Programs
EducationEducational opportunities for inmates housed at ECF include:
KDOC contracted with Southeast Kansas Education Service Center (Greenbush) to provide vocational services. The Vocational Homebuilding Program at ECF began on July 1, 2004, with 12, 900-hour allocated slots. The program uses individualized, hands-on construction in cooperation with competency-based curriculum to teach various aspects of the building trades. Inmates/students become acquainted with and proficient in the use of routers, compound miter saws, table saws, sanders, nailers, and other hand tools. Training components consist of basic carpentry, cabinet installation, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and home building. Inmate/students develop their skills by building low and moderate priced housing. Since the program began at ECF, six homes have been completed and sold at auction. Employment relations training is also a vital component of the curriculum and includes such aspects as getting a job, keeping a job, and interpersonal relationships with employers and other employees. Beginning in March 2008, the Vocational Homebuilding Program began building cabins for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Thirty cabins are to be built over the next five to six years. As of August 2011, 18 cabins have been completed.Barton Community College provides the following on-site educational opportunities for inmates which is made possible through a Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training (CBJT) Grant Program:
Manufacturing Skills Certification (MSC): This is an 8 hour credit bearing course consisting of five classes. Classes are: OSHA 10 Safety Course, basic shop math, blueprint reading/geometric dimensions, precision measurement, and employability skills. The MSC course provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain entry level work on the shop floor of almost any manufacturing or construction company. Maximum enrollment is 10. As of this date, all slots are filled.
Welding Certification: This is a 16 hour credit bearing course consisting of six classes. Classes are: OSHA 10 Safety Course, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, blueprint ready for welders, and cutting processes. The welding instruction provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain an entry level welding job. The course covers different types of welding for various types of metals, including oil field pipe and aluminum. Maximum enrollment is 10. As of this date, all slots are filled.
Plumbing Certification: This is a 9 hour credit bearing course consisting of the following classes – OSHA Safety Training, Plumbing I, Plumbing II, and Shop Practicum. The plumbing instruction provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain an entry level plumbing job in either the residential or commercial areas. Training is provided utilizing numerous types of tools that will be encountered in the plumbing industry. The course allows the student hands-on experience in using PVC, copper, steel, and Pex pipe and fittings. Maximum enrollment is 10. As of this date, all slots are filled.
Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC-3): This is a two course class totaling three credit hours, which includes instruction in Introduction to Computers and Computer Concepts and Applications. These two courses provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the Certiport IC-3 certification examination. Maximum enrollment is 10. As of this date, all slots are filled
GED Instruction/Testing: Will provide GED instruction and preparation throughout a 40 hour workweek. Thirty students will be enrolled in this program.
Work Ready Instruction/Testing: Provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the Work Ready certification examination. These courses include: reading, locating information, and mathematics.
Mental Health
ECF’s mental health therapy program provides a variety of services, which include but are not limited to: mental health group counseling, intensive groups, individual counseling, psychiatric intervention, crisis intervention, psychological evaluations, activity therapy, discharge planning, tele-psychiatry to assist in the management of inmates on psychotropic drugs and on-call services.
In addition, mental health professionals provide staff instruction on the assessment and management of the inmate population. The mental health department’s overall goal is to provide services that encourage and assist the inmate in making positive changes and meeting his individual needs.
Inmate Responsibility and Accountability Model (RAM) Training
Inmate Responsibility and Accountability Model (RAM) training was initiated in January 1997. While the focus of the program continues to be the Ten Principles of RAM, behavior cycle, errors in thinking, thinking reports, and problem resolution techniques, it has been re-configured as a therapeutic group for the inmate and targets those who have successfully completed a previous group. The group meets once a week for 24 weeks.
The desired result of this training is that the participants will utilize the tools in their daily life. They can also apply the tools when they are released, strengthening their ability to remain on post-release supervision and deter recidivism.
Religion
The goal and objective of Chaplaincy Services is to assist the inmates in achieving individual spiritual growth.
