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28 Residents at HCF make HCC Honor Roll for Fall 2022

David Thompson — 2023-01-23T19:30:00Z

There is an air of excitement regarding the educational opportunities at Hutchinson Correctional Facilities as 28 residents were named to the Hutchinson Community College's President and Vice President's Honor Roll for Fall 2022 semester.

Our congratulations to these residents on their hard work and persistence to make the Honor Roll: Dexter Robinson, Jeremiah Rorie, Cory Brunzell, Shelbert Smith, Jibri Burnett, William Rodriquez, Vernon Bourbon, Devin Siebold, Michael Davidson, Michael Hennessy, Jordan Jones, Richard Jackson, Shawn Smith, Charles Blake, Shane Miskell, Kaleb Gudgen, Jason McCain, Arthur Herron, Aaron Alger, Christopher Small, John Butler, Aaron Morgan, Kevin Gunby, Lavern Reffitt, Matthew Kolbek, Carlos Fernandez, Parker Thompson, and Sam Becker.

In December 2022, 114 residents at Hutchinson Correctional Facility donned their caps and gowns as they receive various diplomas and certifications for various educational and vocational programming, from high school equivalency diplomas to associate's degrees

Unsung Heroes of KDOC - Maintenance

David Thompson — 2023-01-21T22:25:51Z

There are eight adult facilities and one juvenile facility that are maintained 24/7 by Unsung Heroes of KDOC who keep equipment, plumbing, electrical, structural, and roads all in working order. This profile highlights the Maintenance teams at Ellsworth (all male) and Topeka (all female) correctional facilities. If interested in applying for open Maintenance positions, please check out our website and search for the nearest facility.

Topeka Correctional FCA Report

David Cook — 2022-12-08T19:59:34Z

Topeka Correctional West FCA Report

David Cook — 2022-12-08T19:59:35Z

Juvenile Correctional Facilities

Nancy Burghart — 2021-09-24T20:29:07Z

Juvenile Correctional Facilities

Nancy Burghart — 2021-09-24T20:14:25Z

Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility

Nancy Burghart — 2021-04-27T18:58:41Z

Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility

Nancy Burghart — 2021-04-27T18:57:33Z

TCF - Washburn students achieve historic and remarkable achievements

David Thompson — 2020-12-31T06:00:00Z

Students enrolled in Washburn University programs at the Topeka Correctional Facility are making historic and remarkable achievements!

• 91 students were enrolled in associate and bachelor’s degree programs this past fall.

• 54 of those students qualified for academic honors.

• This means 59% of the TCF student body earned a place on either the President’s List (4.0 GPA) or the Dean’s List (3.4-3.99 GPA).

Four students became the first to have graduated with their bachelor's degree at TCF!

This level of academic success is a testament to their perseverance and the support provided by the staff at TCF. Our congratulations to them on their outstanding performance and to the staff and administrators that helped make it possible. On short notice, we were able to grab pictures of a few of the proud TCF/Washburn student residents. Very cool!

Contacts

ACabello — 2020-12-31T05:00:00Z

KDOC needs dedicated and resourceful men and women who want to join us as we strive toward our vision of a safer Kansas. While correctional officer and parole officer positions compose more than half of the KDOC’s workforce, employment opportunities are also available in many other professional and technical areas.

Please reach out to the following Human Resources Offices with questions.

Contact Human Resources HR@doc.ks.gov

Central Office and Parole
(785) 746-7487

Ellsworth Correctional Facility (ECF)
(785) 472-6295

El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF)
(316) 322-2056

Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF)
(620) 728-3281

Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex
(785-746-7195

Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF)
(913) 727-3235 x 58026

Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF)
(620) 285-8000

Norton Correctional Facility (NCF)
(785) 877-6642

Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF)
(785) 559-5109

Winfield Correctional Facility (WCF) and WCF - Wichita Work Release
(620) 221-6660 x 56021

Northern Parole Services
(913) 202-4867

Southern Parole Services
(316) 218-5189

Private Industry Partners

Carol Pitts — 2020-12-31T05:00:00Z

Governor Laura Kelly, Kansas

“When we look at our correctional system, over 90-95% of those folks are going to be coming back into our Kansas communities. Be a whole lot better to use the time that they are in our system to provide an education, get training, get certificates, get licenses, so that when they come out they are ready to take the jobs that we know are available.”

Joe Reardon, President & CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

“KC Chamber members have told us the importance of reducing crime in our region and we believe one of the most effective strategies the business community can take is leading the conversation on hiring returning citizens. We believe in the importance of restoring dignity to incarcerated individuals through education and jobs training while giving them the tools to succeed when they are released from prison. We have also heard from our business community on the business case for hiring returning citizens. These team members often become the best employees a company has, and often remain the most loyal.”

