Corrections_Today_Summer_2025_Vol.87_No.2

COMMITTEES

USDB celebrates 150 th birthday Military Corrections Committee By Peter J. Grande, CCE

Originally printed in the Fort Leavenworth Lamp newspaper. T he United States Disci nial anniversary with over 200 current and former employees participating in the events. On May 21, 2024, the USDB, the oldest Federal correctional facility, celebrated the 150 th anniversary of the United States Congress approv ing the establishment of a military prison located on the military res ervation at Fort Leavenworth. The celebration started with over 190 alumni attending a welcome recep tion at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 56. The following day, Lt. Col (retired) Peter Grande, former USDB Chief of Staff, kicked off the program with a presentation, “The History of the USDB: Changes Over Time.” Grande cited the USDB’s worldwide reputation of being the “Military Center of Cor rections Excellence” and traced the military prison’s 150-year history, highlighting significant events by decades. Twice in its history, the USDB was temporarily transferred to the Federal Prison System to relieve crowding. Between 1895 and plinary Barracks (USDB) celebrated its sesquicenten

Photo courtesy Peter J. Grande, CCE

Former USDB Commandants in attendance at the USDB Sesquicentennial Anniversary Celebration (L-R): Colleen L. McGuire (2002-04), Sioban J. Ledwith (2012-14), Caroline K.M. Smith (2018-20), Michael A. Johnson (2020-22), Eric R. Belcher (2010-12), Gregory A. Lowe (1992-94), Kevin M. Payne (2022-24), Marvin I. Nickles (1996-98), James W. Gray (2008-10), Erica C. Nelson (2014-16), Steven L. Andraschko (2000-02), Michael Lansing (1998-2000).

1906, prisoners from Fort Leav enworth built the United States Penitentiary–Leavenworth, the first Federal Prison. Grande explained the expansion of the inmate popula tion during wartime, the execution of soldiers and Prisoners of War, infamous inmates, and the decision to build the new USDB because the “Castle” was no longer struc turally sound. The 56 th commandant of the institution, Col. Kevin M. Payne, thanked the former USDB Com mandants, Command Sergeants

Major, and employees who returned for the celebration and told them they were the reason why the insti tution has such a reputation. Col. Forrest Chilton IV, 81-year-old, for mer USDB Battalion Commander, was recognized as the oldest USDB employee attending. Don Jauquet, who also attended, served as a First Lt. military personnel officer, from 1967 to1969. A windshield tour of Fort Leavenworth was provided by George Marcec, public affairs, and Walter Napier, assistant Combined

Corrections Today | Summer 2025

48