The Federal Correctional Institution in Leavenworth, Kansas, also known as the "Hell Prison," has been reopened by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain immigrants. The prison was previously shut down due to overcrowding, staff shortages, and violent incidents. The private prison industry in the US is worth around $6 billion, with most revenue coming from government contracts. The Leavenworth prison was first opened in 1992 as the country's first for-profit, high-security prison under a federal contract.
The prison has a history of violent incidents, including a 2021 attack on a female guard, Marcia Levering, by a high-risk inmate. The guard suffered severe injuries, including a broken jaw, rib fractures, and permanent nerve damage. A federal judge in Kansas described the prison as a "real-life hell" in 2021 due to its poor conditions. The prison was initially set to remain closed after President Biden issued an executive order in 2021 against private prisons.
However, the prison's operator, The GEO Group, announced plans to reopen the facility without waiting for a special use permit from the city council. The company claimed its federal contract allowed it to bypass local law. A court battle ensued, with the city council seeking to enforce licensing procedures. In June 2025, a judge issued a temporary injunction preventing the company from operating without a permit.
As part of the dispute, it was revealed that The GEO Group had sold the prison to the Department of Homeland Security for $238.4 million while continuing to operate the site under its existing contract with ICE. The company offered the city council a lucrative deal, including 300 jobs with competitive wages, over $1 million in annual property taxes, and a one-time payment of $1 million.
The prison began operating again in March, primarily holding immigrants who have not been convicted of any crimes. This is part of the mass deportation system implemented by ICE under the Trump administration, targeting non-US citizens. Local council members faced criticism from opponents of the prison when they approved the special use permit for immigrant detention.
City officials justified their decision, citing potential financial consequences from the Trump administration that could have led to bankruptcy. Several other detention centers have been reopened as immigrant detention facilities, posing risks to detainees and workers. These include the Etowah County Detention Center in Alabama and the Delaney Hall facility in New Jersey.
The reopening of the Leavenworth prison has sparked concerns over human rights and prison conditions. The facility's history of violence and poor conditions has raised questions about its suitability for detaining immigrants. The US government has faced criticism for its handling of immigration detention, with many calling for improved conditions and alternatives to private prisons.
Key points
- The US has reopened a notorious private prison, known as "Hell Prison," to detain immigrants, sparking concerns over human rights and prison conditions.
- The prison's operator, The GEO Group, has a history of controversy, including a court battle with the city council over licensing procedures.
- The reopening of the prison has raised questions about the US government's handling of immigration detention and its reliance on private prisons.
