A closed state prison in southern Arizona may soon return to service — this time as a federal immigration detention center — under a proposal from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A federal contracting notice posted this week indicates ICE plans to pursue a two-year agreement with Utah-based private corrections company Management & Training Corp. to operate the former Marana facility. The agency said the 513-bed site would support its enforcement priorities and help manage detention capacity needs tied to interior operations and border-related pressures.
The proposal outlines a full-service detention operation, including housing, security, food service, medical care and transportation. The facility would be staffed around the clock and operate under ICE’s 2025 National Detention Standards, accommodating adult male detainees across a range of security classifications.
Plans also call for designated office and support space for more than 30 ICE employees, including secure storage and video conferencing capabilities. Federal officials would install their own IT infrastructure, separate from contractor systems.
Management & Training Corp. purchased the property last year for $15 million after Arizona closed the prison in 2023. At the time, then-Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state was paying for more beds than were being used, making the contract financially unsustainable.
The federal notice does not represent a final contract award, and discussions about the site’s future use have involved multiple public agencies.
The potential reopening has drawn attention from lawmakers in Arizona, reflecting broader national debates over immigration enforcement and the role of private detention providers. U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva raised concerns about transparency, oversight and the impact on local communities. Other local officials have indicated they are monitoring developments and seeking clarity on the project’s scope and timeline.
Leaders in the town of Marana said the municipality is not a party to any federal agreement but has previously worked with the facility’s operator. Company representatives have signaled a willingness to meet with residents if the proposal advances.
According to the contracting notice, the facility would need to become fully operational within a reasonable timeframe after any agreement is finalized. The decision could mark another shift for a property that has already undergone significant change in recent years, while adding Arizona to the list of states navigating the evolving landscape of federal immigration detention.
