Officials decry idea of moving Guantanamo prisoners to Fort Leavenworth

TOPEKA – Several elected officials are weighing in to object to moving prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. Disclipinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the outcry came after Defense Secretary Ashton Carter ordered a site survey at Fort Leavenworth as well as Charleston, S.C. Carter has said other sites will be assessed.

State Sen. Steve Fitzgerald of Leavenworth said housing prisoners in Fort Leavenworth could be an invitation for attacks in the vicinity.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said the move would require closing off public access to Sherman Airfield in Leavenworth and stopping nearby rail and barge traffic.

And Gov. Sam Brownback, who said he spoke with Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work on Thursday, said it would be wrong to send “these terrorists, who hate America, to the Heartland.”

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 6:46 AM with the headline "Officials decry idea of moving Guantanamo prisoners to Fort Leavenworth."