The original Kinross Correctional Facility closed in October 2015, with most of the inmates and the name moving to the formerly closed Hiawatha Correctional Facility.
Original facility
The original Kinross Correctional Facility was opened on January 16, 1978 on the barracks grounds of the former Kincheloe Air Force Base with an original capacity of 495 prisoners - which was increased to approximately 700 shortly after. At it was the largest fenced area of any state prison in Michigan. The original facility was closed in October 2015, having gained the ability to house almost 1,600 inmates. Approximately 1,280 inmates were relocated to the previously closed Hiawatha Correctional Facility and 300 transferred to the neighboring Chippewa Correctional Facility. The move was made when it was determined that it would be less costly to update the security at the Hiawatha facility than the original prison. The original facility was larger and held more inmates but had been converted from Air Force barracks in 1978, whereas Hiawatha was purposely built as a prison.
Hiawatha Correctional Facility
Hiawatha Correctional Facility was built as a prison near the Kinross facility and opened in 1989. The facility closed in August 2009. It was reopened and renamed Kinross Correctional Facility when that facility closed in October 2015.
Escape attempts
Over the course of two years, four inmates dug a tunnel from their cell to the outside of the perimeter fence of the original facility. The plot was only discovered in March 2007, after the tunnel had been completed but the escape had to be delayed in order to find a getaway driver. On July 15, 2010, Three inmates, all men convicted of mass murders, hijacked a supply truck at the prison and attempted to escape from the original facility by breaking it through a fence. The truck was unable to break through, getting stuck on the razor-wire. Seth Privacky, in prison for the murder of five members of his family, was shot and killed by guards as he attempted to flee the truck. The other two gave up when the truck became stuck.
Facility
The current facility is composed of eight level II housing units, which can accommodate up to 1,280 prisoners. KCF also maintains a housing unit near the site of the former facility housing 320 level I prisoners. The 50 acre prison has ten buildings which includes an administration building, programs building, maintenance, food service and indoor activity areas.
Security
The facility is surrounded by two fences with razor-ribbon wire with electronic security devices. Armed staff are also utilized to maintain perimeter security.
