In part, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Mission Statement states, "…actively encouraging (inmates) and assisting them to become law-abiding citizens."

The fourth Value listed under the KDOC Mission Statement is:

We respect the dignity of individuals, the rights of all members of society and the potential for human growth, development, and behavioral adjustment. We recognize that offenders have the potential to live as law-abiding citizens.

Within this Value, there are two Principles of note:

Programs and opportunities to assist offenders in developing social and living skills will enhance their potential to become law-abiding citizens. We encourage offenders to participate in such programs and will strive to motivate them to contribute to their development.

and

Offender work programs and employment play a critical role in developing skills and abilities which will serve offenders on release, contribute to the good order and management of institutions, contribute to offenders success in the community, and reflect our society's belief in the value of work.

Nationally, Kansas was one of the first seven states in the United States to be authorized by the federal government to allow private companies who ship products out of the state to employ inmates.

The Private Industry Enhancement (PIE) Certification Program allows private industry to establish joint ventures with State and local correctional agencies to produce goods using prison labor. Program benefits for the following individuals/areas include:

• THE CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. The program is a cost-effective way to occupy a portion of the ever-growing prison population.
• THE INNOCENT CRIME VICTIM. The program provides a means of partial repayment for harm sustained.
• THE PRISONER. The program offers a chance to work, to meet financial obligations, to increase job skills, and thus, potentially, to increase the likelihood of meaningful employment upon release from incarceration.
• THE PRIVATE SECTOR. The program provides a stable and readily available workforce. In addition, many correctional agencies provide manufacturing space at greatly reduced rates to private sector companies involved in the program.

Private industries provide meaningful and gainful employment for the inmate population. They are part of the reintegration process of the inmates. ECF has partnered with two private industries to provide inmates with non-prison based employment/work release opportunities.  These industries are located in Ellsworth and Lorraine.  In these positions, inmates manufacture livestock equipment and construct steel beams and girders.

The facility has two prison based private industries.  Each currently employs eight inmates who manufacture agricultural equipment and small sub-component parts for cattle chutes.

All inmates employed by private industries earn prevailing rates in the area.  These wages are subject to all federal, state, and local taxes.  Additionally, these inmates are assessed the following fees:

• Food & Lodging - 25%
• Transportation Fees (dependent upon job location)
• Aide to Dependent Children - 25%
• Filing Fees/Civil Court Costs - 2%
• Victim's Compensation - 5%
• Restitution - 5%
• Criminal Court Costs - 2%
• Mandatory Savings - 10%

Upon deducting the mandatory deductions, the remaining net balance is placed into the inmate's institutional account.

Because of inmate worker contributions to room and board, family support, victim’s compensation, and taxes, the program provides a way to reduce the escalating cost of crime. Public benefit ranges from monies being placed into tax supported programs, i.e. Crime Victims Reparation Board to the inmate's mandatory savings. Typically, upon release, an inmate receives a $100.00 "gate check". Upon release, an inmate is immediately responsible for rent, utilities, transportation, food, etc.  In many cases, an inmate upon release only has this $100.00 "gate money" available. Therefore, the money in the inmate's mandatory savings allows the inmate a better opportunity to succeed upon his release from prison from a financial standpoint as he transitions back into public life. Also, the inmates assigned to private industry do not receive the $100.00 "gate money" due to the mandatory savings, thus, additional savings to the taxpayers.