Warden Hazel M. Peterson

Warden Peterson began her career with the Kansas Department of Corrections in November of 1992 when she was hired to work in the kitchen at the Norton Correctional Facility. She remained in food service until May of 1996 when she was selected to serve as a Corrections Counselor I. After serving as a Corrections Counselor I for two years, she was promoted to Corrections Counselor II in May of 1998 and later became a Corrections Manager I in May of 2004. In October of 2010, she was promoted to Corrections Manager II. On February 25, 2018, she was selected to serve as the facility's Deputy Warden and served in this capacity until assuming her new role as Warden in October of 2019. 

Hazel has valuable experience in the development and delivery of cognitive services and programming and has been selected to assist and lead many statewide initiatives aligning with classification processes, re-entry, and cognitive-based programming. She attended Barton County Community College, completed the Kansas Department of Corrections Leadership Academy, and has nearly 30 years of experience in the field of Corrections. 

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Dan Schnurr became the warden at Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) on June 18, 2016.

Previously, he had served as warden at Ellsworth Correctional Facility (ECF) since June 2011. Schnurr began his career in corrections at Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) in 1985 as a corrections officer. He rose through the ranks including serving as a corrections specialist, a unit team counselor and a unit team manager. In 2008, Schnurr became HCF's classification administrator. Two years later, he was named HCF's business manager for a brief time before accepting the deputy warden position at ECF.

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Don Langford was appointed Warden of Ellsworth Correctional Facility (ECF) by KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda in November 2019.

Since joining the KDOC in 1989 as an Office Assistant at Hutchinson Correctional Facility, Langford has steadily risen through the ranks including serving as a Corrections Officer, Corrections Specialist, Corrections Counselor and Investigations and Intelligence Supervisor, Deputy Warden of Operations and Deputy Warden of Support Services. He was appointed to the Warden position at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility in October 2016.

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Warden Tommy Williams

Tommy Williams was named the warden at El Dorado Correctional Facility in February 2022.

Williams began his career with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) in June 1984. His work assignments have included corrections officer and corrections specialist in the training department where he co-founded KDOC’s Defensive Tactics program. He has also served as an investigator for Enforcement Apprehension Investigations (EAI), corrections counselor and unit team manager.

He is an active member of the American Correctional Association and United States Deputy Wardens Association. While in Hutchinson, Williams served on the board for Sexual Assault Domestic Violence of Reno County and two terms as a commissioner for the Human Relations Commission of Hutchinson. He is an alumnus of both Leadership Reno County and Kansas Leadership Center of Wichita. Williams teaches martial arts at the American Karate and Martial Science where he has been the chief instructor and owner for over 30 years. He is a three time inductee into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

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Tim Easley was appointed warden of Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF) by KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda in March 2020.  The name of the facility changed on April 27, 2023 to Larned State Correctional Facility.

Previously, Easley had been LCMHF's deputy warden. Since joining KDOC as a corrections officer in 1996, Easley also has held the positions of sergeant and EAI agent. 

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Warden Paul Snyder

Paul Snyder was named warden for Winfield Correctional Facility in November 2018 after having served as warden at El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) since April 2018.

Snyder, who previously served as deputy warden at Winfield Correctional Facility, began his career with the KDOC in 1993 as a corrections officer at EDCF. Snyder, who also worked at Ellsworth Correctional Facility, rose steadily through the ranks to become a corrections supervisor, a unit team manager and then deputy warden in 2010. He first served as EDCF’s deputy warden of programs before transitioning into the position of deputy warden of support services. He then was named the deputy warden at the Wichita Work Release Facility before becoming the deputy warden at Winfield Correctional Facility in 2016.

Snyder earned his associate’s degree in administrative justice from Butler County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in human resources and organizational leadership from Rasmussen College.

 Overview | Visitor Information | History | Warden

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Paul Snyder was named warden for Winfield Correctional Facility in November 2018 after having served as warden at El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) since April 2018.

