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After a nearly yearlong legal battle, Leavenworth, Kansas, a city known for its prisons, has approved the reopening of a shuttered private detention facility that will house immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. The decision comes amid a nationwide push for expanded immigrant detention capacity.
On Tuesday, the Leavenworth City Commission voted 4-1 to grant CoreCivic, one of America’s largest private prison operators, a three-year permit to operate the 1,104-bed Midwest Regional Reception Center. The approval includes specific conditions, including minimum staffing requirements, a prohibition on housing minors, and the establishment of a city oversight committee.
“If they don’t follow those guidelines, we can pull the permit,” Mayor Nancy Bauder emphasized before the commission’s vote.
The facility, located just 10 miles west of Kansas City International Airport, is expected to generate $60 million annually once fully operational, according to CoreCivic representatives.
The decision concludes an unusual legal confrontation between the GOP-leaning city and the private prison giant. Leavenworth initially sued CoreCivic when the company attempted to reopen the prison without municipal approval. The legal dispute played out in both state and federal courts, with the Department of Justice intervening on CoreCivic’s behalf, arguing in legal filings that the city was engaged in an “aggressive and unlawful effort” to “interfere with federal immigration enforcement.”
This appears to be the only such legal battle nationally that has delayed a private prison from opening during President Trump’s push for increased deportations. While the city maintained that requiring a permit would prevent future problems, CoreCivic argued it didn’t need municipal approval and that the permitting process would cause unacceptable delays.
Leavenworth’s opposition was particularly notable given the city’s deep historical connection to corrections. The name “Leavenworth” itself has become synonymous with incarceration in American culture. The area hosts several detention facilities within six miles of city hall, including two military prisons, the nation’s first federal penitentiary, a Kansas correctional facility, and a county jail—all major employers in the region.
CoreCivic previously operated the Leavenworth facility as a pretrial detention center for the U.S. Marshals Service until 2021, when it closed following then-President Joe Biden’s directive to reduce the federal government’s reliance on private prisons. During its previous operation, the facility faced serious allegations of mismanagement. The American Civil Liberties Union and federal public defenders documented numerous inmate rights violations, including stabbings, suicides, and even a homicide.
In its lawsuit against CoreCivic, the city described disturbing incidents, including detainees being locked in showers as punishment and accusations that the company impeded police investigations of sexual assaults and other violent crimes that occurred within the facility.
Public sentiment at Tuesday’s commission meeting was overwhelmingly opposed to the permit. Nearly four dozen residents spoke against the reopening, with Mayor Bauder repeatedly calling for order. Police removed one protester after they shouted vulgar comments during the proceedings.
“We, the people of Leavenworth, are not fooled and we don’t care about their money,” city resident David Benitez told commissioners during public comments.
Some supporters pointed to potential economic benefits for the community. Two CoreCivic employees spoke in favor of approval, with one employee, Charles Johnson of Kansas City, Kansas, saying his job provided purpose and allowed his family to stop relying on state assistance. “The people I work alongside are caring, professional and committed to doing things the right way,” Johnson said, drawing boos from critics gathered outside the meeting room.
Commissioner Holly Pittman, who voted for the permit, framed her decision as practical governance rather than moral endorsement. She argued that the city’s firm stance had enabled it to negotiate critical conditions on the permit, while denying it entirely would have exposed Leavenworth to potentially costly litigation.
“I will not gamble the financial stability of this city,” Pittman stated. “Let me be clear: Approval does not mean endorsement.”
The facility’s reopening aligns with broader federal efforts to expand detention capacity for immigrants living in the country illegally as immigration enforcement remains a contentious national political issue.
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7 Comments
Immigrant detention is a sensitive and divisive topic. I hope the city can strike a balance between economic needs and upholding human dignity. Strong oversight will be vital to ensuring ethical and lawful practices.
The economic incentives around private prisons are concerning. However, if the city can enforce strict standards, this facility may provide needed capacity. I hope the oversight committee will closely monitor operations.
As a taxpayer, I understand the city’s desire for the revenue. But private prisons have a troubled history. I hope the oversight committee will be empowered to rigorously monitor conditions and enforce high standards.
I’m curious to see how this plays out. On one hand, the city needs the tax revenue. On the other, private prisons have a poor track record on human rights. Careful monitoring will be essential to prevent abuses.
That’s a good point. Transparency and accountability from the private operator will be crucial.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. While private prisons can provide economic benefits, the treatment of detainees is critical. Robust oversight and clear guidelines will be key to ensuring humane conditions.
This decision reflects the complex tradeoffs communities face. While the economic benefits are clear, the human rights record of private prisons is concerning. Robust monitoring will be key to preventing abuses.