Deb Kirby, Deb's Cattle Service

"I have had PI workers for over 10 years. I think this program is extremely beneficial in the reintegration of inmates to the workforce and life outside of prison. Many of these individuals have never had a job other than the streets. We try to teach skills that will benefit them wherever they decide to go once released. It also helps them to have some money in their pocket when they get out so they can hopefully get on their feet and not go back to their “old ways”. They get a peek of what life can be like if they make good choices once released."

Dave Cox, Plant Manager, Maico

“As far as reservations as far as hiring people with a felony background, there’s a lot of good guys that just simply made a bad choice at some point. Doesn’t necessarily make them a bad person for the rest of their life.”

Employers

If you are an employer interested in hiring KDOC residents, email KDOC_CareerCampus@ks.gov
or call 785-296-3317.

Private Industry Employers (June 3, 2022)
Aramark - EDCF Aramark - HCF Aramark - TCF Aramark - LCF Aramark - LCMHF Aramark - NCF Aramark - WCF BAC - LCF-Central Barkman Honey - HCF Blue Hill - NCF Cal-Maine - HCF-South Creekstone Farm - WCF Electrex - HCF East Evergreen - HCF Great Plains - ECF Heatron - LCF-East	Henke - LCF-East Hess - NCF-East Hubco - HCF-East Husky Hogs - NCF Impact Embroidery - EDCF Kansas Protein Foods - HCF KBK Industries - LCMHF Kirby Cattle - LCMHF Kirby Enterprises - LCMHF KMW - HCF Koch - TCF LaCrosse - LCMHF LPF - LCF-Central Maico - ECF Martin Machine & Welding - HCF South	NFL - TCF Mill Creek - HCF-South Moly - ECF Osborne - NCF Pioneer - EDCF PKM Steel - ECF Polo - TCF Russell Stover - TCF Seat King - HCF-Central Skyline - WCF Wifco - HCF-South Wilkens - NCF-East Zephyr - LCF-East

LCF Career Campus

Nancy Burghart — 2020-12-31T05:00:00Z

The coalition includes multiple businesses, chambers of commerce, colleges, non-profits, members of the faith community and other partners. By providing market certification and college courses for in-demand occupations, the Career Campus will train incarcerated students for new, worthwhile careers, while helping employers better meet their critical workforce needs.

Research shows increased employment in livable wage jobs can reduce recidivism by half. Thriving, contributing citizens lead to increased public safety and community well-being. However, KDOC lacks the space in our correctional facilities to implement a broad range of career-technical education, college courses and programming that supports success in education and employment readiness.

To learn more, contact KDOC_Career Campus@ks.gov or call KDOC 785.296.3317.

Current Members of the Career Campus Public-Private Partnership:

Brothers in Blue Reentry
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
Donnelly College
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
JE Dunn Construction
Kansas Board of Regents
The Greater Kansas Chamber of Commerce
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas Department of Corrections
KC Common Good
KC Crime Commission’s Second Chance
Lumen Torch
Reaching Out from Within
University of St. Mary
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Workforce Partnership
Zephyr Manufacturing

The first phase of this project is a 776 square foot modular classroom and small group space is located next to the minimum-security unit at Lansing Correctional Facility. The classroom was funded by Terry Dunn and donated by Donnelly College, a private university in the Kansas City, Kansas area. Donnelly has successfully operated college programs close to 20 years at Lansing.

Working with our college and career education partners, KDOC will be able to expand career-relevant training opportunities. The new education spaces will advance the concepts of how to use the best techniques, equipment and training to prepare incarcerated individuals for the workforce and success after release.

Fast Facts

The need is significant. Recent research shows 75% entering prison had weak employment and education histories and 50% were unemployed at the time of going back to prison
Kansas needs a skilled, ready-to-work workforce, and KDOC is part of the solution.

We release approximately 6,000 individuals each year who return to their home communities.
98% of the men and women in Kansas prisons today will return to live as our neighbors and members of our society.
Each - if given an opportunity to gain in-demand skills - represents untapped human potential that can help businesses and the Kansas economy.

Completing a GED, at least one CTE and/or a least one college course while incarcerated increases the likelihood of achieving a livable wage.
Jobs - good jobs with benefits - often require training or certification, or in many cases an associate's or bachelor's degree.

Research Program Benefits

Carol Pitts — 2020-12-31T05:00:00Z

2021 Presentation by KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda: Second Chance Hiring

Jeff Zmuda, Kansas Secretary of Corrections, shares his thoughts on the wide-ranging benefits of "second chance hiring." KDOC residents in our correctional facilities provide a skilled, dependable workforce to solve labor shortages, gaining essential skills they need to be successful post-release.

Second Change Hiring, 2021, presentation by Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda

January 2021 KDOC Program Evaluation Results

In January 2021 an evaluation of the Kansas Correctional Industries (KCI) and KDOC's Private Industry Program was completed by Eric J. Lichtenberger, Ph.D. The study explored the impact on post-release employment and recidivism.