Snyder, who previously served as deputy warden at Winfield Correctional Facility, began his career with the KDOC in 1993 as a corrections officer at EDCF. Snyder, who also worked at Ellsworth Correctional Facility, rose steadily through the ranks to become a corrections supervisor, a unit team manager and then deputy warden in 2010. He first served as EDCF’s deputy warden of programs before transitioning into the position of deputy warden of support services. He then was named the deputy warden at the Wichita Work Release Facility before becoming the deputy warden at Winfield Correctional Facility in 2016.

Snyder earned his associate’s degree in administrative justice from Butler County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in human resources and organizational leadership from Rasmussen College.

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Why volunteer?

Reason 1

Volunteering at ECF gives you a good feeling.

Volunteers start working at ECF for all kinds of reasons. Some are retired. Some want to add variety to their lives, some have full-time jobs.

ECF volunteers are all different, but in one way they are the same - they keep coming back to work at ECF because it makes them feel good.

Volunteering at ECF gives you the sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you are doing something truly worthwhile.

Reason 2

Our volunteers are a select group of people.

We are picky in choosing our volunteers. You must have the following qualifications:

• Compassion
• A sincere desire to help others
• Ability to learn new skills
• Enthusiasm
• A positive attitude
• Willingness to make a commitment

Reason 3

It is a great way to make friends.

When you meet another ECF volunteer, you automatically have some things in common (See Reason 2). There is no better way to get to know people than to work with them. Many lasting friendships have been made among ECF volunteers.

Reason 4

We have lots of places you can work.

ECF has many areas that need volunteers. Where you work depends upon your abilities and interest.

Do you prefer resident contact? Would you rather answer the phone, and perhaps do some typing? Do you like to be surrounded by noise and activity, or do you prefer a quiet atmosphere?

Our volunteer coordinator will meet with you individually to match your interests and skills with a job that needs to be done.

Here are some areas where you might be assigned to work:

• Mentor one-on-one visits
• Bible studies
• Worship services
• Seminars
• Parenting classes
• Help residents fill out income tax forms
• Clinic
• Mail room
• Unit team
• Chaplaincy
• Library
• Answering telephones
• Religious studies
• AA/NA
• Literary classes
• CPR classes
• Tutoring
• Drama classes
• Public speaking classes
• Spiritual life center
• Fundraising
• Telethons
• Publicity
• Grants/Foundation giving
• Project coordinator

Reason 5

We need you.

Our volunteers are very important people. That is because ECF volunteers take an active responsibility in the day-to-day programs of the facility.

Along with your time, we need your ideas. . . We are always looking for new ways to help. If you are one of those people who "needs to be needed," you will find volunteering at our facility very rewarding.

For more information on volunteering call: 
(785) 472-6212

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Volunteer News
Volunteer Opportunities
Why Volunteer? 

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi

• Lansing Correctional Facility depends upon the assistance of volunteers who work throughout the facility. People are able to volunteer for educational purposes to help residents with life skills, help with different religious studies or to assist with sports and athletic events. Volunteers also may assist staff with clerical duties. Volunteers may help weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. 
 

Who can be a volunteer?

• Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older.
• Volunteers can be of any race, gender or ethnic group.
• Volunteers do not have to have any special education.
• Volunteers cannot have a close family member currently incarcerated with the Kansas Department of Corrections.
• Volunteers cannot be on a visiting list of any offender in Kansas Department of Corrections.
• Volunteers can be ex-offenders, and is decided on by a case-by-case basis.

 

To Become a Volunteer

1. Volunteers complete a volunteer application packet* and security check.
2. Volunteers receive approval from the volunteer group’s representative and volunteer services coordinator.
3. Volunteers complete the Lansing Correctional Facility volunteer training and commit to five visits to the facility per year.

For more information or to request a volunteer packet contact:

Laura Phillippi (e-mail)
Volunteer Services Coordinator

Lansing Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 2
Lansing, KS 66043

(913) 727-3235 ext. 58243
Fax: (913) 250-2755

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