09/24/2025
"I trust that you understand that some people have a different perspective, little bit maybe more focused on human rights and the real function of Indiana government, and wonder how we find ourselves in this position where we’re going to profit on somebody else’s misery," Indianapolis state Rep. Ed Delaney said.
The per-diem rate for detainees at this facility is $291 per detainee per day ― an unusually high premium compared to the $75-85 the federal government reimburses other facilities used as ICE detention centers in Indiana. ICE will also reimburse the cost of translation services on phone calls for detainees at a rate of up to 89 cents per minute, according to the contract.
Meanwhile, the actual cost of providing housing, meals and transportation for prisoners at Miami Correctional is about $80 per person.
Furthermore, barring "acts of God" that would prevent the facility from running, Indiana is guaranteed to pull in at least $79 million from this contract. That's because after a 120-day ramp up period, ICE agrees to pay for a minimum of 450 beds, even if they aren't filled.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to reimburse Indiana 3.5 times the actual cost of detaining people at the Miami Correctional Facility.
