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KDOC Healthcare Checkup2024 Part 1

David Thompson — 2024-01-24T23:00:00Z

Many health problems that plague our world outside the fences, plague our world inside the fences at an even greater rate; increasing demand for healthcare services for cancer patients, substance abuse, and care for the elderly are common issues within state correctional facilities. We admit we are not perfect in addressing these problems, but healthcare within the Kansas Department of Corrections is doing a lot with what is given to us.

In looking at the healthcare provided for residents within KDOC, we offer you the first of a three-part series looking at ways KDOC is addressing these issues. This week, we hear how developing a working relationship with the contract partner, Centurion of Kansas LLC, has enabled positive ideas to be turned into positive outcomes.

KDOC Crafts 2025

David Thompson — 2025-09-04T12:20:00Z

One of the most impactful tools in corrections is the Crafts & Arts shops within each of our facilities. Not only can crafting provide a “safe place” for one’s mind and reduce stress and anxiety, but it can also tap into one’s creative side while learning vocational skills like carpentry, woodworking, or textiles that can lead to employment upon release. There have been many residents who have benefited from crafts and arts programs toward rehabilitation, public safety, and human dignity. The bonus parts are the positive bridges they can help build with communities as they contribute their work back into society.

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.

KCI - Clinton Park Furniture 02 27 2026

David Thompson — 2026-03-27T17:00:00Z

The partnership between Kansas Correctional Industries, other state agencies, and other qualified organizations extends far beyond providing resident-produced goods and services. KCI’s line include paint products and street signs to metal benches and office furniture. Keeping customers pleased serves as a cornerstone for community growth and individual rehabilitation, as was the case when Clinton State Park recently unveiled its new Visitor Center complete with new chairs and desks built by residents at Lansing Correctional Facility and KCI.

KCDC Unveils Play Free Visitation Area at ECF

David Thompson — 2025-03-31T20:00:00Z

A new child-friendly visitation space at Ellsworth Correctional Facility aims to make family connections easier, thanks to a partnership between KDOC and the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. the redesigned space prioritizes the emotional and developmental needs of children visiting incarcerated parents, emphasizing a family-centered approach in the correctional system. Governor Laura Kelly praised the partnership, saying in a statement, “I am pleased to support this partnership between the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and the Kansas Department of Corrections, which takes a compassionate approach to the visitation experience. By focusing on the welfare of both parents and children, we can improve outcomes and support positive family relationships throughout the incarceration period.” Research shows that maintaining strong parent-child connections during incarceration reduces trauma, supports emotional stability, and lowers the risk of intergenerational incarceration, according to the National Institute of Justice. A similar visitation room has also opened at the El Dorado Correctional Facility, and a third is scheduled to launch at Lansing Correctional Facility April 10th.

Kansas Department of Corrections Announces Implementation of Grants Expanding Behavioral Health Services for Juveniles in Detention

David Thompson — 2025-09-22T19:20:00Z

The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) today announced the successful implementation of over $1.4 million in grant funding, which has enabled juvenile detention centers across the state to provide vital mental health and substance use services to young people. The grants, established through the 2023 passage of House Bill 2021, address the significant behavioral health needs of juveniles and connect families to crucial support services sooner.

"This funding is a game-changer for our ability to effectively help Kansas youth in the justice system," said Megan Milner, KDOC Deputy Secretary. "By identifying and addressing mental health and substance use needs early, we are providing a pathway for young people to receive the support they need to avoid future system involvement. For many detention centers, this is the first time they have had the capacity to offer these essential services".

This grant program utilizes the state’s Evidence-Based Programs fund to improve services in Kansas’ nine locally operated juvenile detention centers. Assessments conducted since the grants were implemented in 2023 have revealed a critical need: over 80% of youth admitted to a detention center have mental health or substance use disorders. The grants are directly addressing this by funding timely assessments, case management, and behavioral health services.

“These grants provide crucial funding to address the needs that may be influencing a youth’s behavior in the community, thus resulting in them coming to the attention of the justice system. By getting them connected to services as early as possible, we can provide a structure of support for the youth and their family to hopefully change their trajectory in the juvenile justice system”, said Steve Stonehouse, Sedgwick County Director of Corrections.

The KDOC is responsible for the adult and juvenile correctional systems in the state, ensuring a safe and secure environment while providing opportunities for offenders to become productive members of society upon release.

Juvenile Grants Availabilities - Profile of Heartland 180

David Thompson — 2025-02-11T21:30:00Z

At the Kansas Department of Corrections, we fully support programs and organizations that are dedicated to helping young people to be productive citizens in our communities. In some cases, some young people need more support than others. If you are part of an organization that reaches out to help guide and/or mentor justice-involved juveniles, perhaps you need to see if you qualify for grant funding through KDOC? We talked with one such organization in hopes of sharing their inspiration and know-how to obtain grants that took them from an after-school program, into one of the biggest nonprofits helping justice-involved juveniles. This is the story of Heartland 180 in Kansas City, Kansas.

IN2WORK Giftbags for RMH 04 03 25

David Thompson — 2025-04-03T17:25:00Z

Aramark Correctional Services is marking the 20th anniversary of its IN2WORK (I2W) program, which provides education and industry certifications to incarcerated individuals. To help celebrate, the IN2WORK residents and Aramark staff at Lansing Correctional Facility created 250 self-stable, breakfast snack packs and donated them to the Ronald McDonald House near Childrens Mercy Hospital in Overland Park.

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.

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.

HCF HCC Honor Roll Fall 2022 East Unit

David Thompson — 2023-01-23T19:08:48Z

HCF HCC Honor Roll Fall 2022 Central Unit

David Thompson — 2023-01-23T19:07:46Z

Grantee Conditions of Agreement Signature Page.pdf

David Thompson — 2025-11-05T20:03:55Z

Governor's Grants Program 2026-2029

David Thompson — 2026-01-26T21:30:00Z

Attention crime victims and survivors in Kansas! The Governor’s Grants Program wants to hear from you! Please consider filling out this survey to help determine the state’s financial priorities for victim advocacy grants in 2026-2029. Your voice matters! The survey is anonymous and individual responses are kept confidential. The survey can be accessed in English or Spanish at this link. To access the Spanish survey, use the drop-down in the upper right corner to select “Spanish.”

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.