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Second Chance Month Megan Milner Promo

David Thompson — 2025-04-22T14:50:00Z

During April Second Chance Month in Kansas, it's positive to focus on the potential for transformation and the value of second chances for individuals returning to society after incarceration. We're grateful for the work and leadership of Secretary Jeff Zmuda and Deputy Secretary of Adult and Juvenile Community Based Services, Megan Milner, as they spearhead the efforts of countless staff members who make a difference in creating second chances on a daily basis.

Pygmy Goats at EDCF 07 2025

David Thompson — 2025-07-25T12:10:00Z

Pygmy goats are all the rage at El Dorado Correctional Facility. Last month, facility administrators welcomed four pygmy goats to EDCF to be raised by eight resident handlers. The benefits of this program include therapeutic effects of interacting with animals which reduce stress on residents and promote positive behavioral changes. The residents can also learn valuable skills related to animal husbandry, including feeding, grooming, breeding, and basic veterinary care for pygmy goats. We’re very excited to see this program ‘baaaaaa’-lloon in size. 😊

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.

Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week 2024

David Thompson — 2024-07-22T12:55:00Z

In recognition of the 23rd annual Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week (PPPS), the Kansas Department of Corrections is proud to recognize, honor, and celebrate the work of our Parole Officers throughout KDOC. We thank and commend our Parole Supervision team for all the work as well as the outstanding teamwork displayed as each office leans on one another with challenging caseloads and efforts to mitigate the risks that come with the job. This year’s theme for PPPS Week is Wellness Unveiled: Navigating the Journey. There are a myriad of traumatic stories and broken lives that our workers must wade through just to help people under supervision and guide them to a place of stability. Those journeys can take a mental toll, to say the least. So, we are grateful that this week is not only a celebration of our valued team in post supervision, but to recognize the daily grind that can impact both mind and body. So, the celebration of this week is not just about the food, fun, or activities but more importantly, about celebrating the victories of lives turned around with the help of the best post supervision team in the country.

Play Free at HCF 03 09 26

David Thompson — 2026-04-10T12:00:00Z

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center (KCDC) in partnership with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) are proving that while an incarcerated parent may be away, love doesn't have to be on hold. For nearly two years, the Play Free program is strengthening the bonds between incarcerated parents and their children through the power of play. The "Play Free" program provides a mobile museum experience, bringing high-quality educational play directly to families impacted by incarceration. By creating a normalized, joyful environment, the program helps reduce the trauma of separation and fosters the essential connections necessary for successful family reintegration.

NCF Graduation 12-13-2024

David Thompson — 2024-12-26T17:20:00Z

In association with Colby Community College, 33 residents at Norton Correctional Facility donned caps and gowns after completing courses for associate's degrees in Alternative Energy, certificates of completion in Wind Technical or Wind Certificate of Completion, certificates in Telecommunications, and diplomas for completing GED. Congratulations to all our graduates! Two newly created awards were also presented; The Catalyst - to the student exhibiting leadership that inspires others and The Pinnacle - to the student who achieves the highest standards in academia throughout the program. Exciting day for all!

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.

Monica Pyles - Testimony of Overcoming Abuse

David Thompson — 2024-03-20T13:00:00Z

Monica Pyles is proof of God's redemptive power to heal victims of abuse. From victim of a crime, to being victimized by the foster care system... From losing her innocence, to losing loved ones... And from getting locked up, to breaking the chains of shame and distrust, Monica Pyles shares her faith journey in hopes of helping others know the healing power of Jesus Christ. She is using her story to help build the womens ministry at the Topeka Correctional Facility, a place in which she was incarcerated for 7 1/2 years.

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.

Lullaby Project at TCF 06 09 25

David Thompson — 2025-06-24T14:00:00Z

KDOC is grateful for our partnership with the Kansas Children's Discovery Center in Topeka. They are piloting a new program at the Topeka Correctional Facility called the Lullaby project, helping incarcerated moms stay connected with their babies.

LEAD (Ladies Empowered And Driven) at TCF 2024

David Thompson — 2024-10-17T20:00:00Z

The Brothers In Blue Reentry program is considered one of the best faith-based programs within KDOC, if not all of the U-S. Their female counterpart, LEAD (Ladies Empowered And Driven), has a remnant of strong Christ-followers and they hope to grow stronger as they encourage others to lock arms of faith . LEAD encourages Christian sisters to volunteer as a mentor, to give financial support, and at the least, to pray for each of the ladies, support staff, and facility staff members.

LCF's Joe Wilson Receives Quilt of Valor 09 19 24

David Thompson — 2024-09-19T22:00:00Z

More than 20 years ago, an Iraqi war veteran's mother had a dream that a quilt draped around her son helped soothe his battle nightmares. She helped create a non-profit foundation around that dream, called Quilts of Valor. The foundation has since awarded nearly 395-thousand quilts. The foundation's goal is to cover as many of our veterans who served in Iraq/Afghanistan as possible. On September 19, 2024, Lansing Correctional Facility's Joe Wilson, a Discharge Planner and an 11-year veteran in a Medevac unit, was honored by the foundation. The quilt was handmade by Judabeth Bural, a Mentoring 4 Success Volunteer, who also presented the quilt to Wilson. It took almost 50 hours to make the quilt.

LCF Visitor Handbook

David Thompson — 2024-12-11T13:29:20Z

LCF Resident Todd Deal MBA Graduation Ceremony 08 02 24

David Thompson — 2024-08-09T21:00:00Z

Lansing Correctional Facility Resident, Todd Deal, says there are three contributing factors that helped him earn his masters degree: first, his support team which includes his sister Amanda, several residents involved with Brothers in Blue Reentry, the head of BIBR, CJ Hughes; second is his pastor of record, Jeff Hord, who planted a church inside LCF, Vineyard Church - Lansing; and third, inspiration from his mother before she passed in 2011.

Our congratulations to Todd Deal for his hard work and determination to enhance his education and to be an encouragement for others.

And thank you to all of our staff, contractors, and volunteers who have helped along the way!

LCF Donnelly Graduation 05 13 2025

David Thompson — 2025-05-14T22:00:00Z

Four residents at Lansing Correctional Facility received diplomas as they earned Associate of Applied Science in Business degrees from Donnelly College. Our congratulations to Nicholas Martin, Crosson Saisi, Raeshad Scott-Lindsey, and David Young. Martin and Young earned Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society awards while Scott-Lindsey is a first generation college student. KDOC also thanks the teachers, administrators, and staff at LCF for helping to ensuring that classes take place.