NAVY BRIG GREAT LAKES

• Oldest Continuously Operating Navy Brig: The Navy Brig Great Lakes, located at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, is the oldest continuously operating U.S. Navy correctional facility, having opened in 1911. • Support for Recruit Training: Its location at the Navy's only boot camp means it primarily supports the training command, housing recruits and sailors facing disciplinary actions. • World War I and II Activity: During both World Wars, the brig saw a dramatic increase in use, detaining thousands of sailors for offenses ranging from desertion to insubordination. • Historic Building: The original brig building is a red-brick structure, which has become a historical landmark on the base, reflecting early 20th-century military architecture. • Rehabilitation Focus: The Navy Brig Great Lakes has long emphasized rehabilitation, offering counseling, education, and work programs to prepare detainees for return to duty or civilian life. • Notable Escapes: Over the decades, there have been a handful of escape attempts — most notably in the 1940s, when several sailors tunneled out, only to be quickly apprehended. • Integrated Operations: The brig works closely with legal, medical, and chaplain services, providing a multidisciplinary approach to detainee care and discipline. • Modernization: The brig has undergone several modernization efforts, especially in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, to meet evolving standards of detainee rights and security. • High-Profile Inmates: Over its history, the brig has housed several high-profile sailors, including those involved in significant military scandals or crimes. • Symbol of Navy Justice: The Navy Brig Great Lakes is often seen as a symbol of the Navy’s commitment to upholding discipline and justice within its ranks, playing a key role in military law enforcement for over a century.