News Stories
All Three Escapees from Lansing Correctional Facility are Apprehended
At 10:22 pm this evening, inmate Randy Ridens, Sr, was apprehended as he was entering Topeka, Kansas. He was immediately transported back to Lansing Correctional Facility. Earlier in the evening, Allen Hurst and Scott Gilbert, the other two minimum custody escapees from Lansing Correctional Facility, had been apprehended and taken into custody by law enforcement officers in Clinton County, Missouri.
KDOC names organization's award winners for 2013
Following a ceremony to honor the winners of several awards from each of the state's correctional facilities, Governor Sam Brownback named the agency's statewide winners.
Ellsworth Correctional Facility inmates show talent for theater
More than 130 people, mostly residents of the Ellsworth area, packed an auditorium recently for a dinner-theater performance of the comedy The Ransom of Red Chief. But they weren’t there to see some performance of a traveling drama troupe. Nor were they on hand to support members of the town in a community theater.
“New Challenges, New Solutions” the theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Several state organizations are teaming together to observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 21-27, 2013, as a time to honor crime victims and celebrate our nation’s progress in advancing their rights.
Topeka Correctional Facility, Washburn team up for women’s health fair
In a collaborative effort, Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF), Correct Care Solutions (CCS), and Washburn University students and faculty from the nursing and criminal justice departments presented an educational health fair to women at the prison facility on April 11.
Topeka Correctional Facility receives high marks from audit
Reviewers finds progress at women's facility.
Inmate artwork to be displayed in capitol building, featured on April art walk
A collection of artwork created by adult and juvenile offenders in Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) and Juvenile Justice Authority (JJA) facilities will be displayed on the first floor of the capitol building April 5-12.
KDOC staff to take part in Victims’ Rights Conference
Several KDOC staff members will participate in the Crime Victims’ Rights Conference in Wichita April 3 and 4, including four who will present a workshop specific to victim services.
Lansing mental health therapist uses positive psychology
Positive Psychology Group Therapy for Maximum Security Male Inmates: identifying, nurturing, and enhancing strengths and virtues
Governor proclaims April 21-27 Crime Victims' Rights Week
Governor Brownback met Friday, March 22, 2013, with representatives of the Kansas victim services community, including KDOC Victims Services, to officially proclaim April 21-27 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Kansas.
KDOC Teams Lead the State at Midpoint of Weight-loss Challenge
The Department of Corrections is a bunch of losers.
JJA Lawrence Gardner High School Library receives 2013 Kansas Book Festival Grant
Kansas First Lady Mary Brownback announced Wednesday that Lawrence Gardner High School Library, located within the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex, won one of 11 Book Grants from the 2013 Kansas Book Festival Grants.
Corrections officer recovers from war injuries, returns to work at NCF
Norton Correctional Facility officer Jeffery Burton wasn't sure he'd ever return to work following injuries suffered in Iraq.
Corrections dental staff volunteer services in Wichita
Several dental staff of the Kansas Department of Corrections volunteered their expertise in a recent free clinic to provide dental care to needy Kansans.
Norton officer killed in automobile accident
Norton Corrections Officer Austin Shaw, 20, was killed in an accident in western Kansas March 6.
Justice Reinvestment meets House approval
The bipartisan Kansas Justice Reinvestment initiative, a research and data-driven program aimed at promoting public safety while reducing corrections spending, took one step closer to reality on March 1.
KJCC launches Environmental Water Technology training program
Youth in a Topeka juvenile correctional facility will soon begin training in a field that could net them attractive career options in the future.
Oswego unit provides options for housing elderly inmates
Governor Sam Brownback, along with about 180 guests, celebrated on Feb. 1 the opening of a specialized prison facility in Oswego, which will bring relief to system overcrowding, provide needed services to aging inmates, and give an economic boost to the southeast Kansas corridor.
Report outlines recommendations to increase public safety and save taxpayer dollars
Gov. Sam Brownback and Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts, along with experts from the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, announced the release of a final report on the Kansas Justice Reinvestment Initiative today at a policy forum on public safety and corrections.
Governor Signs Order to Move Juvenile Justice Agency to Department of Corrections
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback took the first step Friday to reorganize the state’s juvenile justice system, putting into motion his plan to move the management of more than 1,500 juvenile offenders under the auspices of the state department of corrections.
Corrections Secretary Roberts names new acting warden at Lansing facility
Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts announced today that Deputy Warden Rex Pryor of the Lansing Correctional Facility will be promoted to the position of acting warden of the prison.
State sponsors study of disproportionate contact, incarceration of minorities in juvenile system
Data accumulated over a two year period revealed interesting trends in minority youth contact with law enforcement and in the detention of juveniles in Kansas – data that researchers are sharing with the general population across Kansas with the goal to “change the mentality of the system.”
National Mentoring Month celebrates the impact of mentors on former offenders
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) is recognizing National Mentoring Month by continuing the call for Kansans to provide crucial mentoring to inmates as they transition from incarceration.
