United States disciplinary barracks—on the move

Military Police, April, 2003 by Pamela Sue Ting, Rodney S. Morris

The rhythmic clink, clank, clink of full restraints echoed off the barren walls of the now empty Special Housing Unit (SHU) * as the last inmate left his cell and shuffled through the hall to an awaiting prison bus. Secured in leg irons, hand irons, belly chain, and black box lock, he was the last inmate to leave the 127-year-old United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He didn't say a word.

A couple of years back, the thought of moving the USDB seemed to be a task as monumental as the ominous, brown stone walls surrounding it. It would be the first move in its history. The plan had to be solid, rehearsed in detail, and executed as perfectly as humanly possible. Failure would mean risking yourself, your buddy, the local communities, and possibly your unit. Failure at any portion of the mission was not an option.

This article details the successful August to October 2002 operation that moved the USDB into its new facility. We dedicate it to the soldiers and civilians of the USDB and the 705th Military Police Battalion, Fort Leavenworth, which was augmented by the 411th Military Police Company; 720th Military Police Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; and the Fort Leavenworth Garrison. Together, they dauntlessly transformed vision into reality without incident.

Old to New

The USDB is the only maximum-security prison in the Department of Defense. At one time, it housed almost 1,500 inmates. The new facility, with a price tag of $67.8 million, offers state-of-the-art security systems and improved cell and workspace designs that bring the facility in line with American Correctional Association standards. However, it was only funded to house a maximum of 515 inmates. Over a period of several years, the USDB reduced its population to meet this capacity by transferring some inmates to regional confinement facilities and others to federal penitentiaries. At the time of the move, there were 419 inmates, including six death sentence inmates, to transfer to the new facility.

Move Planning

The timeline below depicts the overall plan to train up and transfer to the new facility. The training and certification had to be conducted while simultaneously operating the USDB. The USDB conducted split operations, on a limited basis, beginning on 1 August 2002 (when the "keys" to the new facility arrived), and then in synchronization during the move as each old wing was closed and each new housing unit was populated.

This was why the augmentation from the 411th was so crucial and deeply appreciated. Its soldiers worked in the vocational shops and held several key positions on every shift. This augmentation allowed each of the three guard force companies to be relieved from its shift, one company at a time, to train and rehearse. This support also freed personnel working in the vocational and operations shops so that they could train with one of the companies.

Phases of Movement

Once the mission analysis, planning, and training were conducted, the 705th refined its inmate movement plan. Each company had rehearsed inmate movement during the previous quarterly training and immediately before execution. The battalion divided the mission among each guard force company, the 411th, and the battalion Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT). It was a four-phased operation, lasting from 29 September to 5 October 2002; the custody and control of both facilities still had to be maintained.

Each day during the first phase, Company A inspected, inventoried, packed, loaded, and unloaded 50 to 80 inmates' authorized property. Company A also strip-searched and inspected inmates, reinspected the few personal hygiene items they were allowed to take to the new housing unit, and then escorted inmates to their preassigned cells in 6 Base, the cellblock in the SHU that was unoccupied and served as a maximum-custody isolation area. The inmates would spend one night in 6 Base and then be transferred the next morning.

In the second phase, Company C strip-searched, inspected, and secured each inmate, according to his custody level, and escorted the inmates to the bus at the loading dock outside 3 Base. The 3 Base cellblock area was empty and had been used for platoon and company training. Its final use was as the most secure and efficient route to transfer inmates from their staging area in 6 Base to the prison bus. Additionally, Company C inspected and cleared 6 Base before more inmates were brought down. The U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth provided a modified prison bus, greatly enhancing security during inmate transfer. The USDB had enjoyed a professional, reciprocal relationship with the penitentiary since its construction by USDB military inmates in 1897.

In the third phase, the 411th cordoned off and secured Area of Operation (AO) Vigilance (as the approximately 10-square-kilometer area encompassing the old and new facilities is known) before any inmate shipment. The battalion's CERT members reconnoitered the route, provided security using lead and trail vehicles and a response force for any contingency. No one, not even the chain of command, moved when AO Vigilance was closed.