ECF utilizes numerous volunteers who conduct religious services and bible studies. Services are held weekly for Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Moorish Science Temple of America, Jehovah Witness, United Tribes, Wicca, Buddhist, Assembly of Yahweh, Latter Day Saints, Judaism, Rastafarian and Asatru studies for inmates wishing to attend. A Native American Sweat Lodge ceremony is held on the third Sunday of each month and a pow wow is held quarterly. A variety of counseling services are available, including marriage, crisis, family, individual sessions and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.
To further support this mission, a free-standing Spiritual Life Center (SLC) has been constructed at ECF. The total cumulative cost of this capital improvement funding project was approximately $361,000. This project was accomplished primarily through the efforts of volunteers and facility staff using inmate labor. Project funding came exclusively from donations received from churches, individuals, corporations and grants from private foundations.
Central Kansas Reentry Program (CKRP)
Statistics indicate that approximately 98 percent of adult inmates will be released to their home communities to once again be your neighbors/co-workers. The primary task of the CKRP is to ensure they receive the knowledge available that will improve their probability of a successful return to society. The program utilizes partnerships with corrections agencies, law enforcement, victim services, mental health services, medical health providers, political and community representatives, employers and employment agencies, landlords, housing authorities and faith-based organizations.
CKRP’s target population consists of inmates who are assessed with high risks and needs in specific areas of their lives, are releasing to the Central Kansas area within a 90-minute radius of the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and who are within 12-14 months from their scheduled release. Once assessed for needs in their high risk-to-reoffend areas, these individuals are referred to groups, classes and workshops designed around their case management plan to target their specific needs. The primary areas of focus include but are not limited to:
Pro-social supports are also a highlight of CKRP. Families are invited to attend quarterly family workshops in the community to speak with Reentry and Parole Staff regarding release planning and community transitions.
Providing community supports to individuals assures the best chance for their success. Reentry staff will continue working with the individual and their parole supervisor post-release offering services and mediation as needed until societal stability is achieved and the individual advances through the commencement process.
Bicycle Refurbishing Program
Established in July 1999, the Bicycle Repair and Refurbishing Program employs 12 inmates. Inmates repair and refurbish bicycles for donation to less fortunate individuals in Kansas communities and throughout the United States. The bicycle parts and materials are obtained through donations by individuals, law enforcement agencies, and civic organizations. As of this date, over 10,200 bicycles have been distributed to those in need.
Recreation
Inmates incarcerated at ECF may participate in recreational or leisure time activities depending upon their physical ability, fitness and acceptable behavior.
The program targets physical and mental fitness, promotes productive leisure time, and includes intramural, social and cultural programming in addition to special events. The gym and yard are open seven days a week for inmate use.
Community Access Network (CAN), Inc.
Implemented at ECF in July 2003, the Community Access Network (CAN), Inc., project is a not-for-profit collaborative initiative comprised of representatives from various Kansas government organizations and community partners. The purpose of CAN is to develop an online resource to promote social issues, identify available services, and provide community statistics surrounding social issues and services. CAN and KDOC representatives signed a memorandum of agreement in December 2002 in order to partner this project. ECF developed a data entry team of two inmates to ensure the data is kept accurate and complete and a Senior Community Service Employment Program (SER/SCSEP) employee verifies records to make sure they are current. For more information, visit www.cankansas.net.
Wheels for the World
Wheels for the World (WftW) was established in 1993 as an outreach program for Joni and Friends Ministries. Used wheelchairs are collected through wheelchair drives and by a group of Chair Corp Representatives all across the United States. The wheelchairs are then sent to restoration centers located in correctional facilities throughout the nation. The ministry then supplies the previously owned serviceable wheelchairs to people around the world in countries where mobility equipment is considered a luxury.
At ECF, WftW shares space with the bicycle program in a 5,000-square-foot building in the industrial yard. Begun on January 6, 2003, the program currently employs 14 inmates. The estimated start up cost for the program was $3,000 and was donated by the Presbytery of Northern Kansas.
