• Education
• Reentry
• Inmate Clubs & Opportunities
• Wild Horses (Kansas Correctional Industries)
  
• CARES & Lucky Dog Program
• Recycling
• Print Shop
• Private Industries

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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Education 
The KDOC contracts with Southeast Kansas Education Service Center (Greenbush) to provide educational and vocational services. 

• Barton Community College
  Provides on-site educational opportunities through a U.S. Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training (CBJT) Grant Program.
• Manufacturing Skills Certification (MSC):  The MSC course provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain entry level work on the shop floor of almost any manufacturing or construction company. The eight-hour credit course consists of five classes:  OSHA 10 Safety Course, basic shop math, blueprint reading/geometric dimensions, precision measurement and employability skills.
• Welding Certification:  The welding instruction provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain an entry-level welding job. The course covers welding for various types of metals, including oil field pipe and aluminum. The 16-hour credit course consists of six classes: OSHA 10 Safety Course, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, blueprint ready for welders and cutting processes.
• Plumbing Certification:  The plumbing instruction provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain an entry level plumbing job in either the residential or commercial areas. Training is provided utilizing numerous types of tools that will be encountered in the plumbing industry. The course allows the student hands-on experience in using PVC, copper, steel, and Pex pipe and fittings. The nine-hour credit course consists of the following classes: OSHA Safety Training, Plumbing I, Plumbing II and Shop Practicum. 
• Internet and Computing Core Certification: This two-course program provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the Certiport IC-3 certification examination. The three credit hour course includes instruction in introduction to computers and computer concepts and cpplications.  
• GED Instruction/Testing: This course provides GED instruction and preparation throughout a 40-hour workweek. 
• Work Ready Instruction/Testing: This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the Work Ready certification examination. The program includes classes in reading, locating information and mathematics.

Medical

ECF's medical services encompass many areas of resident medical needs. In addition to the 24-hour nursing care that is available, a physician is on site 20 hours per week and a dentist is on site 30 hours each week. Services include medical screenings and physical exams; dental exams and prophylaxis with treatment that include oral surgery and limited prosthetics; optometry needs for prescribing and fitting of eye wear; ancillary services for laboratory values and x-rays; referral entities for specialty needs of brace/limb prosthetics; orthopedic consultations and surgeries; neurosurgical and neurological consultations; ophthalmological consultations for general surgical conditions; general medical diagnosis and treatments; internal medicine diagnosis and treatments; and other specialty referrals subject to approval of the state medical director. The chronic care clinic currently provides services in the following areas:  pulmonary, hypertension, diabetic, cardiac, epileptic, positive HIV, TB prophylaxis, past positive TB prophylaxis and hyperthyroidism.

Mental Health
The mental health department’s overall goal is to provide services that encourage and assist the resident in making positive changes and meeting his individual needs. The mental health therapy program provides a variety of services which include mental health group counseling, intensive groups, individual counseling, psychiatric intervention, crisis intervention, psychological evaluations, activity therapy, discharge planning, tele-psychiatry to assist in the management of inmates on psychotropic drugs and on-call services. In addition, mental health professionals provide staff instruction on the assessment and management of the resident population. 

Inmate Responsibility and Accountability Model (RAM) Training
The desired result of this training is that the participants will utilize the tools in their daily life. They can also apply the tools when they are released and strengthen their ability to remain on post-release supervision. The focus is on the behavior cycle, errors in thinking, thinking reports and problem resolution techniques. The course has been re-configured as a therapeutic group and targets those who successfully completed a previous group. The group meets once a week for 24 weeks.

NON-CONTRACTED PROGRAMS

Religion
The goal and objective of chaplaincy services is to assist inmates in achieving individual spiritual growth. Services are held weekly for Catholic, protestant, Muslim, Moorish Science Temple of America, Jehovah Witness, United Tribes, Wicca, Buddhist, Assembly of Yahweh, Latter Day Saints, Judaism, Rastafarian and Asatru studies for inmates wishing to attend. A Native American Sweat Lodge ceremony is held on the third Sunday of each month and a pow wow is held quarterly. A variety of counseling services are available, including marriage, crisis, family, individual sessions and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.

Numerous volunteers conduct religious services, bible studies and assist with other inmate activities.

To further support this mission, a free-standing Spiritual Life Center (SLC) has been constructed at ECF. The total cumulative cost of this capital improvement funding project was approximately $361,000. This project was accomplished primarily through the efforts of volunteers and facility staff using inmate labor. Project funding came exclusively from donations received from churches, individuals, corporations and grants from private foundations.   

Reentry

• Central Kansas Reentry Program (CKRP)

CKRP primary objective is to ensure inmates have the opportunity to improve their probability of a successful return to society. The program utilizes partnerships with corrections agencies, law enforcement, victim services, mental health services, medical health providers, political and community representatives, employers and employment agencies, landlords, housing authorities and faith-based organizations. 

