The Adams County Correctional Center, located near Natchez in southwestern Mississippi, is one of more than 200 ICE detention facilities nationwide. Operated by CoreCivic Inc., the facility holds more than 2,000 detainees and is a major employer in the area, with roughly 400 staff members, according to Mississippi Today.
CoreCivic, a Tennessee-based publicly traded company, owns or controls about 57% of all privately operated prison beds in the U.S. The company reported $2.2 billion in revenue last year, with a significant portion coming from ICE detention contracts. Its revenue increased nearly $200 million between 2024 and 2025, largely due to rising ICE detainee numbers, reports show.
The facility houses men detained by ICE, most of whom are not from Mississippi. They are held pending deportation or release, with the average detention period around 60 days, though some inmates have been held for up to seven months, according to former warden Jason Streeval.
Controversies have surrounded the facility since a 2012 riot linked to poor conditions. The FBI investigated, and inmates were charged for participating in the violence. The facility also contains a solitary confinement unit called the “Zulu” unit, which has been criticized for alleged mistreatment, including a 2020 complaint claiming detainees from Cameroon were tortured by ICE officers.
In 2021, a Department of Homeland Security inspection found deficiencies in medical care and facility operations, including delayed responses to grievances and inadequate COVID-19 protocols. The American Civil Liberties Union has called for the shutdown of the facility. Detainees inside report harsh conditions but also note some similarities to other, more restrictive detention centers.
The facility operates under a contract with ICE, paying approximately $3.9 million monthly, with costs expected to rise. Requests for comment from CoreCivic’s leadership have gone unanswered, with the company directing questions to its public affairs office. Mississippi Today plans ongoing coverage to shed more light on these issues.
