- Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
- Kansas
- PO Box 1000, Leavenworth, KS 66048
- 913-682-8700
- Official Website
- Featured
United States Penitentiary (USP) – Leavenworth's comprehensive information to help guide you through the federal prison process, specifically on how to remain connected to your inmate while they are incarcerated.
The USP-Leavenworth is a federal prison located at 1300 Metropolitan Ave in Leavenworth, KS. This federal medium security prison is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to hold inmates who have been convicted to and sentenced for a federal crime through the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
Locate all federal inmates here. If you would like to speak with a case manager or counselor, call 913-682-8700.
USP Leavenworth was opened in 1903 as a medium-security United States Penitentiary which also has a nearby minimum security prison camp. USP Leavenworth is located in Leavenworth, Kansas, approximately 25 miles from Kansas City. Between the penitentiary and satellite camp, the facilities have a total inmate population of 1,700 male prisoners, with 1,400 inmates at the penitentiary and 400 inmates at the camp. USP Leavenworth was originally a maximum security prison, is known as the largest maximum security federal prison in the United States. However, this changed when the penitentiary was downgraded to a medium security prison in 2005.
USP Leavenworth is located 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Kansas City, KS.
All inmates at USP Leavenworth are given the opportunity of self-improvement. Leavenworth encourages inmates to work towards their goals by providing a variety of programs and services. All inmates are required to participate in either work or education. Educational courses include General Education Development, Adult Continuing Education, English as a Second Language, Post-Secondary Education, Vocational Training and Apprenticeships, release preparation, and parenting classes. Inmates not assigned to education will be assigned to work. Some common work assignments include cooks, bakers, butchers, plumbers, welders, mechanics, painters, tutors, clerks, and orderlies. Recreational activities are also available for the benefit of the inmates. Recreation provides prisoners with leisure time to do activities such as crafts, softball, walking, and music time.
USP Leavenworth, a civilian facility, is the oldest of three major prisons built on federal land in Leavenworth County, Kansas. It is separate from, but often confused with, the United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB), a military facility located on the adjacent Fort Leavenworth army base. Located 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the USP, the USDB is the sole maximum-security penal facility for the entire United States Military. Prisoners from the original USDB were used to build the civilian penitentiary. In addition, the military's medium-security Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility (JRCF), located southwest of the new USDB, opened in 2010. The USDB and JRCF operate independently from USP Leavenworth.
Notable inmates that are currently or have served time at USP Leavenworth are George Kelly aka "Machine Gun Kelly;" engaged in bootlegging and armed robbery; best known for the 1933 kidnapping of Texas oilman Charles F. Urschel; Kelly was apprehended less than two months later and sentenced to life in prison. George Moran was also known as "Bugs" battled Al Capone for the control of Chicago's criminal underworld; convicted of bank robbery in 1957. John "Sonny" Franzese an American Mafia figure; an underboss of the Colombo Crime Family in New York City; convicted in 1970 of bank robbery; sentenced to 8 years in prison in 2011 for racketeering and extortion. Tom Petters former Minnesota CEO; convicted in 2009 of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering for orchestrating a $3.65 billion Ponzi scheme, the second largest fraud case in US history; featured on the CNBC television show American Greed now serving a 50-year sentence. Fritz Duquesne was convicted in 1941 of leading the Duquesne Spy Ring, a group of spies for the Nazis which operated in the US from 1939 to 1941 and aimed to obtain information regarding military and industrial sabotage targets; all ring members were convicted in what was the largest espionage case in US history. Duane Earl Pope a bank robber and former FBI Ten Most Wanted fugitive; killed three bank employees and wounded a fourth while robbing a Nebraska bank in 1965, now serving a life sentence. John Paul, Sr. Racecar driver, 1979 Trans-Am champion; indicted for drug trafficking in 1983; subsequently pleaded guilty to attempted murder for the shooting of Steven Carson, who provided testimony to a federal grand jury which led to his indictment.
Housing: Inmates in one-person and two-person cells.