An Evaluation of Kansas Correctional Industries/Private Industries (KCI/PI) Programs, January 2021

Additional Research and Reports

Findings in a 2008 research conducted by the Urban Institute Justice Policy Center found:

Eight months after release, only 45 percent of former incarcerated persons were currently employed
Most relied upon family and friends for income after release
Those who held jobs while in prison and participated in job training programs while incarcerated had better employment outcomes after release

Citation: https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/32106/411778-Employment-after-Prison-A-Longitudinal-Study-of-Releasees-in-Three-States.PDF

Prison Policy Initiative examined rates of unemployment among formerly incarcerated people finding they are almost five times more likely than the general public to be unemployed, and many who are employed remain relegated to the most insecure jobs.
Citation: https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/outofwork.html

Rand Corporation had conducted research on educational needs recognizing that individuals who leave federal and state prisons return to communities where they have to compete with others for jobs.

“As already noted, according to RAND’s research, inmates who participate in correctional education programs have a 13-percentage-point reduction in their risk of returning to prison; this indicates that every $1 invested in education can reduce future incarceration costs in the near term. More concretely, we estimated that every dollar invested in prison education programs saves taxpayers, on average, between $4 and $5 in three-year reincarceration costs.”
Citation: https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE342.html

Learn more about Correctional Facility Work Programs

The Second Chance Business Coalition promotes the benefits of second change employment and provides employers with resources to hire and provide career advancement to people with criminal records.

The Prison Post #30 Jeff Korzenik, Author of Untapped Talent https://t.co/KttpH3l0Ne?amp=1

Untapped Talent, Jeff Korzenik https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOm5WTn246GMBIBG1JeJb9w

Second Chance Project — Dave's Killer Bread https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1R2v6Us7MEEWn91Pnd8u9w

Google Small Business Stories: Nehemiah Manufacturing Company https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-0yWGWcupg

Nehemiah Company Culture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxraJmzPlZg

Koch Industries Editorial Take a chance on second-chance hiring | Washington Examiner

Work Programs KDOC

Nancy Burghart — 2020-12-31T05:00:00Z

Earning a living wage is a cornerstone of success for individuals released from prison. A living wage is a legal means to secure housing and transportation, pay off obligations to courts and victims, access ongoing treatment for substance abuse and mental health needs, and support themselves and their families. This increases the likelihood that an individual can remain crime free while improving the safety of Kansas communities.

KDOC residents who gain a livable wage job upon release are one-third less likely to return to prison.

KDOC estimates 98% of current residents serving a prison sentence in Kansas will return to the community.

Over 6,000 persons release from Kansas prisons in a typical year.

Individuals on post release supervision struggle to find and sustain employment. On June 30, 2020, 37% of males (n=2,021) and 37% of females (n=267) on post release supervision were employed

KDOC-sponsored research on Kansas prison residents found that a resident’s ability to earn a living wage upon release was improved by:

Completion of a GED: 6% increase.
Completion of one or more certification course: 8% increase
Completion of one college course: 20% increase.
Holding an industry job six months or longer while incarcerated: 25% increase.

Employers

If you are an employer interested in hiring KDOC residents, email KDOC_CareerCampus@ks.gov
or call 785-296-3317.

Three Stories

In early 2020, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly visited three private industries that employ KDOC residents. Interviews with the Governor, business owners and residents illustrate the life-changing opportunities these experiences have for residents, and the impact on both the Kansas economy and employers looking for skilled employees.

Cold Case Playing Cards

Nancy Burghart — 2020-12-31T05:00:00Z

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PLEASE NOTE: COLD CASE PLAYING CARDS have been distributed to all Correctional Facilities. They are not currently available for the general public to purchase. Those eligible to purchase through Kansas Correctional Industries can do so at https://kansasci.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=10534.

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2022 Cold Case Playing Cards (pdf)

Other states have solved multiple cold case homicides, missing person cases or suspicious deaths through the use of specially created playing cards. Distributed to residents of state correctional facilities and county jails, these cards highlight case information in hope that persons familiar with a case will come forward with a fruitful tip.

As an example, Connecticut has produced multiple decks and has solved 20 cases with their program. For more information about Connecticut’s program, visit their website by clicking here.

For more information about the project in Kansas, please email KDOC_Cold_Case_Cards@ks.gov.

If you have any information regarding a Kansas Cold Case, please call 1-800-KS-CRIME.

Resources and Links:

KDOC Office of Victim Services - Office of Victim Services — (ks.gov)

KBI Victims Assistance - KBI - Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Law Enforcement Victims Assistance Program

AG’s Victim Services Division - Victim Services - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

Crime Victims Compensation - Victim Compensation - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

Remembrance Receptions - Crime Victims Remembrance Recptions - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

KBI Unsolved Cases - KBI - Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Governor's Reward

Kansas Missing and Unsolved - Kansas Missing & Unsolved - Home | Facebook

CrimeStoppers

Wichita - Crime Stoppers of Wichita - Sedgwick County (wichitasedgwickcountycrimestoppers.com)