By Jennifer Theurer

According to a recent article written by Zane Irwin, reporter for the Kansas News Service, a private prison company is another step closer to opening a 1,000-bed immigration detention center near Leavenworth. The Leavenworth Planning Commission heard professional recommendations along with public comments at a recent public hearing on CoreCivic’s application for a special use permit to reopen a deactivated detention center that hasn’t housed inmates since 2021.

CoreCivic claimed it didn’t legally need to apply for a permit with the city but pursued one anyway. This triggered a series of lawsuits including one still making its way through the state court of appeals.

Leavenworth City Manager Scott Peterson confirmed in an interview prior to the hearing that the city commission would consider, but is not bound by, the planning commission’s recommendation.

While the hearing wasn’t about immigration or the Trump administration, commissioners repeatedly reminded attendees to keep the discussion focused on the permit process.