WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) – announced this week the U.S. Penitentiary (USP) in Leavenworth received $356 million to construct a new Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) and a satellite Federal Prison Camp (FPC) in Leavenworth. The funding announcement has received praise from leaders in Leavenworth, Kansas City and Federal officials. Please see the statements in support of the Leavenworth Penitentiary project.

Mike Griswold, Leavenworth Mayor:

“Today is an exciting and important day in the history of the First City of Kansas. The announcement of a plan to construct a new prison to replace the current U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth represents a continuation of the City's century (+) long relationship with our great federal partner, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The city values this relationship and wishes to thank BOP leadership for their expertise and professionalism in the years leading up to this moment. 

“Senator Moran has been the champion in Congress for the new prison and we thank him for his due diligence, perseverance, and ability to keep all parties informed and moving forward. His strong and consistent leadership has been instrumental in the decision to construct a new federal penitentiary to Leavenworth. City elected and appointed officials and the citizens we serve, appreciate his work, which will benefit the city, county, state and nation in the decades ahead.”    

Brandon Johannes, President and CEO, Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce:

“The Leavenworth-Lansing Area has always had a strong, positive, and mutually beneficial relationship with the federal government; one cannot overstate just how much that relationship means to our community, particularly with regard to employment and economic development opportunities. It was only natural, then, that Senator Moran, the Bureau of Prisons, and the City of Leavenworth would, together, succeed in bringing to fruition a project of such magnitude. Thanks to their tireless efforts, perseverance, and unanimity, our community will see and experience the opportunities and benefits of both the new Federal Correctional Institute and Federal Prison Camp for years to come.”

Steve Jack, Executive Director, Leavenworth County Development Corporation:

“The construction of a new penitentiary and the extraordinary level of capital investment will mean hundreds of construction jobs for Leavenworth and the retention of more than 300 employees at the new facility for many years to come. Credit to Sen. Moran’s leadership and the City of Leavenworth’s consistent communications that federal expenditures in Leavenworth are solid investments.” 

Joe Reardon, President and CEO, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce:

“The KC Chamber applauds the allocation of federal funding for the construction of new facilities in Leavenworth for the federal prison and appreciates Senator Moran’s leadership and work to secure this funding. The KC Chamber is pleased to see this modernization effort planned for the Leavenworth system and is hopeful the US Bureau of Prisons will take this opportunity to design a state-of-the-art facility accounting for rehabilitative and educational programs to ensure prison residents will be prepared to reenter society with the skills needed to participate in our country’s workforce and enjoy healthy engagement in our communities. The KC Chamber stands ready to work with the Bureau of Prisons, the City of Leavenworth and Senator Moran’s office to ensure successful reentry programs are a part of this institution’s design.”

Michael Carvajal, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons:

“Chairman Moran is a great partner for federal law enforcement in Kansas and across the nation and we appreciate his steadfast support for our efforts to keep the American people safe. The Bureau of Prisons appreciates his support for this project.”

Kansas State Senator Kevin Braun:

“We are so appreciative to Senator Jerry Moran for his dedicated service to bring this incredible opportunity to Leavenworth County and the state of Kansas. He has consistently shown his commitment to my Senate District with ongoing support for projects on Fort Leavenworth and now with Federal Corrections. He is an example of what can happen when you elect the right people.” 

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran:

“After nearly 20 years of preparation, I am pleased this project is now fully funded and I look forward to breaking ground in the near future. This project will bring the Leavenworth prison system into the 21st century, while also providing hundreds of jobs during the multi-year construction of the facilities. At a time when federal prisons are closing around the country, this project will secure jobs for Kansans for decades. This is one of the largest federal projects undertaken in Kansas in the last few years, and I will continue to work with the city of Leavenworth and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to get this project to completion. Leavenworth officials have worked hard to get us to this point and a lot of credit and accolades go to Mayor Griswold, City Manager Kramer and those who preceded them.”

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