INDIANAPOLIS The State Budget Committee has approved more than $15 million to help prepare the Miami County Correctional Facility, dubbed the "Speedway Slammer," to serve as a federal immigration detention center.

The Indiana Department of Correction requested nearly $15.8 million to upgrade the facility and purchase equipment, according to the official contract and intergovernmental service agreement between the IDOC and ICE. The state expects to be reimbursed for the approved funding.

The agreement between ICE, the Department of Homeland Security and the facility is set to begin September 30. The documents show ICE will be provided with 1,000 beds, and Indiana will receive a per-diem of $291 per detained person for 60 days.

Democratic State Rep. Greg Porter sent a letter to the IDOC l

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