U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) requested a copy of the results of the Department of Defense’s site survey of Fort Leavenworth’s Disciplinary Barracks in a Friday letter to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.
Jenkins’ letter follows concerns that Fort Leavenworth will be used to house former detainees from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility.
“As a representative of Leavenworth County, I believe it is very important that the Department of Defense shares their survey results with our community,” Jenkins said. “The folks of Leavenworth County would be most impacted should the detention center at Guantanamo Bay close and the remaining terrorists be transferred to Fort Leavenworth. Decisions that could endanger American lives and have a very detrimental impact on the local community and military installation require openness, not secrecy. I urge the President and his Administration to be fully transparent in their plans to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.”
Site surveys for three of the potential locations that would hold the Guantanamo detainees were developed as part of Carter’s efforts to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. In her letter, Jenkins asked Carter for the results of the survey.
“I appreciate your understanding of the impact this plan and its potential implementation may have on my constituents and other residents of the great state of Kansas,” the letter said. “I further appreciate your prompt reply, including a copy of your detailed report regarding the plan to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay and subsequent transfer of its detainees to the United States.”