However, viewed through the tinfoil prism this is definitely a government conspiracy. They better pick 55 total bad@sses, even the Spartans used 300 at Thermopylae.
‘Stab proof vests aren’t normal riot gear. That is prison gear. ‘
Stab proof vests and gloves are stardard riot gear in prisons which is what Leavenworth is. Riots don’t only happen on public city streets. All prisons, civilian or military, use riot gear.
When a violent inmate is refusing to follow the rules or is threatening the officers with a weapon, a team of officers rush the cell and subdue the inmate. They are covered in head to toe with protective gear - helmets, face shields, arm protectors, vests, gloves, steel toe boots, thigh, knee, and shin guards.
Those same officers would put down a large riot in the cafeteria or outside exercise area where they may or may not need the stab gear depending on the circumstances.
This small (under $20k) procurement was for the officer’s safety inside Leavenworth.