Karnes County Immigration Processing Center (ICE) - GEO

You can support your loved ones at Karnes Co IPC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 830-254-2000.

The Karnes County Immigration Processing Center (ICE) - GEO is a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility located at 409 FM 1144 in Karnes City, TX in Karnes County. This medium-security facility is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and functions as a holding center for immigration detainees awaiting trial, deportation, or serving sentences following conviction.

To find an ICE inmate, please use the Detainee Locator System with the A-Number search being the most efficient method. The A-number must be exactly nine digits; if shorter, zeros should be added at the beginning. When searching by name, the first and last names must be entered as an exact match, and the detainee's correct country of birth must be selected. Please note that records of individuals under 18 cannot be searched.

Detainees at this facility are assigned to housing based on their custody level, determined by various factors including sentence length and criminal history. The detention center provides a wide range of educational and vocational training programs. Additionally, the facility is equipped to meet most detainee needs, including dietary, health, fitness, education, religious practices, and entertainment. As a privately operated facility, it undergoes frequent inspections to ensure it remains in top condition, maintaining a clean record to secure ongoing government contracts.

Residents at the facility are provided with comprehensive services aimed at their well-being and rehabilitation. These include education programming, medical care, recreational activities, visitation facilities, life skills training, and access to religious and legal services. Children of school age receive educational services through a certified charter school equipped with state-of-the-art smart boards, while monthly field trips to local parks and libraries are organized for all children. Each housing room is equipped with individual TVs, microwaves, and bathroom/shower facilities, with multipurpose rooms available for social activities and laundry.

The facility, initially designed as a Civil Detention Facility, was converted into a Family Residential Unit for females and their children. GEO Group, Inc. (GEO), the operator, emphasizes rehabilitation and educational programs, offering a range of evidence-based programs such as GED and Pre-GED courses, Adult Basic Education, Special Education, and English as a Second Language classes. Vocational programs provide opportunities for career development with partnerships with community employers and certifications in various fields.

Cognitive behavioral treatment programs, faith-based services, and substance abuse education and treatment are also offered to address individual needs. GEO Care's Reentry Services division focuses on helping individuals nearing the end of their sentence transition back into society through residential reentry centers, employment assistance, rehabilitation, and substance abuse counseling. These programs aim to provide behavioral assessments, treatment, supervision, and education to parolees and probationers.

If you need information about a detainee housed at this facility, you may call (830) 254-2000 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday-Sunday. When you call, please have the individual’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, as well as their date of birth and country of birth. ​Search here - ICE Detainee Locator. Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (830) 254-2000 and leave the detainee’s full name, alien registration number as well as your name and a telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.