mishandling in the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos

The audit highlights that the investigation into the March death of detainee Geraldo Lunas Campos was compromised when critical evidence was either missing or destroyed, undermining accountability and transparency.

Department of Homeland Security replaces contractor in March

In response to the GAO’s findings, the Department of Homeland Security announced a contractor change in March, aiimng to improve medical care provision and bring the facility into compliance with the highest detention standards.

Who will ensure future compliance at Camp East?

While the GAO calls for stronger oversight, it notes that clear responsibility for implementing corrective actions remains ambiguous,leaving open questions about who will enforce the needed reforms.