ICE Reopens Controversial Leavenworth Prison, Hiring CoreCivic Amid Community Opposition

ICE has reopened the infamous medium-security federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, which had been shuttered due to severe overcrowding and understaffing issues. The facility is now being operated by private prison company CoreCivic under a new contract with ICE, despite significant opposition from local residents and officials who fear a return to unsafe conditions.

In February 2021, Marcia Levering, an Army veteran working as a guard at the prison, narrowly escaped serious injury when a high-risk inmate was mistakenly released into her path. The incident highlighted longstanding problems of overcrowding and understaffing that plagued the facility throughout its history. These issues contributed to the Biden administration's decision to close the prison in 2021 following an executive order aimed at reducing private prison profiteering.

However, under the second Trump administration, ICE reversed course and decided to repurpose the Leavenworth site as a detention center for immigrants, many of whom have no criminal convictions. The facility has been reopened and is now being filled with detainees, raising concerns among advocates about potential human rights violations and unsafe conditions.

CoreCivic recently sold the prison property to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for $238.4 million but expects to continue operating it under its existing ICE contract. Local officials claim that CoreCivic bypassed established city processes and community opposition to force the reopening, arguing that this move prioritizes profit over public safety.

Current conditions at the Midwest Regional Reception Center are difficult to confirm independently. According to local reports, as of July 28, there were approximately 365 male and 112 female detainees housed in the facility. Community groups such as Northland Neighbors United have reported allegations of medical neglect, inadequate food supplies, and prolonged lockdowns among detainees.

Esmie Tseng, communications director for the ACLU of Kansas, emphasized that operating detention facilities is not merely a matter of business but involves significant ethical considerations. "This isn't just about moving widgets or manufacturing products," she stated. "It's about profiting from incarcerating people."

The city of Leavenworth initially resisted CoreCivic’s efforts to reopen the prison without proper permits, leading to legal battles between both parties. In June 2025, a state district court judge issued a temporary injunction preventing CoreCivic from operating the facility until it obtained a special use permit.

CoreCivic's approach involved offering substantial financial incentives to local officials, including promises of job creation and increased tax revenue. However, critics argue that these economic benefits do not outweigh the potential risks to public safety and human rights posed by such facilities.

As debates continue over the ethics and legality of private prison operations, particularly in the context of immigrant detention, concerns about accountability and oversight remain at the forefront. Advocates are calling for greater transparency and stricter regulations to ensure humane treatment of detainees while protecting the well-being of staff members.