ECF’s program is recognized as a showcase facility for the WftW program which was also instrumental in manufacturing universal footrests that are shipped to other distribution centers. Additionally, the program produced a new all-terrain attachment which allows individuals in various areas of the world to maneuver a wheelchair in rough terrain. Oftentimes, ECF WftW supervisors are called upon to lend their support in training and technical advice to setup similar programs in other states and countries. Recently, the WftW program sent wheelchairs to hurricane victims in the Louisiana area. Since the program’s inception, as of this date, over 6,900 wheelchairs have been supplied to third world countries.
WftW at Ellsworth contracts with Personal Energy Transportation Kansas from Moundridge, Kansas, to build parts for a hand-cranked cart made for those who lost the use of their legs due to polio, landmine injuries, amputation, etc. The parts are sent to many of the same countries as the WftW program’s wheelchairs.
Medical Services
ECF contracts for medical services (medical, dental and mental health) through Correct Care Solutions. A successful National Commission on Correctional Health Care Reaccreditation Audit was conducted on site in January 2008.
ECF medical/clinical services encompass many areas of inmate medical needs. In addition to the 24-hour nursing care that is available, a physician is on site 20 hours per week and a dentist is on site 30 hours each week.
Services include medical screenings and physical exams, both with subjective and objective data gathering; dental exams and prophylaxis with treatment that include oral surgery and limited prosthetics; optometry needs for prescribing and fitting of eye wear; ancillary services for laboratory values and x-rays; referral entities for specialty needs of brace/limb prosthetics; orthopedic consultations and surgeries; neurosurgical and neurological consultations; ophthalmological consultations for general surgical conditions; general medical diagnosis and treatments; internal medicine diagnosis and treatments; and other specialty referrals subject to approval of the state medical director. The chronic care clinic currently provides services in the following areas: pulmonary, hypertension, diabetic, cardiac, epileptic, positive HIV, TB prophylaxis, past positive TB prophylaxis and hyperthyroidism.
Library
The ECF inmate library provides recreational, educational, legal and other information resources contributing to the development of the inmates in their physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual well-being, while keeping in focus safety and security.
The library has approximately 12,000 books, receives about 30 newspapers and magazines and provides reference collection of encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories and other ready reference books. The collection is supplemented by an efficient, state-wide inter-library loan service. The library uses a computerized system for circulation of books. A database of the holdings is accessed using a dedicated local network.
Inmates are provided access to all the legal documents, cases, statutes, administrative rules and case notes through the computerized LexisNexis system. The library also provides photocopying services and typewriters for inmates doing legal work.
Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services (CARES), Inc.
ECF established a partnership with CARES, Inc., in 1999. Dogs are assigned to inmate handlers for a three to six month period. The program priorities are to teach the puppies basic obedience and socialization skills. Upon release from ECF, the puppies are returned to CARES to learn specialized skills. Once these skills are mastered, the dogs are placed with individuals who have a variety of challenges (physical, mental or emotional). They provide assistance, support and companionship to their new master. The dogs, as well as the recipients, receive training prior to placement.
Work Programs
ECF’s policy is to provide inmates with a variety of meaningful work/program assignments patterned after a typical workday in the community.
Assignments are designed to encourage inmates to develop desirable work habits and skills while engaging in work projects for ECF and the State of Kansas. In FY 2011, ECF inmates provided 80,946 hours of labor to various community projects including the City of Ellsworth, City of Kanopolis, Kansas Department of Transportation, Wheels for the World, Bicycle Refurbishing Program, CARES Dog Program, Kanopolis State Park, Wilson State Park, Lions Club Eye Glasses Project, Kansas Wildlife & Parks Cabin Project, Precious Pals Preschool, Mosaic, Ellsworth County Recycling, Ellsworth Childcare Center, Ellsworth County Medical Center, Ellsworth High School Alumni, Crime Stoppers, Ellsworth Vacation Bible School, and the American Legion.
An inmate employment assessment and job assignment program has been established at ECF which is utilized to ensure inmates are assigned jobs commensurate with their technical skills and to encourage inmates to possess positive behavioral characteristics. In addition, inmates are assigned to work crews to obtain on-the-job training which allows them to develop their work skills and assist them with reintegration into society.
A “books on tape” program supplies text books on tape to facilitate the learning process for students.