CKRP’s target population consists of inmates who are assessed with high risks and needs in specific areas of their lives, are releasing to the Central Kansas area within a 90-minute radius of the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and who are within 12-14 months from their scheduled release. Once assessed for needs in their high risk-to-reoffend areas, these individuals are referred to groups, classes and workshops designed around their case management plan to target their specific needs. The primary areas of focus include but are not limited to:

• Thinking for a Change – focuses on the process of acceptance of social controls, the constructs of our environment, understanding thought patterns and ramifications of actions.
• Job Readiness Training - designed to increase the likelihood of employment stability through education, career assessments, resume building, interview proficiency and networking.
• Family Transitions –  emphasizes creating positive rewards and value systems in relationships including how to avoid and handle conflicts.
• Transitional Planning – focuses on housing and reentry in the community and seeking out pro-social rewards and support systems.
• Money Matters – provides instruction on financial matters such budgeting, managing bank accounts and incorporating savings and retirement plans into a financial plan.
• Interventions – focuses on daily functioning and emotional interventions that address primary life stressors.

Pro-social supports are also a highlight of CKRP. Families attend quarterly family workshops in the community to speak with reentry and parole staff regarding release planning and community transitions.Providing community supports to individuals assures the best chance for their success. Reentry staff will continue working with the individual and their parole supervisor post-release offering services and mediation as needed until societal stability is achieved and the individual advances through the commencement process.   

Bicycle Refurbishing Program
Established in 1999, the program employs 12 inmates who repair and refurbish bicycles that are then donated to less fortunate individuals in Kansas communities and throughout the United States. The bicycle parts and materials are obtained through donations by individuals, law enforcement agencies and civic organizations.

Recreation
Inmates participate in recreational or leisure time activities depending upon their physical ability, fitness and acceptable behavior. The program targets physical and mental fitness, promotes productive leisure time, and includes intramural, social and cultural programming in addition to special events. The gym and yard are open seven days a week for inmate use. 

Community Access Network (CAN), Inc.
Implemented in 2003, this project is a not-for-profit collaborative initiative comprised of representatives from various Kansas government organizations and community partners. The purpose of CAN is to develop an online resource to promote social issues, identify available services, and provide community statistics surrounding social issues and services.

Wheels for the World 
Established in 1993, this outreach program for Joni and Friends Ministries refurbishes used wheelchairs that are distributed throughout the world. ECF’s program also manugactures universal footrests that are shipped to other distribution centers. Additionally, the program produced a new all-terrain attachment which allows individuals in various areas of the world to maneuver a wheelchair in rough terrain. The program's ECF supervisors are often called upon to lend their support in training and technical advice to setup similar programs in other states and countries. The program contracts with Personal Energy Transportation Kansas from Moundridge, Kan., to build parts for hand-cranked carts that are needed by those who lost the use of their legs due to polio, landmine injuries or amputation.  

Library
The library provides recreational, educational, legal and other information resources contributing to the development of the inmates in their physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual well-being. The library has approximately 12,000 books, receives about 30 newspapers and magazines and provides reference collection of encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories and other ready reference books. The collection is supplemented by an efficient, state-wide inter-library loan service. Inmates are provided access to all the legal documents, cases, statutes, administrative rules and case notes through the computerized LexisNexis system. The library also provides photocopying services and typewriters for inmates doing legal work. 

Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services (CARES), Inc.
Since 1999, the CARES group has worked with ECF inmates who teach puppies basic obedience and socialization skills during a three- to six-month period.Once these skills are mastered, the dogs are placed with individuals who have a variety of challenges (physical, mental or emotional). 

Work Programs
ECF’s policy is to provide inmates with a variety of meaningful work/program assignments patterned after a typical workday in the community. Assignments are designed to encourage inmates to develop desirable work habits and skills while engaging in work projects for ECF and the State of Kansas. 

An inmate employment assessment and job assignment program has been established at ECF which is utilized to ensure inmates are assigned jobs commensurate with their technical skills and to encourage inmates to possess positive behavioral characteristics. In addition, inmates are assigned to work crews to obtain on-the-job training which allows them to develop their work skills and assist them with reintegration into society.

