Fact Check: The cost of operating large detention facilities can be significant.

Fact Check: "The cost of operating large detention facilities can be significant."

What We Know

The claim that "the cost of operating large detention facilities can be significant" is supported by various statistics and reports regarding the financial implications of detention operations. For instance, a report from the U.S. Department of Justice indicates that expenses for prisoner detention are expected to increase due to factors such as inflation, housing, guards, and medical care costs (source-1).

Additionally, recent statistics reveal that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has seen a dramatic rise in costs associated with detention operations, with expenses exceeding $17,000 per deportation. This increase strains the agency's budget, highlighting the significant financial burden of maintaining large detention facilities (source-3). As of June 2025, ICE detained over 59,000 individuals, surpassing the funded capacity of 41,500 beds, which further emphasizes the operational challenges and costs involved in managing these facilities (source-3).

Analysis

The evidence presented indicates that the costs associated with operating large detention facilities are indeed significant. The U.S. Department of Justice's acknowledgment of rising expenses due to inflation and operational needs suggests a systemic issue within the detention infrastructure (source-1). Furthermore, the reported cost of over $17,000 per deportation by ICE underscores the financial implications of their detention practices, which have expanded dramatically in recent years (source-3).

While the sources used are credible, it is important to consider potential biases. The Department of Justice is a government entity, which may present information in a manner that aligns with policy objectives. However, the statistics provided by independent analyses of ICE operations lend additional weight to the claim, as they reflect the broader impacts of immigration enforcement on budgets and communities.

Conclusion

The claim that "the cost of operating large detention facilities can be significant" is True. The evidence from credible sources indicates that operational costs are rising due to various factors, including inflation and increased detention populations. The financial burden on agencies like ICE is substantial, supporting the assertion that these facilities incur significant operational costs.