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Supporting Community Organizations in Improving Outcomes for Juvenile Offenders and Families flyer

David Thompson — 2025-01-14T15:56:59Z

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!

FY2026 - 2027 Juvenile Evidenced-Based Programs Grant

David Thompson — 2024-12-19T15:05:14Z

LCF Visitor Handbook

David Thompson — 2024-12-11T13:29:20Z

ECF Learning Celebration 2024

David Thompson — 2024-12-09T23:00:00Z

The 2024 Learning Celebration at Ellsworth Correctional Facility saw 128 recipients of either Associate's Degree, 18 and 32 Hour Completion toward an associate's degree, Kansas State High School or GED Diploma, Welding Certificate, or the OSHA 10 Safety Course certificate. Many of the graduates received a combination of these degrees and certificates. A lot of hard work by the graduates. And a lot of work by Barton Community College and ECF staff to help the students achieve this milestone toward a better and more secure future. Our congrats to all!

KDOC is also grateful for the support of Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran as representatives from each office was in attendance.

KDOC Honors Military Staff Members on Veterans Day 11 12 24

David Thompson — 2024-11-11T14:00:00Z

Monday is Veterans Day. It is vitally important to remember why we have this federal holiday to honor those who have served in the military, including many of our staff members. Beginning at the end of World War I in 1919, we, as Americans, commemorate our veterans by honoring their service every November 11th. This federal holiday was initially established to pay tribute to the ones who served during World War I, today, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still alive, in contrast to Memorial Day, which remembers those who passed away while serving. Those who serve in the military, say they’re not in it for the money but for the virtues of honor, duty, sacrifice, and service to our country. In many ways, such virtues make up the backbone of who we are as a country. We have many veterans in our workforce and are grateful for each one. So, as we enjoy a 3-day weekend, let us remember the fallen veterans as well as those who have served and those who are currently serving. Thank you to each of our veterans for their service to our country. And thank you to all of you for your service to our great state of Kansas.

- Jeff Zmuda, Kansas Secretary of Corrections, addressing staff members.

Horse Adoption At HCF 10 18 2024

David Thompson — 2024-10-30T20:00:00Z

Hutchinson Correctional Facility's (HCF) Horse and Burro Program recently held its annual Open House and Competitive Bid Auction Weekend. A total of 18 horses were auctioned off as well as selling 13 untouched horses and 10 burros. The weekend is a culmination of months of basic care for the horses (which are captured in the wild from mostly western and northwestern states) to actual training, under the supervision and guidance of professional trainers, correctional staff, and resident trainers in apprenticeship.

Although Wildhorse adopts all year long both trained and untouched horses. KDOC continuously trains horses year around. As we move into July of each year, we will start holding all of our trained horses for the Open House, allowing those horses to have a lot more training hours on them. This provides an opportunity for those that need a horse more than green broke to bid.

Kansas Corrections Industries and HCF officials are hoping to increase the number of Auction Weekends with one in the spring along with one in the fall.

Governor Laura Kelly highlights opening of East Campus at Lansing unit

David Thompson — 2024-10-25T23:00:00Z

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was our keynote speaker and honorary ribbon-cutter as KDOC celebrates the grand opening of Lansing Correctional Facility's East Campus. It’s the first ever substance use recovery and work release unit within Kansas prisons.

Helping to equip residents within this 200-bed minimum security unit, the program will help build a path to successful re-entry into the community.

KJCC's first ever graduates from Aramark Culinary Program

David Thompson — 2024-10-24T20:00:00Z

Congratulations are in order for 3 residents at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. They are the first ever graduates of the Aramark IN2WORK culinary program at KJCC. The program allows students to learn kitchen basics; food service management; and take a final exam to earn a certification that is recognized throughout the food and restaurant industry. IN2WORK has been well received across the adult population and in this first with KJCC, are seeing the fruits of the labors of many people involved.
KDOC is grateful for our partnership with Aramark and its workers who help instill a vision for opportunities in culinary arts.
We also want to thank the KJCC staff for their support!

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.

KDOC Turns Keys to Old Kansas State Penitentiary/LCF to LHS

David Thompson — 2024-09-09T20:00:00Z

KDOC officially hands over the keys to the old Kansas State Penitentiary/Lansing Correctional Facility to the Lansing Historical Society. Great work by the Kansas Legislature, spearheaded by Senator Jeff Pittman of Leavenworth. Doors open Friday, September 13, 2024 for tours which will be hosted by former staff and residents as well as other volunteers.

Yoga at TCF 2024

David Thompson — 2024-08-20T22:00:00Z

One promising approach for prison reform and rehabilitation is the practice of Yoga. A growing number of residents at the Topeka Correctional Facility are finding that the practice of yoga can help reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and develop a greater sense of inner peace and well-being. Namaste'

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!

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.