Oswego officers will lay foundation for new unit
Twelve new corrections officers who will staff the new Southeast Unit of the El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) in Oswego were tasked with laying the foundation for the future of the facility at their graduation ceremony on Dec. 28, 2012.
Ellsworth program for disabled gets boost from inmates
Inmates from the Ellsworth Correctional Facility recently contributed to Mosaic, a program for the developmentally disabled, prompting one inmate to say, "This is the first time I've ever been able to give a helping hand." The article appears courtesy of the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter.
Topeka Parole Office helps animal rescue project
Christmas can be a lonely time for anyone separated from loved ones, even if that someone is a Great Dane, Golden Retriever or Poodle. Life’s challenges for humans can leave pets in a desperate spot. But one local animal rescue service is teaming up with the Topeka Parole Office to make sure dogs in the area are taken care of this holiday season.
Governor addresses graduates of JJA high school program
Looking toward a brighter future for juvenile services in the state, Governor Sam Brownback celebrated the accomplishments of 15 students Friday who were graduating from Lawrence Gardner High School.
Governor proposes merging KDOC and JJA
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announced today he will propose an executive reorganization order during the 2013 Kansas Legislative session to merge the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority (JJA) with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).
Transportation available for visits to Kansas prisons from KC
Family United Transportation Service, a Kansas-City based company, can help family and friends of inmates visit several Kansas prisons. The company offers periodic transportation in the hopes of helping families through the challenge of incarceration. Please click below to see more information for Family United Transportation.
FY 2012 KDOC Annual Report
We are pleased to have published the FY 2012 KDOC Annual Report. The report indicates the successes and highlights of the agency over the Fiscal Year of 2012 (July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012). We hope that you enjoy reading about the KDOC’s accomplishments and milestones.
Governor meets with prisoners about Mentoring4Success program
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback met with prisoners and their mentors Thursday morning at the Lansing Correctional Facility to learn about their experience in the state’s Mentoring4Success program. The mentors/mentees are part of the non-profit Brothers in Blue Re-Entry program (BIB) at the state prison.
East Hill Singers Seize the Day
The East Hill Singers, a chorus comprised of inmates from Lansing Correctional Facility and volunteer singers from the Kansas City area, took to the road for their annual tour of performances in and around Kansas City. The group performs several times a year as an effort to incorporate the arts in the rehabilitation process. The Seize the Day collection of songs performed this year includes the crowd-favorite "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," which can be viewed here.
Governor's Office Seeks Intern Candidates
The Governor’s Office Internship Program is seeking motivated students for a hands-on experience in the Kansas Department of Corrections, or in several other areas of state government. Your chance to learn the inner workings of state government and to contribute to growing and improving the State of Kansas begins here.
Victim Services Staff Headed to Niagara Falls
October 2011 - Kansas Department of Corrections' Office of Victim Services staff have received two $1,000 professional development scholarships to attend the 2011 Conference & Summit on Victim-Offender Dialogue in Niagara Falls.
KDOC housing re-entry initiative in Wyandotte County earns honors at state conference
The Wyandotte County Offender Reentry Treatment and Housing Initiative (WORTHI) recently received the 2011 Ad Astra Award during the 6th Annual Kansas Housing Conference held in Wichita. The conference recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in developing affordable housing, shaping housing policy and creating innovative housing solutions to meet the needs of low and moderate-income Kansans.
Kansas Prison Nurses are Among the Nation's Best Trained
October 2011 - Nurses at Kansas' eight state prisons are among the first in the nation to earn certification for correctional nursing.
KDOC Receives Nearly $600,000 Federal Grant to Further PREA Efforts
October 2011 - The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs awarded $599,862 to the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) to support the KDOC in preventing, detecting and responding to sexual victimization.
Cabins in Kansas Offer More than Just Lodging
The Kansas Department of Corrections is giving their inmates a unique opportunity to put their time to productive use. At the Norton, Hutchinson, and Ellsworth Correctional Facilities, inmates may participate in a program that provides them with valuable technical training in the constructions crafts, as well as providing lodging for visitors to Kansas state parks.
Cabins in Kansas Offer More than Just Lodging (PDF Format)
The following is the article as it appears in the Fall 2011 edition of The Cornerstone, a quarterly publication produced by The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), a not-for-profit education foundation created to develop industry-driven standardized craft training programs with portable credentials and help address the critical workforce shortage facing the construction industry.
KDOT Intercity Bus Study
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is studying ways to improve long-distance travel options in Kansas, specifically what is known as “Intercity Bus” - carriers such as Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Prestige Bus Lines, etc. Please spend a few minutes completing this survey to help KDOT better serve the citizens of Kansas.
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NCVRW Courage Walk/Rally Commercial
See attached commercial promoting National Crime Victims' Rights Week events:
Registration Open for 2013 KCJIS Conference
This year's Kansas Criminal Justice Information System (KCJIS) Conference will be held June 2 – 4, 2013 at the Ramada Inn Conference Center, 420 SE 6th Street, in Topeka.
