About this Unit
The United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) Headquarters, located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, serves as the command and administrative hub for the military's only maximum-security correctional facility. Established in 1874, the USDB has played a critical role in the U.S. Army's military justice system, housing service members convicted of the most serious offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The HQ oversees all aspects of prison operations, security, rehabilitation programs, and support for inmates and staff. Throughout its history, the USDB HQ has adapted to evolving military correctional standards and remains a key institution for maintaining discipline and order within the armed forces.
Historical Facts
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Oldest U.S. Military Prison: The United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is the oldest military correctional facility in the United States, established in 1875.
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Only Maximum-Security Military Prison: USDB is the Department of Defense’s only maximum-security prison for military male prisoners convicted at court-martial for serious offenses.
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Historic Architecture: The original USDB, often called the "Castle," was a massive stone structure with imposing towers and walls. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 before being decommissioned in 2002.
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Famous Inmates: The USDB has housed notable inmates, including Robert Bales (the Kandahar massacre), Nidal Hasan (the Fort Hood shooter), and Chelsea Manning (WikiLeaks source).
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Renovation and Modernization: In 2002, the old "Castle" was replaced with a new $67.8 million, state-of-the-art facility about a mile away on Fort Leavenworth, designed for modern correctional standards.
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Execution Chamber: USDB is home to the military’s only execution chamber. Since 1961, no military executions have occurred, but several inmates remain on military death row.
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Capacity and Staffing: The new USDB can house up to about 515 prisoners and is staffed by several hundred military and civilian personnel.
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Role of HQ: USDB HQ oversees daily operations, security, rehabilitation programs, and prisoner management, and it coordinates with other military and federal correctional agencies.
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Historic Escapes and Riots: Over its history, the USDB has experienced famous escape attempts and riots, including a notorious 1919 riot that required military intervention to quell.
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Women in the USDB: Although designed for males, a small number of women have been incarcerated at the USDB over the years, but most female military prisoners are housed at other facilities.