Health Services: Health services include intake screenings, stress management, nutrition counseling, dental hygiene, urgent care, medical and dental care, chronic care, physical examinations, and medications. While emergency care is available 24 hours a day, inmates must submit a triage form for routine health care needs.
Psychology Services: The USP Leavenworth Psychology Services Department is available to inmates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. by appointment only. Appointments can be made by submitting a cop-out to Psychology Services or through the Unit Team or Health Services staff. Inmates experiencing an emergency situation (e.g., serious depression or suicidal thoughts) should report this to the nearest staff member and are generally seen immediately by Psychology staff. An on-call psychologist is available after hours to deal with emergency situations which may arise on evenings or weekends. Various services provided include individual counseling, crisis intervention, and special group programs. Among the group programs offered is Diversity in a Prison/Correctional Setting, which is offered several times a year, as well as the institution Admission and Orientation Program’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention presentation. Through the Religious Services Department, the Life Connections Program is offered for inmates who desire to grow as a responsible person.
Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP): USP Leavenworth houses a Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). A Drug Education class and the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program (NR-DAP) is also available.
Education Services: USP Leavenworth provides GED and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) programs. Parenting and Adult Continuing Education (ACE) classes are also available. High school diplomas and post-secondary programs are available through paid correspondence programs.
Advanced Occupational Education: USP Leavenworth offers advanced occupational education in Hospitality Employment and Retail Therapy (HEART) and Janitorial.
Vocational Training: USP Leavenworth offers two vocational training programs, Graphic Arts and Custodial Maintenance.
Library Services: The law library is located in the Education Department, and contains a variety of legal reference materials for use in preparing legal papers. Reference materials include the United States Code Annotated, Federal Reporter, Supreme Court Reporter, Bureau of Prisons program statements, institution supplements, indexes, and other legal materials. Most of these are available on the TRULINCS Electronic Law Library. A copy machine and typewriters are available for use at the law library. The leisure library is available for inmates to check out leisure reading material, including both fiction and nonfiction books. Reference books, magazines, and newspapers are located in the library for reading in the Education Department only. Cassette players for language programs, audiobooks on cassette, and video monitors for the video library program are also available for inmate use. An interlibrary loan service is also available.
UNICOR: The UNICOR facility handles recycling activities and services, and produces clothing and textiles.
Commissary: Inmates at USP Leavenworth are allowed to spend up to $360.00 per month in the commissary on such items as food, clothing, drinks, over-the-counter medications, and electronics. Inmates tend to use laundry bags to carry their purchases back to their housing units.
Recreation Services: A variety of activities are available on the USP Leavenworth recreation yard, second/third-floor recreation, and in the gymnasium for inmates. Special events, including unit or institution-wide tournaments, are held throughout the year. The Recreation Department also allows inmates to take photographs through the Inmate Photograph Program at designated areas and schedules posted on the Second Floor Recreation. The Recreation Department has a Movie Program for inmates to view movies in the Auditorium. The list of movies and schedule of showings is posted outside the Auditorium. The Recreation Department also offers a Music Program that allows inmates to utilize musical equipment or listen to CD’s.
Admissions and Orientation (A&O) Handbook – This document provides you with general information about the institution, programs, rules, and regulations that you will encounter during your confinement. Familiarizing yourself with this information and knowing your responsibilities will help you to adjustment to institution life.
- USP Leavenworth Admissions & Orientation Handbook
- Spanish: USP Leavenworth Guía de Admisión y Orientación
Commissary List – In 1930 the Department of Justice authorized and established a Commissary at each Federal institution. The Commissary provides a bank type account for your money & for the procurement of articles not issued regularly as part of the institution administration. Funds deposited by your family, friends, or other sources are stored in your commissary account that we maintain.
Legal Activities – This document outlines the procedures for access to legal reference materials and legal counsel and the opportunities that you will be afforded to prepare legal documents while incarcerated.
visitation Info
United States Penitentiary (USP) – Leavenworth Medium – Visiting Hours
- Monday 8:00am – 3:00pm
- Friday 8:00am – 3:00pm
- Saturday 8:00am – 3:00pm
- Sunday 8:00am – 3:00pm
- Holidays 8:00am – 3:00pm
