What is deer island jail?

Deer Island Jail is a former prison facility located on Deer Island in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, United States. The jail was operated by the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department and was used to house inmates from the Boston area.

Built in the mid-19th century, the prison was initially used as a workhouse and later converted to a jail. The facility had a capacity to house up to 2,000 inmates and was considered a maximum-security facility.

The jail was known for its harsh conditions, with overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate medical care. In addition to standard prison facilities, Deer Island Jail also had a hospital ward, a laundry, and a kitchen.

The prison was closed in 1991 after a long history of controversy and reports of abuse and misconduct by prison staff. The facility has since been turned into a detention center for immigrants awaiting deportation. Today, Deer Island remains a controversial site, with ongoing debates about the treatment of detainees and the conditions of the facility.