Paul Snyder                         Gary Wilson
  Deputy Warden of Programs    Classification Administrator

Program Division
The Deputy Warden of Programs provides oversight for risk reduction, reentry and case management initiatives at the El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF). The program division ensures effective programming is offered to provide rehabilitative treatment to assist inmates for return to society.

EDCF has embraced the opportunity to help make communities safer by offering a variety of inmate rehabilitation programs designed to assist inmates in preparing themselves for eventual return to society. These programs include academic and vocational education, cognitive skills, self-help groups and mental health services. Programs to enhance work ethics, relapse prevention and goal setting are also available. 

Within the program division, unit teams manage the inmate population assigned to each housing unit. Each unit team consists of a Unit Team Manager, who is responsible for the day to day operating of the housing unit. Uniformed staff and corrections counselors are also part of each unit team. The purpose of unit team is to decentralize programs and operations in order to provide more individual attention to the inmate population and to respond to the needs of individual offenders. This does much to maintain a safe and secure environment for inmates to carry out their rehabilitation programs.

Throughout the process of inmate change, the objective is to integrate the basic functions of programs and security because no programming can be successful without a foundation of safety and security. An individualized treatment program is developed, implemented and maintained for each inmate by unit team staff. The unit teams provide services to inmates in the form of work assignments, progress reviews, attitudinal and adjustment counseling, release counseling and other matters. For unit teams, release planning for all inmates is vital to an inmate’s successful transition into society. An inmate employment assessment and job assignment program is utilized to ensure inmates are assigned jobs commensurate with their technical skills. Inmates are also assigned to work crews to obtain on-the-job training which allows them to develop work skills and assist them with reintegration into society. The records office is responsible for providing clerical support for the unit teams and for updating records of inmates received, processed and transferred into and from EDCF.

Contract services, including medical, mental health and education programs are overseen by the Deputy Warden of Programs.

Correct Care Solutions
Correct Care Solutions is a contract vendor who provides medical, mental health and dental services to the inmate population.  A full range of medical professionals administer care at acute as well as chronic levels. On average, 280 physicals are completed monthly for segregation, general population and for new admissions through the Reception and Diagnostic Unit.  Approximately 313 inmates are seen monthly by the physicians and nurse practitioners for chronic care diseases.  Daily rounds are made by medical staff in the segregation units. Segregation inmates are escorted to the clinic/infirmary if additional acute care/infirmary admission is needed.  There are a total of approximately 1307 general population, reception and diagnostic unit, and segregation sick-call visits per month. The dental staff on average sees a total average of 529 segregation/population, reception and diagnostic unit, and general population inmates per month.  EDCF has a 26 bed infirmary caring for acute as well as sheltered housing    inmates. All male chemotherapy treatments are administered at EDCF.  EDCF employs the only Certified Oncology Nurse in Kansas corrections.  This past year 139 doses of chemotherapy were administered with a success rate of 90% compared to 70% in the community.  EDCF has a highly advanced hospice program utilizing trained inmate volunteers and the only dedicated hospice dog in Kansas.

 Mental Health Services
On average, the Mental Health staff provides 1361 contacts with segregation inmates and participates in 274 segregation inmate review boards on a monthly basis.  Each month, mental health professionals have contact with inmates as follows:  99 special needs contacts, 42 individual therapy contacts, 291 group therapy contacts, and 74 crisis placement contacts per month.  Approximately 6 Clinical Service Reports (CSR's) were completed per month for the Kansas Parole Board, to process Civil Commitments for sexually violent predators, or for determining appropriate inmate custody levels.  The staff psychiatrist averages 277 contacts per month for psychotropic medication, diagnostic, and crisis management.  The Mental Health activity therapists provide approximately 497 individual and 291 group inmate contacts per month providing positive reading material and various craft supplies and life skills development projects.  Approximately 12 percent of the inmate population at EDCF require a minimum of monthly contact with mental health services due to their mental illnesses.  This includes psychotropic medication management, as well as therapeutic services.

