Key Facts
- Facility
- Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota
- Owner
- CoreCivic
- Contract duration
- Five years beginning Aug. 11
- Bed capacity
- 1,600 beds
- Closed since
- 2010
- Expected annual revenue
- $75 million annually after 2026
Background
Nearly a year after first considering the idea, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signed a deal to move in and reopen a long-closed private prison in western Minnesota as an ICE facility. CoreCivic, the owner of the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota, announced Tuesday it has awarded a contract to ICE to utilize the 1,600-bed facility for five years beginning on Aug. 11.
The private prison has been closed since 2010. CoreCivic CEO Patrick D. Swindle said in a statement that the company has made investments to help ensure an efficient reactivation in the event of a new contract, and that the facility's geographic location improves its ability to support its government partner throughout the United States.
Current Situation
According to a news release, ICE will pay CoreCivic a fixed monthly payment plus an incremental per diem payment based on detainee populations. Due to start-up activities and the phased commencement of intake operations, the facility is not expected to have an impact on CoreCivic's earnings for 2026, but is expected to generate $75 million annually thereafter.
CoreCivic said the facility is expected to receive detainees starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the full ramp complete by the second quarter of 2027. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from community members, with clergy and immigrant leaders calling for compassionate alternatives, while others support reopening the prison to boost the local economy.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Contract start | Aug. 11 |
| Facility closed since | 2010 |
| Bed capacity | 1,600 |
| Expected detainee intake | Fourth quarter of 2026 |
| Full ramp-up | Second quarter of 2027 |
| Expected annual revenue after 2026 | $75 million |
Impacts
Opponents quickly condemned the agreement. Bart Andersen, executive director of AFSCME Council 5, said the decision is morally wrong, dangerous, and more costly for Minnesota communities, and is fundamentally at odds with the values of dignity, justice, and respect that Minnesotans hold dear.
Indivisible Twin Cities also issued a statement opposing the facility, calling it a for-profit concentration camp and saying they choose that term intentionally. The reopening is expected to affect the local economy in Appleton, with supporters citing economic benefits, while opponents raise concerns about the social and moral implications of immigrant detention.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the facility begins receiving detainees as scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2026, it could generate significant revenue for CoreCivic, potentially reaching $75 million annually after 2026. However, the phased intake means the full financial impact may not be felt until the second quarter of 2027.
If opposition continues to grow, there could be legal or political challenges that delay or alter the reopening. Alternatively, if the facility operates as planned, it may become a permanent fixture in the region, affecting both the local economy and community relations. The outcome remains uncertain, and the situation may evolve depending on legal, political, and community responses.
Source: valleynewslive.com
