Judge blocks private prison operator from housing ICE detainees at shuttered Kansas center
- Leavenworth County Judge John Bryant blocked CoreCivic from reopening its Midwest Regional Reception Center prison on Wednesday in Leavenworth, Kansas.
- The city sought a temporary restraining order because CoreCivic failed to secure a required special use permit through local development processes before reopening.
- CoreCivic operated the facility from 1986 until 2021, faced criticism for obstructing police investigations, and withdrew its permit application after disputes over scheduling public hearings.
- The facility has 1,033 beds, and CoreCivic claims reopening delays could cost $4.2 million monthly, while the city stresses the permit process ensures public input and safety controls.
- The ruling highlights tensions between CoreCivic and Leavenworth officials over regulation compliance, suggesting that CoreCivic must complete local approval before resuming detainee housing.
41 Articles
41 Articles

Leavenworth wins temporary restraining order barring CoreCivic from taking ICE detainees
Scott Peterson (center), Leavenworth city manager, and attorneys for the city David Waters, left, and Joseph Hatley, spoke to the media after winning a victory in Leavenworth County District Court against CoreCivic. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)LEAVENWORTH — A Kansas district court barred CoreCivic Wednesday from reopening its shuttered prison until the company goes through Leavenworth’s development process to receive a special use permit. J…
A judge on Wednesday banned a major U.S. private prison operator from housing immigrants facing possible deportation in a closed detention center in the Kansas City area unless he can obtain a permit from frustrated municipal officials. Leavenworth County Judge John Bryant agreed after a crowded hearing to grant Leavenworth City's request for a temporary restraining order against CoreCivic, one of the largest private prison operators in the coun…
Judge blocks private prison operator from housing ICE detainees at shuttered Kansas center
A judge on Wednesday barred a major U.S. private prison operator from housing immigrants facing possible deportation in a shuttered Kansas City area detention center unless it can get a permit from frustrated city officials. Leavenworth County Judge John Bryant agreed after a packed hearing to grant the city of Leavenworth's request for a temporary restraining order against CoreCivic, one of the nation's largest private prison operators.CoreCivi…
Planned ICE detention center temporarily blocked from opening in Leavenworth, Kansas
The city of Leavenworth, Kansas, has netted a momentary victory in its battle to force private prison operator CoreCivic to follow the city’s interpretation of local rules. The company wants to house detainees for federal immigration authorities — without a city permit.
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