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden

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Wardens
Don Langford Martin J. Sauers Dan Schnurr Johnnie Goddard Sam Cline Raymond N. Roberts L.E. Bruce Robert Harrison Michael A. Nelson		2019-present 2016-2019 2011-2016 2007-2011 2003-2007 1999-2003 1992-1999 1990-1992 1987-1990

ECF Timeline
1986	The Kansas Legislature approved construction of a correctional facility to house 96 minimum-custody youthful inmates convicted of non-violent crimes.
1987	Ellsworth is selected as the location to receive the new facility that will house 252 medium-custody inmates. The facility will be called the Ellsworth Correctional Work Facility (ECWF).
	Michael A. Nelson is named ECWF’s first Warden. (Additional administrative staff was added in 1988.)
1988	The word “Work” is removed from the title of the facility.
	The first inmates were transferred to ECF to help with construction of the facility.
	The Kansas Legislature approved an expansion of the original project to provide housing for 516 multi-custody inmates.
1990	Governor Mike Hayden and KDOC Secretary Steve Davies dedicated the facility at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 5.
1994	For two years, the facility housed parole condition violators, conditional release violators and post-release supervision violators KDOC wanted to house separately from the general prison population.
1995	The Department of Corrections began assessing offender fees for the following:  administrative fees for management of inmate trust fund accounts ($1.00 per inmate, per month); sick call ($2.00 per inmate-initiated visit); and urinalysis testing ($5.35 per confirmed positive test).
2000	Kansas Legislature approved construction of a 100-cell maximum security unit at ECF. Due to increasing numbers of medium custody inmates in the system, the unit is currently being utilized to house medium custody inmates and facility's segregation population.
2004	ECF’s Spiritual Life Center was constructed entirely with private donations to provide religious programs to inmates.
2006	Then-Senator Sam Brownback, contemplating a presidential run in 2008, spent the night at ECF and met with inmates on May 31.
2012	In the fall, a minimum-security unit (ECF East Unit) opened in the southeast corner of Ellsworth, housing 95 inmates, increasing the total operating capacity at the ECF Central and East Units to 915.

 

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden

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Inmate visitation will NOT be provided on the following state holidays, unless the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, or other day where the facility has regularly scheduled visitation:  New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day and the day after Thanksgiving.

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History |  Warden
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Within the program division, unit teams manage the inmate population assigned to each housing unit. A unit team manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the housing unit. Uniformed staff and corrections counselors are also part of each unit team. The unit team's purpose is to decentralize programs and operations to provide more individual attention to the inmate population and to respond to the needs of individual inmates. 

An individualized treatment program is developed, implemented and maintained for each inmate by unit team staff. The unit teams provide services to inmates in the form of work assignments, progress reviews, attitudinal and adjustment counseling, release counseling and other matters. For unit teams, release planning for all inmates is vital to an inmate’s successful transition into society. An inmate employment assessment and job assignment program is utilized to ensure inmates are assigned jobs commensurate with their technical skills. Inmates are also assigned to work crews to obtain on-the-job training which allows them to develop work skills and assist them with reintegration into society. The records office is responsible for providing clerical support for the unit teams and for updating records of inmates received, processed and transferred into and from EDCF.

Contract services, including medical, mental health and education programs are also overseen by the deputy warden of programs.

NON-CONTRACTED PROGRAMS

Facility/Parole Interaction
Facility/parole interaction meetings convene on a monthly basis for parole and facility staff to make presentations to inmates who will be releasing in 30 to 60 days. Discussions occur surrounding the 12 standard conditions of parole to dispel common myths and beliefs about post release supervision. In Phase 2, conference calls occur between inmates, facility staff (IPO, Unit Manager, Counselor, Release Planner, etc.) inmate family members or home plan sponsor and other appropriate participants.

SKIP
The Kansas Strengthening Kids of Incarcerated Parents (KS-SKIP) program is a model program designed to connect incarcerated parents to their children prior to release from prison. The initial phase of the KS-SKIP program is a 13-week parenting class that focuses on increasing the father's understanding of their role as a parent, in spite of incarceration. The goal is to strengthen the father-child relationship prior to release and to prepare fathers to reconnect with their child/children. The second phase is Play and Learn groups. The groups are mobile preschool environments where parents and children gather to play and learn together under the supervision of trained facilitators. Each week for 8-12 weeks, fathers turn an adult space into a playgroup environment for their children. When children arrive at the facility, fathers become the primary caregiver for that hour and a half session. The program's third phase includes support to the caregivers. Concurrent to the Play and Learn group, a support group is offered for the caregivers of the children.

FLIP
Directed at segregation inmates, FLIP (Fundamental Lessons in Psychology) consists of various psychological topics including: anger management, anxiety, assertiveness, cognitive self-change, depression, general mental health, grief, loss and forgiveness, men’s issues/adjustment and self-esteem. 

