June 19, 2014

Contact:
Communications Office
kdocpub@doc.ks.gov
(785) 215-2857

Staffing Conditions at Lansing Correctional Facility

Topeka -- Between the dates of Thursday, June 5, and Saturday, June 7, three incidents involving the battery of staff by an inmate – one on each calendar day – occurred at the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kan. 

These incidents were independent and unrelated events, involving a single inmate battering one or more staff members. None of the injuries to staff required hospitalization though, per agency policy, each of the injured staff members was examined by outside medical professionals. 

“Working as a trained correctional officer in any state correctional facility is challenging and difficult work, and carries the risks associated with a correctional facility,” said Secretary Ray Roberts. “We ask much of our correctional officers, and these dedicated men and women deliver great service toward protecting the safety of all Kansas each day. Harmful situations sometimes arise on the job though even one battery against staff is too many, and each incident is taken seriously by administration.” 

The hard work and dedication of Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) staff can be seen in the reduced rate of repeat offenders returning to prison over the past decade. All incidents against staff are reviewed and determinations are made to help prevent such acts in the future. These recent events are not the result of understaffing or budget constraints. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 uniformed staff in state adult correctional facilities, more than 200 juvenile corrections officers and more than 100 parole officers received a 7.5 percent salary increase. 

When staffing vacancies occur, KDOC utilizes overtime payments, as authorized by agency budget, to follow facility operational staffing plans and provide full staffing on each shift. As of Friday, June 13, there were a total of 1,993 uniformed positions within the state’s adult correctional facilities with 132 uniformed vacancies system-wide, representing an overall vacancy rate of 6.6 percent for the state’s adult correctional facilities. 

“During the 2013 legislative session, the budget passed by the legislature contained devastating cuts to corrections. Governor Brownback recognized the situation and vetoed the agency’s FY 2015 budget that contained the funding reductions. Without his leadership, the Department of Corrections would have been unable to provide safety to our staff. During the 2014 legislative session, the legislature passed a fully funded FY 2015 budget for the Department of Corrections,” said Secretary Roberts. “The KDOC has funding for staffing and its programs aimed at reducing the recidivism rate among offenders. We are always seeking qualified individuals to fill security vacancies in our facilities. We encourage all individuals who are interested in pursuing a meaningful career in public safety to give corrections serious consideration.” 

Vacancies are posted at the state jobs website: http://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/job/job-postings. 

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