In February 2007, the Mental Health department started a new program entitled Human Development.  This group was created by two former segregation inmates.  They compiled a curriculum, which was approved by Mental Health.  The program is 9 weeks and is offered to general population inmates who are attempting to improve self and associate with peers, who are also focused on positive change.  The EDCF Human Development Program was designed to further address the cognitive and social needs of long term segregated inmates while redirecting those inmates that are approaching long term segregation.  During this learning process inmates naturally exhibit less problematic behaviors during their incarceration, thus reducing the requirement for expensive segregation housing and other disciplinary infractions.  The curriculum was designed to redefine the principles that apply to normal day society that get somewhat distorted in a prison environment.  The Human Development Program runs concurrent with the Intensive Supervision Program adding the element of inmates keeping other inmates responsible for their actions.  The motivation of this program is influenced by the teaching of other inmates rather than by staff.  By this, we are able to allow inmates to speak openly and vent frustrations or beliefs.  Students can learn from inmates who have shared the same life experiences as they have giving them a better understanding of the knowledge and awareness to change.  This program has 3 steps in which inmates must transition through.  The curriculum reading and discussion materials address consequences of behaviors, cognitive thinking skills, moral standards, and behavior modification.  If in the course of this program an inmate violates his intensive supervision, the inmate will be removed from participation of all general population programs and returned to long term segregation.  Inmates that are successful will be considered for placement at another suitable facility.  This transfer is the inmate's final assessment to determine if he is capable of independant living with what has been applied.  This allows the inmate to structure his life so that he can be successful wherever he is at.  EDCF will continue to record and monitor the success of these participants to conclude how successful it has been.  In October 2008, the Human Development program was suspended at EDCF due to security concerns.  A formal implementation manual was developed to address the security issues, and the program was re-implemented in August 2010.  Currently, there is a Human Development group being conducted for general population inmates.  Additionally, there are approximately 6 inmates in segregation currently enrolled in the program.

Mental Health Services also provides a range of group and individual therapy processes to inmates in general population and segregation at EDCF.  Those therapy processes include groups for gardening, meditation, anxiety management, anger management, cognitive skills, communications, recovery, and symptom management.

ACADEMIC/VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Academic and Vocational programming are provided by Southeast Kansas Educational Center.  Due to budget cuts, El Dorado Correctional Facility has a half-time GED Instructor 5 afternoons a week. Separate GED Examiner duties include testing general population students and inmates in administrative segregation units.  GED testing is also offered to RDU inmates who were ready to test before they entered the system.  The vocational portion of the contract provides for one full-time (5 days) masonry instructor.  Vocational instruction in masonry is offered to general population students 4 days a week.  In FY11 there were 27 GED and 12 Masonry graduates.  The only vocational program Greenbush offers is the Masonry Program.   Inmates who qualify for the program must have finished their GED, and have at least 12 to 18 months to their release date.  On Dec. 29, 2010, due to funding, we lost the life skills instructor who worked with employment skills, resumes, job applications, assist with NCCR curriculum and testing, and taught remedial reading and math skills.  In addition, there are 21 inmates assigned to the vocational food service program entitled Inmate to Workmate.  The instruction and certification is provided by Aramark, who hopes to expand the program in the future.

There are two half-time staff who administer TABE Reading tests and an IQ test to those inmates entering RDU. 

The Segregation Education Program at EDCF consists of 8 students, each with a computer in his cell.  Currently there are 4 cells in ACH and 4 in BCH.  The program is self paced and allows students 24 hour a day access.  The progress, time usage, and subject matter are monitored by an instructor via a computer remote.  The computer remote allows an instructor to send messages to each individual student.  Each cell computer uses a rubberized keyboard, a mouse, monitor, and Thin Client CPU.  The monitor is placed in a welded case which is mounted on the wall, with a Lexan glass front. 

NON-CONTRACTED PROGRAMS

FACILITY/PAROLE INTERACTION
Facility/parole interaction meetings convene on a monthly basis for parole and facility staff to make presentations to inmates who will be releasing in 30 to 60 days. Discussions occur surrounding the 12 standard conditions of parole to dispel common myths and beliefs about post release supervision. In Phase 2, conference calls occur between inmates, facility staff (IPO, Unit Manager, Counselor, Release Planner, etc.) inmate family members or home plan sponsor and other appropriate participants.

