I had posted another thread a while back about the demolishing of the Castle.
I have taken photo's of what is remaining and also found other photo's for folks to see.
There is a also a former inmate (exDBinmate) who has graciously offered to provide insight inside those stone walls. Check out comments 99 to current if interested.
I don't have an ex-inmate's up close and personal view of the workings of the DB, however, I worked there for three years. I worked on the third floor of the south gate building. We had all our office luncheons/promotions/retirements in the south gate visitors room.
The three years I was there (1977-1980) held some changes in the system. We did have women inmates confined there. Oh, not for long of course. They would manage to get pregnant within weeks of arriving usually, then would be discharged because of their pregnancy. One woman who was physically unable to get pregnant actually filed a Congressional complaint over it since she was going to have to serve her sentence.
Also, it was nothing to see "trustees" in the local bars on weekends. We had an office Christmas party one year that pretty much moved to a bar later on and the "trustees" were actually so bold as to ask us to dance.
It wasn't called Boy's Town for nothing, I guess! :)
In the time period I worked on Fort Leavenworth things changed drastically. There is no comparison to how the Post looks now as to how it used to look. The money/manpower are just not there to maintain it.
As to the new DB, we were taken on a tour just before it opened. It reminded all of us of a motel more than a prison. The individal cells have windows to the outside, as well as windows through their doors. TV's (with cable naturally) are strategically placed throughout the commons area, coke machines, tables and chairs...all the amenities. Its a different world for sure.