Navy prepares to open new brig in Chesapeake - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Navy prepares to open new brig in Chesapeake

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A new Navy prison in Chesapeake will begin receiving inmates in August.

The $64 million United States Naval Consolidated Brig was built to hold as many as 400 prisoners in single 8-by-10 cells. The lockup will replace brigs at Norfolk Naval Station and Quantico and Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marine Corps bases.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that the 209,000-square-foot facility will house prisoners of all service branches who are awaiting trial or serving sentences of five years or less.

Navy Cmdr. Erik Spitzer, who will oversee the brig, said Friday that prisoners will begin their day at 5 a.m. The day will be filed with counseling, classes and physical work, with some weekend and holiday visits from relatives. Prisoners will have access to an in-house library and a gym.