San Diego Contract Detention Facility

About Our Facility

We provide medical and mental health services to a population of approximately 1,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Marshal Service detainees. The patient population consists mainly of healthy adult males with a small percentage (15-20%) of females. Approximately half of our patients are Hispanic; the remaining population originates from countries all over the world including Africa, the Middle and Far East, Europe, and countries of the Pacific Rim.

The medical referral center opened its doors on June 1, 2002, and we've been growing ever since. Noted areas of medical care include our 32 bed Mental Health Unit and six medical isolation rooms which comprise our Short Stay Unit and Tuberculosis Infirmary.

Meet our Staff and see what we do

Our staff of over 40 personnel is comprised of U.S. Public Health Service Officers and contract staff working together to support the mission. Ambulatory and inpatient services are provided by a team consisting of Physicians, Psychologists, a Dentist, a Dental Technician, a Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses. The administrative staff includes the Health Services Administrator, Assistant Health Services Administrator and Medical Records Technicians.

We provide a variety of medical services, including but not limited to: intake screenings, physical examinations, chronic care clinics and acute care. Two key specialty areas are the mental health and short stay units. The mental health unit is a 32-bed unit manned 24/7 by nursing staff. The on-site psychiatrist oversees the medical care for these patients, many of whom are often referred from other sites within the IHSC. We're proud to provide in-house, 24-hour mental health coverage. The Short Stay Unit is comprised of eight hospital beds within six negative-pressure isolation rooms. These beds are used both for infirmary medical/ surgical patients and as a Tuberculosis Infirmary for patients under treatment or rule/out for active tuberculosis.

Our Location

The ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) Medical Referral Center- San Diego is located in sunny Southern California, only two-miles from the Mexican border, and minutes away from beautiful down town San Diego and Mission Bay. Places to go, People to see San Diego boasts over 70 miles of beaches. Coronado Beach is connected to the city with its beautifully curved bridge. Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and Encinitas are especially popular among the surfers. The upscale resort town of La Jolla is only minutes away from our location.

Downtown San Diego offers many fun places to visit including picturesque Seaport Village and the now-trendy Gas Lamp District, which features Horton Plaza, live theatres, cinema, dozens of restaurants, and the new Padres Ballpark. Grab a bite to eat and dance the night away at the Gas Lamp District. During the summer season, enjoy outdoor concerts every weekend on the bay.

Other fun destinations in and around San Diego include: Mission Bay with its adjacent Sea World Adventure Park; Balboa Park which is home to several museums and the world-famous San Diego Zoo; the San Diego Wild Animal Park; Lego Land California (a great destination for families with young children); and nearby Tijuana, Mexico, accessible from the light rail system.

San Diego also offers the ideal climate for sports enthusiasts. It is consistently ranked among the Top-50 golf destinations in the world. The pleasant year-round climate is ideal for all sports: from surfing to soccer, and tennis to mountain biking. Or take in a game with the San Diego Padres and Chargers!

To learn more

About the ICE Health Service Corps' San Diego Medical Referral Center and the clinical and administrative opportunities available, please contact us at the address below.