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.
]]>KDOC offers the opportunity to earn the credits necessary for a diploma, and so far this year, at the end of the third quarter, a total of 39 KDOC residents will earn their Kansas High School diploma.
There are many staff members who assist in this important education program. Through the leadership of Lori Hamilton, Smoky Hill Education Service Center education coordinator for the KDOC project, the planning process has changed to bring about earlier identification of individuals who are near the credits needed to earn their high school diploma. Additional focus is also being placed on providing services for those who might need special education or Title I support.
Hamilton was recently honored (pictured at left with Holly Chavez, facilities services administrator for Topeka Correctional Facility) for her work with exceptional learners throughout KDOC.
Hamilton has also been invited to provide advice and guidance on a national level to the Correctional Education Association’s State Council of Directors on working with incarcerated special education populations.
“The entire team at Smoky Hill ESC are excellent partners for both our juvenile and adult education programs,” said Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda. “The department’s strategic plan, Pathway for Success, emphasizes creating opportunities for our residents to be successful. I am excited to see how our partnership can continue to flourish into the future.”
Another path for completing a high school education is through the GED program, offered throughout KDOC facilities.
“It is never too late to obtain this goal, and KDOC has staff and mentors who help our residents along their journey,” Zmuda said.
]]>As a Second Chance Pell site, Butler Community College will offer Construction Technology, Workforce Development and Business Administration associate’s degrees, with credentials and hours that can apply to areas such as Masonry, and Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Cowley Community College will offer programs in Electromechanical Maintenance, Carpentry/Construction Trades, Welding Technology, and Software, Security and Development, along with credentials and hours that can apply to certifications related to each of these programs.
"We expect to reach about 255 more KDOC residents in three years through these programs, with about 200 completing a full associate's degree," said Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda.
Colleges that partner with KDOC on these programs and many other programs are integral to the KDOC Pathway for Success, the department's strategic plan.
"We appreciate their willingness to step forward and become part of our mission, and their plans to expand access to market-relevant programs for our residents." he said.
]]>Each card in the deck includes brief information about an unsolved crime along with a phone number for anyone with information to call: 1-800-KS-CRIME. These cards highlight case details in the hope that a person or persons familiar with a case will come forward with information leading to its resolution. The Cold Case Playing Cards will replace current decks of standard playing cards available in prisons and county jails. Decks will be placed in dayrooms and other common areas, and available through the commissary for purchase by KDOC residents.
“Our agency and our state’s criminal justice community have a commitment to the victims of crimes,” said Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda. “Our staff members see the unresolved pain experienced by the many families we work with. Hearing the responses from surviving family members when notified that their loved one’s case has been selected for the deck has been powerful and humbling. These families have waited a long time for answers, and this brings some hope.”
“Every call or tip that is shared with law enforcement will be vetted by investigators assigned to the case,” said KBI Director Kirk Thompson. “No matter how small, each tip has the potential of being the missing piece of information needed to finally provide justice to crime victims and their families.”
Other states have solved multiple cold case homicides, missing person cases and suspicious deaths by making these cards available.
“Not every tip received leads to resolution of a case, but someone usually knows something,” Secretary Zmuda said. “Within Kansas correctional facilities and jails, we have segments of our population who want to do something good, perhaps atone for past mistakes, and they may have information about unsolved cases. Our hope is that we receive actionable intelligence that leads to solving cases.”
Development of the project began March 2021 and included law enforcement partners, representatives from victim services, facility-based programs, private industry, media and families whose lives have been impacted by homicide. Through a submissions process that began in December 2021, local law enforcement from across Kansas provided 81 cases to be highlighted. A selection committee with representatives from KDOC, KBI, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement prioritized 59 cases to highlight on the first deck of 52 cards.
The oldest case is from 1976 and the most recent case is from 2020. Unsolved homicide cases are from Cherokee, Dickinson, Doniphan, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Johnson, Leavenworth, Mitchell, Montgomery, Osage, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee and Wyandotte counties. Missing person cases are from Leavenworth, Lincoln, Pottawatomie, Saline and Sedgwick counties. The unidentified remains case is from Geary County.
“For many of these cases even after years of investigative work has occurred, questions still remain that need answers before a perpetrator can be held accountable,” Director Thompson said. “It’s our hope that by distributing this deck more attention is drawn to these cases, and that someone comes forward with details that will move us one step closer to providing justice.”
To learn more, see https://www.doc.ks.gov/victim-services/cold-case-playing-cards
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Richard McMichael used to see education as his right and took it for granted.
“Then, when I got in trouble, I realized what I had lost. Once I got the opportunity to take classes, I’ve treated it like the privilege it is,” he said. “I’ve kind of become obsessed with continual learning now.”
McMichael, 26, was released in March 2022 by the Kansas Department of Corrections following a 2018 conviction for drug-related offences.
Refusing to let his past define him, McMichael used the time while incarcerated to recapture the dreams he had for the future. After his conviction, he was sent to the correctional facility in Larned, Kansas.
From the very beginning, Valarie Browning, KDOC job specialist, said McMichael was unique.
“His motivation was to get his degree and do better, to prove people wrong and that he wasn’t just another troubled kid,” she said.
Browning said McMichael had a lot of family support, and he never slowed down. He would start taking a new class almost before the first class was finished.
“We don’t often see that here,” Browning noted.
McMichael was able to transfer previous college credits to an online degree program with Adams State University, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 and made the President’s List. His next goal is to obtain his CPA, then pursue a master’s degree in computer engineering and computer science.
