Introduction

After years of closure and community resistance, a former federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, is back in operation under Immigration and Customs Enforcement. CoreCivic, the private prison company that once ran the facility, has reopened the site to house immigrants as part of the federal deportation push, reigniting debates over safety, staffing, and the profit motive behind mass detention.

What Happened

Former prison guard Marcia Levering survived a violent attack in February 2021 when a high-risk inmate was released into her area due to severe understaffing. She was stabbed multiple times, suffered life-altering injuries, and now lives on disability payments after losing part of her colon and spleen. The incident exposed a pattern of chronic understaffing, eliminated safety posts, and a lack of training that former employees say is systemic at the facility. Leavenworth, operational for more than 150 years, had been closed in 2021 after a Biden-era executive order halted federal contracts with private prison operators. The shutdown came after years of documented safety failures, including a 2017 Justice Department audit that flagged the facility's failure to staff mandatory security posts. When the Trump administration took office, CoreCivic moved quickly to revive the site for ICE detention, selling the property to the Department of Homeland Security for $238.4 million while retaining operational control.

Why This Matters

The reopening highlights a broader tension between community concerns and federal immigration policy. Residents and advocacy groups argue that the facility prioritizes profit over people, pointing to wages that fall short of promises, contractor disputes, and a history of violence. Former staff describe a workplace where officers routinely worked alone, bubble safety posts were eliminated, and inmates were left without adequate supervision, creating conditions where violence could flourish. For detainees, the stakes are equally high, with reports of medical neglect, inadequate food, and prolonged lockdowns emerging from inside the facility. CoreCivic maintains that staffing levels are appropriate and that the facility meets safety standards, but former employees and independent audits paint a different picture. The facility's return under ICE authority raises questions about oversight, accountability, and whether the community is being asked to bear the cost of a federal enforcement strategy.

Key Takeaways

  • CoreCivic reopened the Leavenworth facility as an ICE detention center after it was closed in 2021 following safety concerns.
  • Marcia Levering's 2021 attack, in which she was stabbed multiple times, was linked to understaffing and the elimination of designated safety posts.
  • Former employees say the company hires with lower entry standards, resulting in underqualified staff on dangerous posts.
  • CoreCivic's 2025 profits reached $116.5 million, with ICE revenue more than doubling after the Trump administration expanded detention capacity.
  • The facility holds just over 500 detainees, well below its 1,033-bed capacity, yet conditions inside remain a concern for advocates and former staff.
  • Community pushback led to a special use permit battle, with the city ultimately granting approval after legal pressure from CoreCivic.
  • Wages for detention officer roles start below the $28.58/hour promised by company officials, according to current job listings.
  • A community oversight committee was mandated as part of the permit approval, but its effectiveness remains to be seen.

Conclusion

The return of a former hellhole prison under ICE contract underscores how immigration enforcement is reshaping local communities and reopening facilities with histories of documented failures. As detainees and staff navigate a system driven by profit and political demand, the experiences of those who worked inside or were held inside the walls of Leavenworth serve as a stark reminder of the human cost behind the numbers. Whether the promised oversight will prevent a repeat of past tragedies remains to be seen, but the pressure for accountability continues to grow.