SKIP
The Kansas Strengthening Kids of Incarcerated Parents (KS-SKIP) program is a model program designed to connect incarcerated parents to their children prior to release from prison. The initial phase of the KS-SKIP program is a 13-week parenting class that focuses on increasing the father's understanding of their role as a parent, in spite of incarceration. The goal of the class is to strengthen the father-child relationship prior to release and in particular to prepare fathers to reconnect with their child/children. Classes are co-facilitated by a male/female team of KDOC staff. The parenting class portion of the program is designed to serve 10-15 incarcerated fathers who are current inmates. The second phase is Play and Learn groups. Play and Learn groups are mobile preschool environments where parents and children gather to play and learn together under the supervision of trained facilitators. Each week for 8-12 weeks, fathers turn an adult space into a playgroup environment for their children. Facilitators help fathers set up several activity areas with play dough, art materials, games, puppets, interactive toys, and a quiet reading area. When children arrive at the facility, fathers become the primary caregiver for that hour and a half session. KS-SKIP Play and Learn group provides fathers the opportunity to reconnect with their children and to practice newly learned skills and knowledge in a safe and supportive manner. The third phase of the program includes support to the caregivers. Concurrent to the Play and Learn group a support group will be offered for the caregivers of the children. These groups will instruct the caregivers as to the work the fathers are doing in both the parenting class and the Play and Learn session. It will also provide support and guidance to caregivers who may be struggling with raising their children in the community. 

On June 2, 2009, EDCF began their first session of the SKIP parenting class. A Play and Learn and Caregivers portion began on July 7, 2009. The final day for all three portions was August 25, 2009. Nineteen inmates volunteered to participate in the program. Out of the 19 inmates that began the class 13 completed. Eight inmate families readily agreed to participate in the Play and Learn and Caregivers portion of the program. A total of 21 children attended at least once. They ranged in age from babies to toddlers to pre-teens. They eagerly interacted with their dads during playtime. Nine caregivers attended at least once consisting of five mothers, three grandmothers, and one aunt. It was obvious relationships were enhanced between the father, children and the family members. This contributed to a realization that all parents need support in the important role as a child's first teacher, and those struggling to improve their lives while incarcerated need extra support and attention.

EDCF expected to begin another session in January 2010 which would be for inmates who feel that their children would be unable to attend Play and Learn for reasons such as distance or ages of the children. This session consists of the 12-week parenting class. In the spring, plans are underway to implement another full session which would include the children and caregivers.  The program is currently being updated with another group starting soon.

FLIP PROGRAM
The FLIP (Fundamental Lessons in Psychology) is presented as an independent study type program to segregation inmates. The FLIP program consists of various psychological topics including: anger management, anxiety, assertiveness, cognitive self-change, depression, general mental health, grief, loss and forgiveness, men’s issues/adjustment and self-esteem. The information is offered to inmates via licensed Mental Health Professional (MHP) in 5-7 week modules. Each of these modules assists the inmate with recognition of chronic maladaptive thought processes and defensive mechanisms, with simultaneous utilization of various cognitive behavioral interventions to further assist the inmate decrease and eliminate these ongoing patterns.

CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM
EDCF has two full time chaplains who facilitate, coordinate, and oversee religious programs for the Central Unit.  There are over 24 different groups facilitated by the Chaplain's office including Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, Asatru, Assembly of Yahweh, Buddhist, Church of Christ Study, House of Yahweh, Innerchange, Islamic Study, Jehovah's Witnessess, Jewish Study, Latter Day Saints, Mennonite Study, Moorish Science Temple, Native Americans, Pentecostal Worship, Non-Catholic Christian Study, Sunday Services, Rastafarian, Roman Catholic Study/Mass, Seventh Day Adventists, Spanish Speaking Bible Study and Wicca.  The Chaplain's office provides greeting cards and reading materials to inmates as they are provided by donations.  This office also provides premarital counseling, grief counseling, memorial services and emergency notification for families of inmates.  Additionally, counseling is provided for inmates with families, and counseling and assistance is provided to staff as needed and requested.  The chaplains coordinate volunteer services for approximately 250 volunteers, provide training to both volunteers and facility staff, and work with local community leaders and clergy, and lead worship services for inmates.

SPIRITUAL LIFE CENTER
The State of Kansas gave permission to construct a Spiritual Life Center at EDCF.  The project was accomplished primarily through the efforts of inmate labor, volunteers, and facility staff.  Project funding, furnishings, and equipment have come exclusively from donations received from individuals, corporations, or grants from foundations.  Space limitations at EDCF stifled ministry opportunities.  The Spiritual Life Center provides space to an increased number of inmates able to attend religious services along with support groups such as AA and Life Skills training.  The Spiritual Life Center is an 11,500 sq. foot structure designed to support the spiritual needs of inmates and opened in June 2010.  The building contains a large chapel area, a multi-purpose room, five classrooms, a library, two chaplain's offices, and a conference room.  Approximately 600 donors including individuals, foundations, businesses, and churches have given toward this project.  Many facility fundraisers have also played a part in the fund raising activity. 