In May 2021, McMichael relocated to the Wichita Work Release Facility, Wichita, Kansas, and in one week he said his life changed.
“Within a week I got a job,” he said. “A week literally changed the trajectory of what my future can look like.”
After a two-month stint with that employer, where he earned an outstanding employee award, he accepted an offer of a job at Koch Industries in accounting.
“I’m really thankful for this new opportunity,” McMichael said. “I wake up every day very purpose driven, thinking about what I am going to do today to get closer to my goals.”
Rick Husselman, KDOC job specialist at the Wichita Work Release Facility, said employers who are willing to hire current residents are referred to as “second chance” employers. Throughout Kansas, 42 private industries along with 16 correctional industries employ nearly 1,300 residents.
“I can remember the days when a convicted felon was automatically rejected for a job,” Husselman said.
That mind-set is changing, however, and many employers are finding skilled employees who are either currently incarcerated or newly released, ready to work and build a better future for themselves and their families.
“McMichael didn’t waste his time while he has been with us. He has worked hard, both in college and through programs provided by KDOC,” Husselman said. “He accepted help preparing for interviews, how to discuss gaps in employment history and what he is doing while incarcerated to have success once he is released.”
While it is McMichael’s drive and determination to reach his goals that set him on a better path for the future, he is quick to credit the help and support he has received during his time with KDOC.
“There are some very special individuals working at Larned,” he said. “These KDOC employees really went above and beyond. Valerie Browning at Larned guided me and helped me find all the tools to succeed. Travis Getty, among others, proctored my tests, kept me out of trouble and on the right path. They put a lot of effort into helping the people who want to succeed.”
McMichael applauds Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda for the current push to provide education opportunities for KDOC residents.
“Finishing my degree while incarcerated has given me the skills I needed to obtain gainful employment and become a tax paying, full contributing member of society,” he said.
He also believes that if Kansas City or other areas had facilities like the one in Wichita, “you would see more guys get jobs and succeed.”
“In my opinion, the Wichita Work Release Facility has to be one of the preeminent reentry programs in the country,” he said. “The KDOC staff provide great support, assisting with job search resources, resume assistance, and many other transitional planning tools for assimilation back into society.”
McMichael said the staff recognizes that empowering the residents to reach their full potential reduces recidivism.
“It also reunites families, increases public safety, and reduces the tax burden for all taxpayers,” he said.
With a new job at Koch Industries, and his release from prison in March 2022, McMichael is setting his sights on graduate school and a brighter future.
]]>“Chandler Cheeks brings to our system a diverse background gained through various roles and responsibility at facilities within the Michigan Department of Corrections, including his most recent role as warden,” Zmuda said. “He is committed to creating a positive culture at Lansing Correctional Facility that will support a safe environment and promote a sense of well-being.”
Cheeks earned an associate’s degree from Lansing, MI Community College, and completed his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, where he graduate cum laude. He also holds a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership and management from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. He has served as an adjunct instructor for two years at Ferris State University.
“In addition to his education and experience, Chandler values professional staff development that leads to positive change, which directly supports our strategic plan, Pathway for Success,” Zmuda said.
The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867 during the presidency of Andrew Johnson and is the oldest and largest state correctional facility in Kansas. A new facility on the same site was opened in March 2020. Serving only males, the facility includes 1,920 beds in its maximum and medium units, and 512 bed in a minimum unit.
]]>The recognition was expanded to include all employees serving in corrections when the name was changed in 1996. In addition, in 1985, Public Service Recognition Week was established, and is also celebrated the first full week in May of each year.
Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda commended staff on their commitment and dedication.
“Within KDOC, the work you do is difficult, demanding and for many of you, carries an element of risk that many other public servants are not exposed to, particularly for those who work directly with our residents and others under our authority,” Zmuda said in a special message to staff.
“During these very difficult last two years, the global pandemic brought about personal and professional strain that none of us could have prepared for. Circumstances then compounded that stress with severe staffing shortages, yet again increasing the demands placed upon you. And yet, you have demonstrated time and time again that you are up to the challenge,” Zmuda noted.
Throughout this week, each facility has planned special activities and recognitions for staff. Pictures showing these and other events can be found on KDOC and facility Facebook pages.
“Our work goes far beyond keeping order in the facilities, making sure someone on parole is doing what they are supposed to be doing, solving operational issues, or processing bills and taking care of myriad details required to accomplish our mission,” Zmuda said.
“We have the responsibility of meeting each individual where they are – today – and helping them see beyond their current circumstances to better days. It truly takes each and every one of us satisfying our role to make sure we provide a safe and secure environment that is focused on rehabilitation, healing and safety in Kansas communities,” he said.
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"Four individuals completed their GED, a great accomplishment and a springboard to future success," said Jeff Zmuda, Kansas Secretary of Corrections.
Over the past three years, close to 800 KDOC residents have earned GEDs.
Another seven individuals at TCF were recognized for completing The Last Mile coding program, and 18 residents were awarded certificates for earning a spot on the honor roll last semester at Washburn.
"These are great examples of individuals working hard for a better future," Zmuda said. "I also want to thank the staff members who worked with these individuals to help them achieve these milestones."
]]>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 report is the result of work undertaken by KDOC Juvenile Services and other stakeholders to address issues identified by the Juvenile Justice Workgroup in 2015 and in the Kansas Juvenile Justice Reform Act (SB367). The 2016 legislation cited the need to improve the quality of juvenile defense statewide.
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