The KLC leadership path teaches that leadership is an activity, not a position, and that anyone within an organization can be an effective leader. The first step is a two-day virtual or in-person training called “Your Leadership Edge.” Last year, 37 KDOC staff completed this training, and 38 staff are involved in the first step of training this year.
The next step is “Lead for Change.” Participants meet weekly for six weeks and training includes a deeper dive into the KLC leadership framework with skill building activities in the areas of the change process, confronting assumptions and personal feedback. The final step, “Equipped to Lead,” is a two-day training covering advanced leadership strategies and challenges participants to develop ways to apply what they have learned to their roles within KDOC.
To support those who have completed various levels of the training, KDOC staff coordinate monthly “Virtual Leadership Stretch” Zoom sessions. These sessions give staff a chance to reconnect, discuss ideas and receive feedback on their own leadership activities throughout the department.
In addition, Matthew Beyer, EDCF staff development manager, Greg Perez, TCF staff development manager, and Jessica Homolka, KDOC leadership and supervisory trainer, are completing one of KLC’s intensive trainings, “Teach Leadership.” This is a 50-hour virtual training to further develop teaching and leading skills they can then use to expand opportunities within KDOC for additional staff to benefit from this leadership training.
Staff development and training are focus areas within KDOC’s strategic plan, Pathway for Success. All staff are given opportunities to gain new skills for personal and professional advancement and to support the work they do with individuals served by KDOC. Through the partnership with KLC, KDOC staff have opportunities to develop skills to lead in any situation, mobilize others in positive ways and create change for future success.
]]>Turner has been working with victims for over 20 years. Described by co-workers as “…a dedicated, kind, and caring advocate who has a tremendous amount of personal and professional integrity,” Turner credits the many victims she has served for much of her success.
“I give credit to the victims I have worked with that contributed to this recognition. They have made me who I am today, listening to each story and teaching me more about life then I could have ever taught them,” she said.
The recognition came during the observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) the week of April 18–24. This marked the 40th anniversary of NCVRW, dedicated to honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme - “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.” - emphasized the importance of leveraging community partnerships and support to help victims of crime.
Engaging and strengthening partnerships is one of the goals of KDOC’s Strategic Plan, Pathway for Success. Partnerships can be between organizations or between individuals, all working towards a common purpose.
]]>Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda said in his introduction to the annual report that he is proud of the collective accomplishments of KDOC employees.
"Working with justice involved individuals is stressful, no matter what your role may be. Yet this work can be incredibly rewarding as we strive to change lives and bring hope to someone who can’t see a future beyond their current circumstances," Zmuda said.
The annual report includes information for fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021) along with trend data from previous years.
"It is my privilege to share some of the highlights of Fiscal Year 2021 in this annual report as we continue to work toward our vision of Transforming Lives for the Safety of All," Zmuda said.
The report details selected highlights from the year, including:
Access the online report here:
]]>The program matches a mentor with a resident (aka mentee) who is within six months of his or her release date. The mentor and mentee then continue this relationship for six months after release. Since 2011, KDOC's mentoring program has assisted close to 9,000 individuals.
There are any number of benefits that come from forming a strong relationship with someone in the community prior to release. The mentor becomes part of a critical support team in those early days following release. This can include helping to find items for basic needs, such toothbrushes/toothpaste, blankets/sheets, laundry baskets, toilet paper, cleaning products and dishes for those going into apartments.
For one individual released in early January, the care and consideration shown to him (selecting clothes in his size and delivering them to him, providing personal hygiene items, etc.) prompted a thank you to the mentoring staff and program coordinators. In a recent update to KDOC staff, Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda shared the message: “I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and bless you for what you’ve done for me it was a fantastic thing. I needed it all so bad. I just wanted you to know that my prayers and thoughts are with you today. Thank you.”
If you are interested in learning more about KDOC mentoring opportunities, please email KDOC_Pub@ks.gov or call (785) 296-3317.
]]>Local law enforcement, the Kansas Highway Patrol and KDOC officials collaborated in the search and arrest.
Sanchez is currently serving a sentence for convictions in Reno County for assault and battery of a law enforcement officer and fleeing/eluding local law enforcement.
The escape is currently being investigated. No additional information is available at this time.
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[Earlier Release]
TOPEKA, Kansas – Gabriel Sanchez Jr., Kansas Department of Corrections #0101860, has been placed on escape status from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility Minimum Custody South Unit. Local law enforcement and the Kansas Highway Patrol are aiding in the search.
Sanchez, a 29-year-old while male, has brown hair, brown eyes, is 6 feet 1 inch tall, and 254 pounds.
Sanchez is currently serving a sentence for convictions in Reno County for assault and battery of a law enforcement officer and fleeing/eluding local law enforcement.
Anyone with information on Sanches can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-265-5211, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.
The escape is currently being investigated. New information will be released as it becomes available.
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]]>The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain target groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. This allows the individual to move from economic dependency into self-sufficiency as they earn a steady income and become contributing taxpayers.
The WOTC target groups include:
Learn more at https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/taxes-and-financing/wotc/
]]>Yet access to a good job and a livable wage, one of the cornerstones of successful reentry, is beyond the reach of many who have paid their debt to society and are ready to rebuild their lives.
Jobs — good jobs with benefits — often require training or certification, or in many cases an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Thanks to the ongoing leadership of Gov. Laura Kelly and the support of policy makers and other advocates, one of the biggest barriers to success after release from prison continues to crumble.
In 2020, KDOC partnered with Kansas colleges and the Kansas Board of Regents to form the Kansas Consortium on Correctional Higher Education. The partnership coordinates and guides higher education programs in all Kansas correctional facilities. It is through this partnership that seven Kansas Colleges were named Second Chance Pell Grant sites last spring.
These grants were deemed “experimental” and support beginning programs across the U.S. In Kansas, the $2.2 million grant means access to technical education, associate and four-year degree opportunities for 700 KDOC residents. A great start, though this transformative opportunity benefits less than 10% of the Kansas total prison population today.
This is all about to change. Full access to federally funded Pell Grants has been restored for incarcerated individuals. These same individuals have been denied access to life-changing Pell grants through a 1994 federal crime. Funding to reinstate the program was included in the stimulus bill signed into law just before Christmas.
That means incarcerated Kansans can once again apply for federal Pell Grants to pay for college courses and career technical education programs.
There will be those who object to the use of public funds in this way. But the connection to education attainment and reduced recidivism is well-documented. And the truth is a small fraction of all new Pell Grant funds will support prison programs.
It’s a wise investment for our society and state. A recent study by the Rand Corporation indicates for every $1 invested in higher education for incarcerated students, taxpayers save — on average — between $4 and $5 in three-year reincarceration costs.
Many individuals in our prisons have become disenfranchised through the criminal justice system and the educational system. Pell grants alone aren’t the answer, but with wider access and availability to training and education, hundreds of individuals who will one day return to Kansas communities will no longer lack the training to fill good jobs that provide a livable wage.
In turn this directly benefits local and state economies and improves the quality of life for all involved.
The decision to pursue higher education is a defining moment for anyone. For incarcerated individuals, the positive impact of successfully completing a certification or attaining a degree are immense.
The end results of removing this one barrier to successful reentry will ripple through their lives, the lives of their families and ultimately benefit all Kansans.
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