by
David Thompson
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published
Feb 12, 2026
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last modified
Feb 12, 2026 09:09 AM
Former Lansing Correctional Facility Resident, Aaron Smallwood, cites education and his faith as keys to his path toward redemption. He was released September 6, 2024 after serving 28 years in KDOC custody. During his incarceration, he earned a college degree from Donnelly College and became a mainstay with the Brothers In Blue Reentry program. Since his release, he has a fulltime job at Zephyr Products, a Private Industry partner with KDOC. Smallwood was invited to speak at the University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences Black History Month Celebration. He has written two books and told an audience of mostly KU Education students, faculty, and other supporters, that successful reentry is a slow process.
