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Pygmy Goats at EDCF 07 2025

David Thompson — 2025-07-25T12:10:00Z

Pygmy goats are all the rage at El Dorado Correctional Facility. Last month, facility administrators welcomed four pygmy goats to EDCF to be raised by eight resident handlers. The benefits of this program include therapeutic effects of interacting with animals which reduce stress on residents and promote positive behavioral changes. The residents can also learn valuable skills related to animal husbandry, including feeding, grooming, breeding, and basic veterinary care for pygmy goats. We’re very excited to see this program ‘baaaaaa’-lloon in size. 😊

Lullaby Project at TCF 06 09 25

David Thompson — 2025-06-24T14:00:00Z

KDOC is grateful for our partnership with the Kansas Children's Discovery Center in Topeka. They are piloting a new program at the Topeka Correctional Facility called the Lullaby project, helping incarcerated moms stay connected with their babies.

Food Hubs of KDOC 06 2025

David Thompson — 2025-06-18T12:20:00Z

A recent feasibility study showed that Norton Correctional Facility (NCF) is the largest producer of fresh produce in that region, so, health officials came up with a plan to utilize NCF’s assets. With the guidance of business consultants specializing in food system planning and sustainable food business development, NCF wrote for and was awarded a federal food grant, and today, they are spearheading a charge to upgrade and convert our gardens into local food hubs that would not only provide fresh produce for residents and staff at each facility, but also enough to share with surrounding communities, especially hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. NCF is piloting this project using the food grant to help build a processing plant adjacent to its garden. The plan is to have the plant under the workings of the Kansas Corrections Industries and Rich O’Donnell, who also happens to have experience at the federal prison in Leavenworth converting gardens into food hubs. So, how the NCF project goes, so goes other facility gardens.

Tasha Layton at Topeka Correctional Facility

David Thompson — 2025-05-21T15:25:00Z

In a place often associated with despair, isolation, and hopelessness, singer Tasha Layton, a rising star in Christian music, brought a message of hope and strength to the residents of Topeka Correctional Facility. This midday concert was sponsored by radio station Life 88.5 in Kansas City, and hosted by LEAD, or Ladies Empowered and Driven, the female arm of Brothers In Blue Reentry program. For many who were not familiar with Tasha Layton before her concert, they quickly became fans of her music and the woman she is.

LCF Donnelly Graduation 05 13 2025

David Thompson — 2025-05-14T22:00:00Z

Four residents at Lansing Correctional Facility received diplomas as they earned Associate of Applied Science in Business degrees from Donnelly College. Our congratulations to Nicholas Martin, Crosson Saisi, Raeshad Scott-Lindsey, and David Young. Martin and Young earned Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society awards while Scott-Lindsey is a first generation college student. KDOC also thanks the teachers, administrators, and staff at LCF for helping to ensuring that classes take place.

Corrections and Employees Week 2025

David Thompson — 2025-05-05T16:00:00Z

The foundational goal at the Kansas Department of Corrections is to always help people come out of prison better than they went in. Today, there are 3,400 staff members working in KDOC facilities throughout the state that are helping those residents who want to change, attain that foundational goal. They, along with their peers across the country, are being recognized and honored for their dedication and service over the next 7 days as we observe National Correctional Officers’ and Employees’ Week.

In order to spotlight those deserving of credit, we dedicate this week to our Unsung Heroes of KDOC. This report reveals the character of people who work throughout our facilities as they help make a difference in the countless lives we encounter every day of the year.

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.

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.

Band Night On The Big Yard at LCF

David Thompson — 2025-03-14T12:30:00Z

What happens when you have a big space for an outdoor concert, a welcoming audience, and no budget to pay musicians? You invite as many bands that are willing to play on the Yard at Lansing Correctional Facility. And are they coming?! For the 2nd year in a row, more than 30 bands from around the Kansas City region are booked to play on a Thursday night between March and October. It's win-win-win situation as local bands who are looking for a gig, can play before a "captive" audience; the residents are welcome to hear a free concert; and administrators say it all adds to a calmer, safer environment. Rock on, LCF!

KJCC Graduation 12 20 2024

David Thompson — 2025-01-15T16:45:00Z

Last month, 42 students at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex walked the stage as graduates of Lawrence Gardner High School, Jobs for America's Graduates, or Washburn Institute of Technology. A milestone achievement to be remembered...as was the keynote speaker, Steve Backman, who shared stories of former students, back when he worked at the facility when it was known as the Youth Center of Topeka, or YCAT.

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!

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.

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!