• by Ray Schultz , July 13, 2025

The Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times has published a list of more than 700 people who have been sent or are scheduled to be sent to the infamous Alligator Alcatraz detention facility in the Everglades.

Families of detainees have not been able to locate them. According to the Tampa Bay Times, persons sent to the detention center do not show up in an online government database. Many have no criminal records. 

Given the wildlife in the surrounding waters it reportedly is impossible to escape from the center. There have been many complaints about harsh treatment. 

The publication shared the list with the Department of Homeland Security and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, neither of which disputed its accuracy, the Herald writes.  

Given the daring it took to produce this list, the papers could be headed for journalistic prizes. 

The Herald and the Times have worked together on stories, and both are involved in Politifact Florida, a site that fact-checks statements by politicians.