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TCF Offsite Visits - Kansas Childrens Discovery Center

David Thompson — 2023-11-15T18:00:00Z

The PLAY FREE Program is a daylong visit for Residents at the Topeka Correctional Facility who have earned the privilege to be offsite with their children or grandchildren at the The Kansas Children's Discovery Center in Topeka. The program has partnered with TCF since 2018. This program is open for six visits per year where children of incarcerated mothers/grandmothers can explore in an educational playground setting. The Kansas Department of Corrections is grateful for organizations like the Kansas Childrens Discovery Center who also believe in second chance opportunities while helping children of incarcerated parents.

KDOC at StateFair 2023

David Thompson — 2023-09-19T19:45:00Z

KDOC has had a presence at the state fair in Hutchinson for countless years. And it was in 1990 that we built a building to house our booth of information for fair-goers. And every year, up to -40- KDOC volunteers will help man the booths and building to interact with fair-goers and answer questions from the public. Every interaction is meaningful when it comes to telling people what we do and why we do things. They understand who we do it for: it’s for everyone. So, a hearty ‘Thank you!’ to all the volunteers who sacrificed their time to talk with visitors at the state fair in Hutchinson. Here’s a video that highlights a few of those volunteers.

Monica Pyles - TCF/Private Industries Partner Success story

David Thompson — 2023-08-30T13:05:00Z

KDOC's Vision is to change lives for the safety of all. Those who are willing to change, will seize every opportunity afforded to them. Such is the case of former Topeka Correctional Facility resident Monica Pyles. After 3 years of struggling and declining the help from staff within TCF, she admits a breakthrough opened her eyes and set her sights on working at a coveted Private Industries job. The company started in August of 2021 at TCF and Pyles was one of the first 13 ladies hired to make parts of the products with a sewing machine. The company was so pleased with her work and leadership, they hired her straight out of prison when she was paroled in September 2022. She is considered by many as a posterchild for reentry within TCF.

Profile: TCF Residents working with Private Industries Partner

David Thompson — 2023-08-30T05:00:00Z

To date, there are nearly 1,300 adult residents employed by one of over 40 private industry partners with KDOC. These individuals are helping reduce labor shortages across Kansas and grow the state's economy while also building valuable work experience that translates to similar opportunities after serving their time. At the Topeka Correctional Facility, there are -70- residents who are working with a private industry partner that produces various products, many of which need sewn together. In two years, the company has experienced so much success, they are considering adding a second shift of workers at this TCF plant. The company has two other plants; one in Iowa and another in Mississippi. This is their story.

VisionVan makes annual visit to KDOC facilities 07 23 23

David Thompson — 2023-07-26T15:55:00Z

KDOC contracts with Centurion Health to provide an added benefit for families of residents who happen to visit on days when the Vision Van is on site at each of our facilities. They offer free eye exams and a free pair of glasses for anyone in need of eyewear. This is also a benefit to all workers at each facility. We appreciate this service and encourage all residents and staff to keep a lookout for when the van is back at your nearest facility.

KJCC Graduation June 30, 2023

David Thompson — 2023-07-26T15:00:00Z

Graduations are always so meaningful and emotional to all parties involved. It's a celebration of hard work, determination, belief in oneself, overcoming adversity, and in many cases in a prison, overcoming odds to not only survive but also thrive. Such was the case recently at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex as 21 residents graduated from Lawrence-Gardner High School and 6 others graduated from Washburn Tech. Our congratulations to the grads and their families. Thank you to all the staff, educators, partners at Washburn University and Washburn Tech, and the administration for your support!

Staff stories: Linda Graves 999

David Thompson — 2023-06-15T21:45:00Z

Ellsworth Correctional Facility staff member, Linda Graves, shares her story. Graves works In the ECF greenhouse part time mentoring the residents in gardening and groundskeeping. Working a 999 shift is ideal for people who only want to work part-time or seniors who don't want to fully retire.

TCF / Washburn Honor Roll Spring 2023

David Thompson — 2023-05-27T21:00:00Z

KDOC is proud to share the achievements of some of the Washburn University students at Topeka Correctional Facility from the semester just closed up in May. These students have continued to overcome difficult barriers and achieve scholarly excellence. Two of the students on the President’s List successfully achieved the grade point requirement of a 4.0 to stay on the President’s List their entire Associates Degree journey. Our congratulations to all the ladies!

LCF - Lawrence Gardner High School Graduation 2023

David Thompson — 2023-05-24T21:50:00Z

20 residents from Lansing Correctional Facility received their high school diplomas as part of the Lawrence Gardner High School program. Congrats to these men for their hard work and determination as they hope to use this milestone achievement as a stepping stone in their lives and future dreams.

Donnelly College Graduation 05-18-2023

David Thompson — 2023-05-18T22:00:00Z

Our congratulations to the following residents for their hard work and determination to successfully complete and earn their Associate Applied Science in Business from Donnelly College:

Isaac Beltran *+
Danny Clark *+
Ben Hinchsliff
Charles Jones +
Travis Orton
Aaron Smallwood *+

* Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

+ First-generation college student

Aaron Smallwood gave the graduate address.

John Hewitt Program Director.

Dear Mama - LCF 2023

David Thompson — 2023-05-18T18:15:00Z

This past Mother's Day weekend, three organizations within Lansing Correctional Facility (Arts in Prison) (Growth Ministries) (African Awareness Organization), invited four women to share their experiences and feelings of what the impact of having a loved one incarcerated has done to them and their families. Their stories help open the eyes of residents that the hardship of serving time has ripple effects back home.

Hutchinson Correctional Facility - Graduation ceremony 5-11-23

David Thompson — 2023-05-12T20:30:00Z

Hutchinson Correctional Facility held it's summer graduation ceremony as 53 diplomas or program certificates were awarded to residents on the completion of their courses. Studies have shown that education is a key factor in helping people stay out of prison once they leave.

Wellness Manager - Profile of Katie Herzberg

David Thompson — 2023-05-09T19:20:00Z

Filling the newly created position of Wellness Manager, Katie Herzberg has her hands full as she helps to identify and develop programs for individual and collective wellness of staff within KDOC. Her work will bolster the Peer Support program as there is a need for many workers to talk with someone about a traumatic event or secondary trauma they've endured. There are other benefits and programs she hopes will come to fruition soon.

Cold Case Cards 1st Anniversary

David Thompson — 2023-05-08T21:00:00Z

For nearly a year, the dayrooms and living areas of Kansas correctional facilities and county jails have seen the first decks of playing cards with information about unsolved murder cases in our state. KDOC takes a look at the impact of the Cold Case Cards thus far and what victims' families are saying.

NCF - Trash bags to Mats for Homeless

David Thompson — 2023-04-11T14:50:00Z

The Crafts and Arts program at Norton Correctional Facility is helping the homeless community throughout Kansas as they take donated trash bags and crochet them together into mats and tote bags. See how one man's trash bag can become another man's treasure.