TRANSITIONAL SEGREGATION PROGRAM (SEGREGATION TO SOCIETY) 
The purpose of STS is to provide long term segregation inmates a number of tools necessary for the transition to the community.  Inmates in this setting have been more restricted in their movement and access to others.  They have not been able to attend release and re-entry classes.  There is in-cell assignments conducted through handouts, workbooks, manuals, etc.  Instruction is provided directly to inmates by trained staff. 

The target inmate population for this program is inmates assigned to administrative segregation who have 12 to 16 months until release.  Candidates are screened further using risk areas of the LSI-R.  In response to the risk areas identified in the LSI-R, a curriculum was developed containing three separate blocks of instruction.

The first block of Life Skills and includes cognitive-based instruction ranging from Anger Management to Intro to Cognitive Self Change and the booklet, "Getting it Right."  The instructor will work with the participants in developing strong coping and communication skills in order to succeed once they are released.  Extra time and preparation may be required during this particular block depending on the current behavior and amount of time spent in segregation.

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM (BMP)
 The BMP is a program designed to deal with transitioning segregation inmates in a stratified behavior modification program based on increased steps of privileges for demonstrated appropriate behavior and program compliance.  The program is a 9-month program slowly integrating inmates in a 3-step process.  It is cognitive based elements include potions of Thinking for a Change, Motivation for Change, PAD (Positive Attitude Development), and Anger Management. Inmates assigned to the Behavior Modification Program shall be managed with a stratified behavior modification program; based on increased steps of privileges for demonstrated appropriate behavior and program compliance.  Inmates can only progress upwards one step at a time.

Step 1 consists of Positive Attitude Development program (9 weeks) and then they spend 3 weeks on Positive Communication Development. (To help prepare them for the program in Step 2). They will also have a choice to write a paper on “Self Actualization Empowers Me” and what this phrase means to them.

Step 2 is 12 weeks on Positive Communication Development and 12 weeks on Self Actualization. (Both of these groups are fairly intense and prompt a lot of thinking / self monitoring)

Step 3 the Offenders will participate in at least 2 general population groups per week. The programs are Road to Recovery, Life Skills, FLIP: Fundamental Lessons in Psychology, Meditation, Crochet, Communication. They are asked to evaluate their group participation weekly and share the information in bi-monthly individual therapy visits. In their individual therapy visits they will discuss the importance of a treatment plan goal.

Added to the program is an additional 3 months of monitoring under Intensive Supervision.  The program has proven to be successful for inmate completing the program.  Statistical information has demonstrated program success in providing the inmates who have completed the program and Intensive Supervision with the skills to remain in general population.

A total of 81 inmates have participated in the program.  To date, 48 inmates have completed both the Behavior Management Program and Intensive supervision.  Ten inmates have since returned to long-term administrative segregation.  A 59% success rate has been achieved by those inmates who complete the programming.  The Corrections Counselor II assigned to coordinate the program tracks the program’s success through the utilization of an access program, documented history, and follow up communications with the inmate’s counselor.

OFFENDER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (OWDS)
Offender Workforce Development Services (formally known as Job Readiness Training) was developed to help the offender in many areas, to address both internal and external barriers, assess the individuals interests and skills, developing a resume, how to complete an application, how to conduct a job search, proper phone etiquette, interview skills, how to discuss their felony conviction and how the Kansas Adult Supervised Population Electronic Repository (KASPER) can effect their job search. Specifically, there are three computers available where the offender can improve their basic computer skills while developing their own resume. Overall, OWDS helps to break down some of the barriers these individuals may face and better prepare them for employment in the community. In the last fiscal year, 19 out of 28 or 68 percent of the offenders (which includes SgCRP participants) receiving services from EDCF Re-Entry OWD classes completed the program.

The Segregation to Society program is a cognitive based transitional program which focuses on inmates assigned to administrative segregation who are releasing directly from segregation to the community.  It began January 1, 2002, and was very successful. Due to staff turnover, there was a hiatus in the program between 2005 and 2008, but it has now been operating since 2008.  As of April 2011, 10 of the last 14 STS participants have graduated and there are currently 6 inmates participating in the program.