An inmate can correspond with you in either one of two ways: by replying to an electronic message you have sent to him/her; or by having the system send you a form letter requesting permission for him/her to be able to correspond.

If you approve the request he/she can then write messages to you. If you deny the request or simply do not respond, he/she cannot write to you. If you have questions about how to use the electronic mail, please call 1-800-574-5729.

Does this mean that inmates have access to the Internet?
No. The kiosk and tables used by the inmates to read their messages do not give access to the Internet. The entire process is electronic unless the inmate elects to pay to have the message printed for an extra cost.

Do all inmates have access to electronic messaging?
Electronic messaging may not be available to all inmates depending upon their security status and other factors related to their incarceration. Inmates in administrative segregation or disciplinary segregation status do not have access.

The restrictions and limitations which may apply to traditional paper mail apply to electronic messaging based on an individual inmate’s incentive level, custody classification or other security issues.

All electronic messages will be screened by the computer software for words and phrases that may represent a risk to the facility security or the public safety. All attached photos will be viewed by staff before they can be accessed by the inmate. All Kansas Administrative Regulations regarding inmate correspondence will apply. For more information, please see K.A.R. 44-12-601 (Mail).

What if I no longer want an inmate to e-mail me?
You may request to be removed from the inmate’s approved correspondence list at any time by contacting the facility or e-mailing your request to kdoc_pub@ks.gov.

Does it cost the inmate money to receive or print out the message?
The cost is paid by the person who is sending the e-mail, whether it is the inmate or the writer on the outside. Each electronic message costs one stamp. Each attachment costs one stamp. It does not cost the inmate to view an electronic message. If the inmate wants a copy of the message printed, the inmate would incur cost of paper and printing supplies.

Can I send photographs as attachments?
Yes. Inbound messages can contain up to five attachments of one megabyte each. Photographs sent as attachments do not count toward an inmate’s limit of 50 allowable photographs unless the inmate has them printed. There is no limit on the number of emails that can be sent.

____________________________________________________________________________

If an inmate violates a rule, a staff member writes a DR or issues a summary judgment citation.

The inmate may enter a plea of not guilty, guilty or no contest when the report is served to him/her. Each inmate also is entitled to:

• receive advance written notice of the charge and a fair hearing by an impartial hearing officer;
• be present at the hearing;
• present documentary evidence;
• testify on the inmate's own behalf;
• have witnesses, subject to considerations of facility safety and security.
• confront and cross-examine witnesses against the inmate; and
• be furnished with staff assistance according to K.A.R. 44-13-408.

Disciplinary proceedings are conducted in a similar manner to how municipal court cases in your own community are conducted. If found guilty, the inmate’s sentence depends upon the severity of the offense. Disciplinary sentencing is mandated by Kansas regulations and consists of a wide range of consequences from being placed in disciplinary segregation to receiving a verbal reprimand. 

The inmate also is permitted to appeal Class I and Class II convictions to the Secretary of Corrections’ designee whose decision is final. 

The disciplinary process is explained in the Inmate Rule Book which is given to every inmate during the intake process. Inmates are strongly urged to read the book because rule infractions may adversely affect their incarceration and good time, if eligible. More information is available in KAR 44-13-101 and  IMPP 11-119 Decision Making: Documentation of the Disciplinary Process.

How does an inmate address grievances?
Before utilizing the grievance procedure, the inmate should try to reach an informal resolution with staff who work with the inmate on a direct or daily basis. Inmate request forms should be used to document this process. If this informal resolution attempt fails, the first level of the grievance system may then be used. If an emergency exists and a resolution could not be obtained by going to the unit team, the inmate may go directly to the grievance process. The grievance procedure incorporates several levels of problem solving to ensure solution at the lowest administrative level possible before moving to the next step:

• Level 1: The inmate submits a grievance report form to an unit team member.
• Level 2: If not resolved, the inmate submits the grievance report form to the Warden
• Level 3: If not resolved, the inmate submits the grievance report form to the Secretary of Corrections.

____________________________________________________________________________

Custody classification is how inmates are assessed with regard to the risk they present to themselves, other inmates, staff and the community. The standard set of objective criteria includes:

• Length of minimum sentence
• Length of time remaining to serve
• Criminal behavior involved in the current offense
• Past criminal behavior
• Escape history/characteristics
• Institutional adjustment
• Behavioral characteristics (suicidal, predatory, etc.)
• Special needs (protective custody, etc.)

Also considered are such issues as inmate performance in sex offender treatment, detainers, absconding supervised release, gang involvement, pending disciplinary issues and civil commitment issues. This system was developed to promote public safety and institutional order while providing guidelines to place inmates in the least restrictive level of supervision required based upon their assessed level of risk. The KDOC has five custody levels in KDOC facilities: special management, maximum custody, high-medium custody, low-medium custody and minimum custody.

Custody Classification Level System

• Special Management

Describes an inmate who, because of either a short-term or long-term condition surrounding his/her incarceration, requires segregation from the general population. Housing within a segregation unit and highly structured movement within that unit is required. The inmate is out of his/her cell one hour out of every 24 hours, five days a week.

• Maximum Custody
  Describes an inmate who is most suitable for housing at a maximum-security facility and whose movement and activities within that facility are highly structured and closely monitored. 

• High-medium Custody
  Describes an inmate who is most suitable for housing at a medium- or maximum-security facility, except HCF-East Unit and NCF-Central Unit. The inmate is not approved for an open-dormitory environment. Within the facility assigned, activities and movements are moderately controlled and structured.
• Low-medium Custody
  Describes an inmate who is most suitable for housing at a medium- or maximum-security facility or unit. The inmate can be assigned to dormitory-style living units. Low-medium custody inmates may be allowed greater movement within the perimeter. Low-medium custody inmates may be housed at HCF-East Unit or NCF-Central Unit.
• Minimum Custody
  Describes an inmate who is appropriate for housing at any level of security, with minimum security preferred.
 

When will an inmate know his/her custody classification?
Each inmate receives a classification review:

• upon reception;
• upon admission as a condition violator;
• at regularly scheduled intervals (120 day or annuall)y following admission; and,
• as unscheduled events occur that trigger a re-classification.

____________________________________________________________________________