The Prisoner Review Board conducts monthly Public Comment Sessions in the cities of Derby, Topeka and Kansas City.  These sessions provide an opportunity to allow victims, family, public officials, community members, and other interested persons to express their support, opposition, concern, or comments regarding the potential parole of offenders who are scheduled for parole hearings the following month.

In addition to the Board members, a representative from the KDOC Office of Victim Services will be in attendance at each session to provide instructions and assistance. 

Notice of the Public Comment Sessions and a list of parole eligible offenders are posted at: Public Comment Sessions.  Public officials including District Attorneys, Victim/Witness Coordinators and other related correctional agencies across the State also receive notice of Public Comment Sessions.  Victims registered through the Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services will receive direct and confidential notification of these sessions (K.S.A. 74-7335). 

Instructions for completing a written comment form

Please use the offender's name, number and facility if known.  On the relationship line, please note your association to the offender.  Use the comment lines to provide the Board information not already included in the offender's file.  The Board will have information available on institutional adjustment and programs, therefore you will not need to cover these areas unless you have additional information.

Commenting in opposition of parole:

• Please discuss the present physical, psychological, emotional and/or financial impact of the offenders actions against you, your family member and/or your friend.
• State any special conditions you would like the Board to consider in the event that the offender is granted parole.

Commenting in support of parole:

• Please list specific ways in which you can provide assistance to the offender in the community if parole is granted (i.e. residence, job, transportation).
• Discuss changes you have observed in the offender.
• Note any of the offender's potential risk areas or concerns.
 

The Public Comment Form is provided in portable document format (.pdf) to allow you the option to download, print, fax, mail or e-mail your comments to the Prisoner Review Board. 

• Public Comments Form - Support Release

• Public Comments Form - Oppose Release

The Online Public Comment Form may be used to electronically send your comments to the Prisoner Review Board.

• Online Comment Form

Over the past few decades, the United States has witnessed a significant increase in the prison population on both the federal and state level. The State of Kansas is no exception. Since 1995, the average daily population in our prisons has increased by roughly 2,000 inmates. The vast majority of these inmates will be released from prison at some point and without adequate services to assist in successfully reintegrating into society many offenders are likely to re-offend. The Kansas Department of Corrections takes a proactive approach to preparing offenders for release into the community in order to increase their chances of living the remainder of their lives crime-free. Beginning in our correctional facilities, we thoroughly assess each inmate's needs in terms of treatment, education and vocational training, and develop case plans to ensure that inmates receive the programming they need while incarcerated. We begin preparing inmates for release more than a year in advance by working with facility case managers, parole officers and offenders' families. Additionally, the Department has implemented comprehensive community programs to provide high-risk offenders with the treatment, housing, employment and supervision they need to maintain a crime-free lifestyle.

In collaboration with other state agencies and community groups, the Kansas Department of Corrections has made tremendous gains in creating a state-wide framework for successful community reintegration for offenders. Looking to the future, the Department has established seven major goals to build upon our accomplishments. They are:

1. Increase offenders’ abilities and motivations to practice responsible crime-free behaviors through correctional management consistent with the research driven principles of effective intervention.
2. Improve the safety and security of correctional facilities by incorporating the principles of effective risk management.
3. Manage offenders in the community using risk reduction strategies that assist them in acquiring pro-social behaviors and ultimately achieve successful reintegration.
4. Recruit and retain the quality workforce needed to provide effective services.
5. Become a Department in which we all function as a single team.
6. Manage accurate, timely and complete information.
7. Serve as a liaison and service provider for crime victims.

The Department's Fiscal Year 2009 Strategic Action Plan includes goals, objectives and strategies designed to improve our ability to manage offenders safely and effectively. This includes increasing programming capacity, improving the speed and accuracy of information-sharing, expanding services for victims and families, and building community partnerships. Our Strategic Action Plan serves to further our vision of "A Safer Kansas Through Effective Correctional Services".