Miami Correctional Facility is in Indiana, not Florida — Speedway Slammer site

The Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, Indiana—not Florida—is set to house a new federal immigrant detention initiative called the “Speedway Slammer,” adding 1,000 ICE beds under a federal-state partnership announced on August 5, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says the arrangement repurposes unused space at the state-run prison to expand immigrant detention capacity without new construction. As of August 25, 2025, DHS is temporarily using the site while Indiana and federal officials finalize staffing, transport, and legal protocols for full operations.

Location and why the name causes confusion

The choice of a prison with “Miami” in its name has caused confusion. The Miami Correctional Facility sits in Miami County, Indiana, south of the city of Peru and near the former Grissom Joint Air Reserve Base. It is hundreds of miles from Miami, Florida, and far from the coast.

For families, lawyers, and community groups trying to locate detainees, the state location matters: travel plans, legal support, and court scheduling all depend on the accurate site.

Facility details and contact information

• Address: 3038 W. 850 S., Bunker Hill, IN 46914
• Phone: 765-689-8920
• Property: 200 acres; located near the southwest corner of W 800 S and Highway 31
• Operational capacity: 3,188 beds (total)
• ICE allocation: 1,000 beds to be used for federal holds (about one-third of total capacity)
• Security level: High medium, adult male units
• Ownership: Indiana Department of Correction

The complex’s layout and road links make it reachable from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and the Chicago region by road, though the rural setting can be a travel challenge for families without cars.

Policy background and federal funding

Federal officials say the Speedway Slammer will focus on “the worst of the worst” criminal cases arrested by ICE, drawing parallels to a controversial Florida Everglades project sometimes called “Alligator Alcatraz.” The Indiana move was funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1), signed into law on July 4, 2025, which added 80,000 ICE detention beds nationwide.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the plan alongside state leaders, presenting it as a fast way to add capacity during a period of high enforcement.

State cooperation and logistics

Indiana’s role has been building for months. Governor Mike Braun signed an executive order in January 2025 to fully cooperate with ICE and align state law enforcement with federal immigration priorities.

Under the new deal:
– Indiana does not build new buildings; it shifts underused space to ICE custody.
– DHS manages detainee flow, transport, and court movement.
– DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will use 1,000 of the prison’s beds for federal holds.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes the 1,000-bed share mirrors DHS’s broader push to strike similar agreements with states.

Branding, backlash, and local reaction

The branding “Speedway Slammer” has stirred pushback:
– Town of Speedway officials say they were not consulted and worry about confusion with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the area’s racing culture.
– IndyCar officials objected to racing-themed images used in DHS materials.
– Immigrant rights groups view the nickname as dehumanizing and as signaling a tough-on-migrants message.

State and federal officials have emphasized the focus is on security and custody rather than marketing, but DHS has not indicated a name change.

“The moniker creates the wrong impression of local support and ties immigration enforcement to racing culture,” say local officials.

Conditions, legal process, and concerns

Community groups and civil rights advocates note prior issues at Miami Correctional Facility, including chronic staffing shortages and reports of violence and poor conditions. They warn that moving hundreds of ICE detainees into the same complex could strain:
– medical care and mental health services
– language access and interpretation services
– grievance and oversight systems

Advocates also question how state prison policies will mesh with federal detention standards and whether custody rules will be clear for people held for immigration reasons (not state crimes).

DHS says:
– the plan does not expand the prison’s walls and points to cost savings from using existing beds
– the conversion will meet federal detention standards and include access to counsel and visitation under facility rules

However, the timeline remains fluid: DHS has begun temporary use of the site, but there is no confirmed date for full operations and legal challenges could change timelines or conditions.

What families and attorneys should expect

Lawyers and families seeking clients at Miami Correctional Facility should plan for prison-style procedures, including ID checks, screening, and scheduled visitation blocks. The state prison environment differs from many ICE-only sites:
– movement and routines follow state corrections rules
– English-only signs and rigid schedules can make contact harder for non-English speakers and out-of-state visitors

DHS has outlined a basic transfer and detention process tied to the Speedway Slammer:
1. Arrest by ICE: People picked up for immigration violations, especially those flagged for serious crimes, may be assigned to Miami Correctional Facility.
2. Detention assignment: ICE will allocate detainees to the 1,000-bed pool, focusing on cases it views as the highest public-safety risk.
3. Removal proceedings: Detainees go through immigration court hearings; access to lawyers and visitation follows facility rules and any court orders.
4. Voluntary departure option: DHS is promoting voluntary departure through the CBP Home App to reduce time in custody; advocates caution that voluntary departure can carry long-term consequences and should be taken only after legal review.

Current gaps and demands:
– DHS and Indiana have not shared firm numbers on added staffing, translation services, or medical capacity.
– Civil rights groups want binding agreements on attorney access rooms, confidential calls, and video-conference slots for court and counsel.
– They also ask for clear grievance steps for detainees who are federal detainees housed inside a state-run prison.

Faith groups and local volunteers have organized prayer vigils and support events at the prison gates. These groups plan to monitor conditions and help detainees connect with counsel.

History and strategic fit

The Miami Correctional Facility was built in 1998 on land connected to a downsized Air Force base to support local jobs and services. Over time it became Indiana’s largest prison by capacity, making it attractive to DHS when federal funding became available this summer.

DHS’s current model favors building detention capacity through state partnerships rather than only federal construction projects.

What’s next and broader implications

Officials describe a staged approach:
– begin with temporary use (already started)
– ramp up as staffing, transport, court calendars, and facility retrofits come online

Potential delays:
– lawsuits tied to conditions and custody rules could slow the schedule
– staffing gaps or court orders could force operational changes

DHS is exploring similar deals in other states (Nebraska has been floated with the working nickname “Cornhusker Clink”), suggesting a broader national plan to add state-run immigrant detention capacity.

Key facts at a glance

Advice for impacted people

• Keep documents handy and write down the detainee’s full legal name and A-number (if known).
• Call ahead to confirm visitation rules and hours.
• Attorneys should verify video and phone access and request private rooms when possible.
• Check both DHS/ICE announcements and Indiana Department of Correction guidance for scheduling, intake, and property rules.

For official updates and press materials, the DHS Newsroom maintains announcements and background documents at https://www.dhs.gov/newsroom.

Final takeaway

One point is clear: the “Miami” in Miami Correctional Facility refers to Miami County, Indiana, not Miami, Florida. Families, lawyers, and community groups should plan for an Indiana location, a state-run environment, and a federal custody mission that may evolve as legal and policy battles continue. The Speedway Slammer is still taking shape, and developments in Bunker Hill will likely influence how DHS rolls out similar state partnerships across the Midwest and beyond.