Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility facts for kids
The Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility (J.R.C.F.) is a special military prison located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. It opened in 2010. This facility is designed to hold military members who are awaiting trial or have been sentenced to less than ten years in prison.
The prison building is very large, covering about 224,736 square feet (20,878 square meters) on 45 acres of land. It can hold up to 512 people. Most of the beds are in general housing, with some in special housing areas.
The J.R.C.F. is one of three main federal prisons in the Leavenworth area. The other two are the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, which is a civilian prison, and the United States Disciplinary Barracks, which is another military prison. The Joint Regional Correctional Facility is located near the Disciplinary Barracks.
Modern Design and Green Energy
The Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility was built as part of a government plan called Base Realignment and Closure. This plan aimed to combine and close some military prisons, like those at Lackland Air Force Base, Fort Sill, and Fort Knox.
Instead of using old-fashioned building methods, this prison uses modern "modular cells." These are like pre-made rooms that are put together to form the prison.
The facility is also very modern in how it uses energy. It has 480 geothermal wells, each about 280 feet (85 meters) deep. These wells help to heat and cool the building using energy from the Earth, which is a very eco-friendly way to control the temperature.
Honoring a Hero
The street leading to the prison is named Sabalu Road. It was named in honor of Master Sergeant Wilberto Sabalu Jr. He was an Army corrections officer who sadly died in 2007 during the Afghanistan War. Naming the street after him is a way to remember his service and sacrifice.
People Held at J.R.C.F.
The J.R.C.F. holds military members who are awaiting their court-martial trials. Once their trials are over and if they are found guilty, they might be moved to another facility like the Disciplinary Barracks.
- Chelsea Manning: She was held at J.R.C.F. while awaiting trial. She was accused of sharing government information in 2010.
