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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.

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.

KJCC / Kansas Childrens Discovery Ctr Visitation 02 20 2024

David Thompson — 2024-03-20T13:15:00Z

The partnership between the Kansas Department of Corrections and the Kansas Childrens Discovery Center continues to flourish within a couple of our Visitation Rooms. KCDC has held numerous on-site visits with mothers and grandmothers with their children and grandchildren on the grounds of their Topeka Museum that is filled with games and learning activities. KDOC is slowly integrating the male facilities' Visitation Rooms utilizing KCDC'S Mobile Museum. They recently opened shop for a test run at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. And last month, they made a first time visit to the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex where 5 young dads were able to see and visit their children, three of whom were seeing their newborn child for the first time.

KDOC Healthcare Checkup2024 Part 3

David Thompson — 2024-02-07T20:30:00Z

We close out our 3-part series looking at the healthcare of residents within KDOC. In part 3, we highlight and salute the work of two nurses and an activities therapist who epitomize what it is to respect the patients within our facilities while preserving their dignity. Like the outside world, patients are placed in positions of vulnerability as they are prodded and questioned about personal details of their body functions by people they don’t know, and who really don’t know them. Yet, healthcare professionals within KDOC exude a professionalism that puts the overall health of the patient first and foremost. Narrated by Jennifer Brunenn, KDOC Education Coordinator

KDOC Healthcare Checkup 2024 Part 2

David Thompson — 2024-02-02T18:30:00Z

In part 2 of our checkup on KDOC Healthcare, we share how we are winning the fight against Hepatitis-C and Hernias. We also take a deeper look at the Hospice program at El Dorado Correctional Facility. It’s slightly similar to the Companion programs that are in place at other facilities within KDOC, but the hospice training at EDCF is more in-depth with specific training that focuses on all levels of crisis.

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.

VisionVan makes annual visit to KDOC facilities 07 23 23

David Thompson — 2023-07-26T15:55:00Z

KDOC contracts with Centurion Health to provide an added benefit for families of residents who happen to visit on days when the Vision Van is on site at each of our facilities. They offer free eye exams and a free pair of glasses for anyone in need of eyewear. This is also a benefit to all workers at each facility. We appreciate this service and encourage all residents and staff to keep a lookout for when the van is back at your nearest facility.

PREA Annual Data for Contracted Facilities

Nancy Burghart — 2023-05-18T20:33:27Z

Cold Case Cards 1st Anniversary

David Thompson — 2023-05-08T21:00:00Z

For nearly a year, the dayrooms and living areas of Kansas correctional facilities and county jails have seen the first decks of playing cards with information about unsolved murder cases in our state. KDOC takes a look at the impact of the Cold Case Cards thus far and what victims' families are saying.

WCF Geriatric & Cognitive Care Unit Preview

David Thompson — 2023-02-16T17:00:00Z

After three-plus years of consideration, planning and renovation the wait is almost over. Last Friday as Winfield Correctional Facility, we unveiled the new 240-bed specialized unit providing geriatric care, a substance abuse treatment program, and a training program open for residents who wish to become certified as a CNA aide to help with care of their fellow elderly residents.

It’s estimated that there are 10-thousand people in our country everyday who are turning -65-. In our culture today, we are living longer but that doesn’t guarantee we are living healthy. And we see that in our population as well. In 2013, there were 182 residents aged 65-and-above, roughly 2% of the general population. In 2022, that number is up to -344- or roughly 5% of the population. As our elderly population has grown, so has the number of cases involving Dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases. This dedicated unit will help us manage the special needs of our growing elderly population while also helping many others with substance abuse.

We believe the bigger picture is that increased mental health and substance abuse treatment will cut the number of people who enter our facilities as well as those who return once they’re released. At the end of this month, we will begin moving 30 residents a week to Winfield until the unit is full.

Unsung Heroe of KDOC - Maintenance - Digest version

David Thompson — 2023-02-07T22:00:00Z

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.

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

EDCF Visitation Information

Nancy Burghart — 2023-01-10T18:50:03Z

EDCF Visitation

Nancy Burghart — 2023-01-10T18:41:11Z