Over the past few decades, the United States has witnessed a significant increase in the prison population on both the federal and state level. The State of Kansas is no exception. Since 1995, the average daily population in our prisons has increased by roughly 2,000 inmates. The vast majority of these inmates will be released from prison at some point and without adequate services to assist in successfully reintegrating into society many offenders are likely to re-offend. The Kansas Department of Corrections takes a proactive approach to preparing offenders for release into the community in order to increase their chances of living the remainder of their lives crime-free. Beginning in our correctional facilities, we thoroughly assess each inmate's needs in terms of treatment, education and vocational training, and develop case plans to ensure that inmates receive the programming they need while incarcerated. We begin preparing inmates for release more than a year in advance by working with facility case managers, parole officers and offenders' families. Additionally, the Department has implemented comprehensive community programs to provide high-risk offenders with the treatment, housing, employment and supervision they need to maintain a crime-free lifestyle.

In collaboration with other state agencies and community groups, the Kansas Department of Corrections has made tremendous gains in creating a state-wide framework for successful community reintegration for offenders. Looking to the future, the Department has established seven major goals to build upon our accomplishments. They are:

1. Increase offenders’ abilities and motivations to practice responsible crime-free behaviors through correctional management consistent with the research driven principles of effective intervention.
2. Improve the safety and security of correctional facilities by incorporating the principles of effective risk management.
3. Manage offenders in the community using risk reduction strategies that assist them in acquiring pro-social behaviors and ultimately achieve successful reintegration.
4. Recruit and retain the quality workforce needed to provide effective services.
5. Become a Department in which we all function as a single team.
6. Manage accurate, timely and complete information.
7. Serve as a liaison and service provider for crime victims.

The Department's Fiscal Year 2009 Strategic Action Plan includes goals, objectives and strategies designed to improve our ability to manage offenders safely and effectively. This includes increasing programming capacity, improving the speed and accuracy of information-sharing, expanding services for victims and families, and building community partnerships. Our Strategic Action Plan serves to further our vision of "A Safer Kansas Through Effective Correctional Services".