2017 News Releases
Governor Brownback, KDOC announce increased pay for state’s correctional officers under new pay plan
Governor Sam Brownback was joined by Corrections Secretary Joe Norwood at El Dorado Correctional Facility today to announce changes to the Kansas Department of Corrections’ pay structure to address correctional officer retention and increase recruitment of new candidates.
FY 2017 KDOC Annual Report Released
An in-depth look at current trends and changes within the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) is now available on the agency's website.
KDOC Presents Plan for Reconstruction of Lansing Correctional Facility
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) today presented plans to the legislature’s Joint Committee on State Building Construction on the proposal to replace the state’s 150-year-old correctional facility in Lansing.
KDOC Travels the State to Celebrate Reentry Week
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) celebrated Reentry Week July 10-14 with open house events, culminating with concerts by country music artist Mark Collie.
KDOC to Observe Reentry Week 2017: Country music celebrity Mark Collie to help celebrate reentry services, perform for offenders
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) will celebrate Reentry Week July 10-14, 2017. Events will be held across the state, in facilities and parole offices, to spotlight the evidence based work done by staff, contract providers, volunteers, mentors, and community partners, which has led to a reduction in recidivism (returns to prison) in Kansas from over 55% to 35%.
KDOC’s Juvenile Services Reform Generating Reinvestment Funds
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced today that improvements to the juvenile justice system, based upon reforms enacted in 2016 with Senate Bill 367, generated $12.3 million in FY17 for reinvestment in evidence-based programs for juveniles.
KDOC, Gov. Brownback Recognize 2016 Employees and Volunteers of the Year
Fifty-three individuals were honored by the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) June 14 in Topeka, for having been named employees and volunteers of the year for 2016.
Kansas Takes a Leading Role in Fight Against Opioid Use Among the Justice-Involved
Lt. Gov. Dr. Colyer, state agencies selected to participate in nationwide study of best practices
Larned prison adopts new mission preparing young offenders for reentry
Mental health services to move to El Dorado Correctional Facility
Topeka Correctional Facility to Hold Annual Plant Sale
Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) will host a plant sale between May 8 and May 13 on the front grounds of the facility. The sale will feature annuals, perennials, herbs, grasses and vegetable plants cultivated by the residents of the all-female facility.
KDOC’s Topeka Parole Office moving to location near Kansas Expocentre
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) will move its Topeka-area parole operations to a new office located at 2029 S.W. Western St., Topeka, on May 8.
Resignation of Juvenile Services Director Offers Chance for Reflection
Staff of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) gathered on April 27 to bid farewell to Terri Williams, Deputy Secretary of Juvenile Services. KDOC Secretary Joe Norwood, previous secretary Ray Roberts and numerous others thanked Williams for her direction of juvenile services for the past five years.
Juvenile Services Deputy Secretary Terri Williams to take new position outside KDOC
Randy Bowman, Juvenile Services Director of Community Based Services, will assume the role vacated by Williams, based on approval from the Governor’s Office.
Drill Simulates Hostage Situation at El Dorado Correctional Facility
An exercise at El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) saw Kansas Army National Guard (KSARNG) helicopters landing at the facility and corrections officers acting out a hostage situation at the facility Wednesday.
KDOC Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 2-8
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), in commemoration of Kansas Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 2-8, 2017, will present programs for correctional staff and inmates illustrating how victim-centered practices benefit victims and inmates.
Staff Say Farewell at Closing of Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility
Staff of Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility (LJCF) said goodbye as the doors of the facility were permanently closed Friday, March 3. The facility capable of housing 128 male youth stood empty that afternoon.
Kansas Prisoner Review Board Will Not Hold Public Comment Session in April
The Kansas Prisoner Review Board (PRB) will combine public comment sessions for offenders eligible for parole in May and June during its March public comment sessions. No public comment sessions will be held in April.
KDOC Celebrates Launch of Therapy Program for Juvenile Offenders
On Thursday in Garden City, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) celebrated EmberHope for providing a program of therapy and supervision as an alternative to removing youth from their homes or incarcerating them.
KDOC Celebrates Launch of Therapy Program for Juvenile Offenders in Salina
Gov. Sam Brownback and the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) celebrated Cornerstones of Care Wednesday in Salina for providing a program of therapy and supervision as an alternative to removing youth from their homes or incarcerating them.
KDOC Plans for New Construction at Lansing Correctional Facility
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) has announced it will explore options for constructing a new facility at the Lansing Correctional Facility site to use in place of the current structures, which were built in the 1860s. The facility has housed offenders since 1863.
KDOC Launching Juvenile Justice Initiative Statewide
At-home juvenile treatment program expanding to improve outcomes for juvenile offenders
KDOC-trained Horses to March in Inauguration Parade
Wild mustangs trained at Hutchinson Correctional Facility and now part of the Fort Riley Color Guard will march in the presidential inaugural parade in Washington D.C. Friday.
Art Exhibit From Kansas Correctional Facilities Comes To Mulvane Art Museum
A photography exhibit featuring portraits of offenders and images of life inside Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) facilities opens today at Washburn University’s Mulvane Art Museum, 17th Street and Jewell Avenue. The exhibit runs through April 1.
Senate Confirms Joe Norwood as Corrections Secretary
Joe Norwood, nominee for the position of Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections, was confirmed unanimously by the Kansas Senate Tuesday, January 17.
Paul Snyder named Warden for El Dorado Correctional Facility
Paul Snyder, a 25-year veteran of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), will take the helm as warden of El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF), Corrections Secretary Joe Norwood announced Monday.
KDOC kicks off reconstruction of Lansing Correctional Facility
Governor Jeff Colyer joined Corrections Secretary Joe Norwood today along with state and local officials to launch the reconstruction of Lansing Correctional Facility, the state’s oldest and largest correctional facility.
Norton Correctional Facility Announces Retirement of Warden Shelton
Norton Correctional Facility (NCF) Warden Jay L. Shelton will retire on Dec. 1 after 25 years as the warden of the facility to take the position of administrator of a retirement home in Norton.
Milner named new Director of Community Based Services for juvenile division
Kansas Department of Corrections Deputy Secretary of Juvenile Services Randy Bowman announced today that Megan Milner will become the agency’s new Director of Community Based Services.
TCF celebrates education participants' pursuit of a dream
No one dreams of being incarcerated, Jay Hertel pointed out at a celebration of educational achievement at Topeka Correctional Facility on Nov. 16. But dreams aren’t constrained by the setting.
