ARCHIVED: 2017 News Stories
KDOC presents plan to rebuild prison to budget committee
Kansas Secretary of Corrections Joe Norwood today presented a proposal to rebuild Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) to the Legislative Budget Committee. This presentation is the latest in a series related to the construction project at LCF, as the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) seeks legislative approval of the project.
KDOC joins in fight against Human Trafficking
KDOC Secretary Joe Norwood joined leaders from the Attorney General's office and three other state agencies to witness Gov. Sam Brownback's official proclamation designating January as Human Trafficking Month.
Remembrance Receptions honor victims of homicide
As a way to help them remember and celebrate lost loved ones, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and victim service providers met with family and friends of homicide victims at four remembrance receptions this month, in Wichita, Kansas City, Topeka, and for the first time, in Garden City.
Joel Hrabe Named Warden of Norton Correctional Facility
Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Joe Norwood announced today that Joel Hrabe has been named warden of the Norton Correctional Facility (NCF).
Agency mourns loss of volunteers at LCF
The Kansas Department of Corrections sends it condolences to the families of Gerald Baxter of Clay Center and Carla Rene Polson of Blue Rapids who were killed in a vehicle accident while en route to serve as volunteers at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) Friday.
Governor Brownback applauds workforce specialists who assist offenders
Governor Sam Brownback shared his appreciation for Kansans who help offenders gain employment at a training program for workforce specialists on Nov. 8 at the State Capitol.
Barton Community College celebrates learning at ECF
Barton Community College held its annual Learning Celebration for 2017 at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility (ECF) Spiritual Life Center on Thursday, November 2.
VOICES OF REENTRY It’s Never Too Late for Change
Topeka Correctional Facility's reentry efforts are highlighted in Voices of Reentry, a published series of profiles of people making good on second chances after they return from incarceration. Articles in the series tell individual stories to highlight the impact of programs funded under federal Improved Reentry Education grants. Published October 2017.
Film About Holocaust Survivor Features Lansing Correctional Facility, Reaching Out From Within Program
A video segment filmed at Lansing Correctional Facility is featured prominently in a documentary that will be released in theaters in select cities this fall, including Kansas City.
Pittsburg Parole Office Employee Receives Pin for 40 Years of Service
Pittsburg resident Carolyn Grillot was honored at the Statehouse in Topeka on Friday, Sept. 22, for having served the State’s corrections agency for 40 years. Grillot has been employed in the Pittsburg Parole Office since 1977.
Winfield Correctional Facility Employee Receives Pin for 40 Years of Service
Winfield Correctional Facility (WCF) employee Pat Murphy was honored at the Statehouse in Topeka on Friday, Sept. 22, for having served the State for 40 years. Murphy has been employed, first at Winfield State Hospital and then at the correctional facility, since August 1976.
Kansas Correctional Industries Meets Needs of Kansas Businesses
Thirsty Coconut, a family-owned producer of healthy drinks based in Louisburg, needed assistance with their beverage dispensing machines, and had nowhere in Kansas to turn to for help, until they found KCI.
Holocaust survivor shares experiences with women of TCF
Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski inspired a group of female offenders at Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) Thursday, Sept. 14, with stories of her life and encouraged them to forgive, put aside hatred, and strive to overcome their circumstances.
Batterer Intervention Program Summit examines how to do more for domestic violence survivors
KDOC staff take part in the 2017 Batterer Intervention Program Summit Wednesday in Topeka
KDOC Assists Offenders Reintegration into Communities
Reentry Week shines spotlight on programs that help offenders transition successfully
Three names to be added to the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial in May
The 35th Annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at noon, Friday, May 5, in the second floor rotunda at the Kansas State House. The ceremony will honor Kansas City Police Department Detective Brad Lancaster, Kansas City Police Department Captain Robert Melton and Johnson County Sheriff's Office Master Deputy Brandon Collins.
KDOC Staff Train to Help Offenders Transition by Offering a Helping Hand to the Needy
KDOC staff who work to help offenders transition back to life outside of prison gathered for two days of training in Wichita on March 30 and 31
KDOC Celebrates One Year of Therapy Program for Juvenile Offenders in Southeast Kansas
On Friday, Feb. 24, in Pittsburg, the Kansas Department of Corrections recognized Eckerd Kids for providing a program of therapy and supervision as an alternative to removing youth from their homes or incarcerating them.
Blues Singer Rita Chiarelli Performs with Women Inmate Choir
A short video filmed at Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) featuring a female inmate choir will be shown Friday, Feb. 17, at the Folk Alliance International Conference being held in Kansas City.
Former New York Inmate Turned Fitness Entrepreneur Films at Lansing
New York City-based workout expert Coss Marte uses sweat and pain to build character, as well as healthy bodies. He pushes his clients to use their own body weight and limited space to hone their physiques. He knows how to do this, because he once lost 70 pounds himself, doing exercises primarily in a prison cell.
Human Trafficking Expert Speaks to KDOC Staff
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) plays an integral part in the fight against human trafficking, according to an expert on the topic who addressed KDOC staff Tuesday in Topeka.
Governor Brownback Proclaims January 2017 Mentoring Month
Gov. Sam Brownback praised the mentoring program of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) as he proclaimed January 2017 as Mentoring Month.
KDOC Staff Member Receives National Award for Work with Other States in Supervising Offenders
Kansas Department of Corrections’ Deputy Compact Administrator Matt Billinger was honored at the Statehouse in Topeka on Friday, Nov. 3, for his oversight of offenders whose supervision crosses state lines.