Chaplaincy
EDCF has two full time chaplains who facilitate, coordinate, and oversee religious programs for the Central Unit. There are over 24 different groups facilitated by the Chaplain's office including Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, Asatru, Assembly of Yahweh, Buddhist, Church of Christ Study, House of Yahweh, Innerchange, Islamic Study, Jehovah's Witnessess, Jewish Study, Latter Day Saints, Mennonite Study, Moorish Science Temple, Native Americans, Pentecostal Worship, Non-Catholic Christian Study, Sunday Services, Rastafarian, Roman Catholic Study/Mass, Seventh Day Adventists, Spanish Speaking Bible Study and Wicca.  The Chaplain's office provides greeting cards and reading materials to inmates as they are provided by donations.  This office also provides premarital counseling, grief counseling, memorial services and emergency notification for families of inmates.  Additionally, counseling is provided for inmates with families, and counseling and assistance is provided to staff as needed and requested.  The chaplains coordinate volunteer services for approximately 250 volunteers, provide training to both volunteers and facility staff, work with local community leaders and clergy and lead worship services for inmates.

Spritual Life Center
Opened in June 2010, the Spiritual Life Center is an 11,500 sq. foot structure designed to support the spiritual needs of inmates. Constructed primarily through the efforts of inmate labor, volunteers, and facility staff, project funding, furnishings, and equipment have come exclusively from donations received from individuals, corporations and foundation grants. The Spiritual Life Center provides space to an increased number of inmates to attend religious services along with housing support groups such as AA and Life Skills training.  The building contains a large chapel area, a multi-purpose room, five classrooms, a library, two chaplain's offices and a conference room.  

Transitional Segregation Program (Segregation to Society (STS)) 
Aimed at long-term segregation inmates who have 12 to 16 months until release, the program provides a number of tools necessary for the transition to the community. Inmates in this setting have been more restricted in their movement and access to others and have not been able to attend release and re-entry classes. In-cell assignments are conducted through handouts, workbooks, manuals, etc. Instruction is provided directly to inmates by trained staff. 

Behavior Modification Program (BMP)
The BMP is a program designed to deal with transitioning segregation inmates in a stratified behavior modification program based on increased steps of privileges for demonstrated appropriate behavior and program compliance. The nine-month, cognitive-based program integrates inmates in a 3-step process that includes portions of Thinking for a Change, Motivation for Change, PAD (Positive Attitude Development), and Anger Management programs.

• Step 1: Consists of the Positive Attitude Development program (9 weeks) and the Positive Communication Development (3 weeks).
• Step 2: Consists of the Positive Communication Development (12 weeks) and the Self Actualization program (12 weeks).
• Step 3: Consists of inmates participating in at least two general population groups per week. The programs are Road to Recovery, Life Skills, FLIP: Fundamental Lessons in Psychology, Meditation, Crochet and Communication.

Added to the program is an additional three months of monitoring under intensive supervision. 

Offender Workforce Development (OWDS)
OWDS works with inmates to address internal and external barriers and assesses individual interests and skills in preparation for job readiness. OWDS assists with developing such job search skills as developing a resume, completing an application, conducting a job search, honing interview skills and discussing how to address the inmate's felony conviction.

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History |  Warden
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• The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the death penalty laws in 40 states, including Kansas, in 1972. After several previous attempts, the 1994 Legislature enacted a death penalty law, which Governor Joan Finney allowed to become law without her signature. The statute took effect on July 1, 1994.
• Kansas statute established the death penalty by lethal injection as a sentencing option for offenders 18 years of age and older who are convicted of capital murder (K.S.A. 21-3439).
• A number of inmates have been convicted of capital murder but sentenced to life in prison (with a minimum term of 25 years to parole eligibility) instead of death.
• Kansas does not have a separate “death row.” Inmates sentenced to death are typically housed in El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF), along with other inmates who are in administrative segregation.
• Inmate Scott Cheever was sentenced to death for the murder of Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels. Inmate Cheever is held in the Administrative Segregation Unit at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) due to the number of friends and family of Sheriff Samuels who are employed at EDCF.
• In the event that a female inmate is sentenced to death, she will be held at the Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF), the only facility for female inmates in Kansas.
• Inmates managed at EDCF or TCF will be transferred to the Lansing Correctional Facility within a week of the scheduled date of the execution.
• The average annual cost of incarceration at the El Dorado Correctional Facility for Fiscal Year 2016 was $25,596.
 

• End-of-month Population Report
• Population Report
• Annual Report
• Newsroom
 

General Publications: KDOC Facilities Management

• Inmate Custody Classification Handbook (Men)
• Inmate Custody Classification Handbook (Women)
• KDOC Capital Improvement Plan (Five Year)
• 2014 Report on Serious Offenses Committed by Sex Offenders while in Custody of Secretary (Report to the Legislature)
 

PREA

• Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA): Annual Reports
• PREA Audit Summary Reports

ARCHIVED PUBLICATIONS

• ARCHIVED: Reports on Serious Offenses Committed by Sex Offenders while in Custody of Secretary (Reported to the Legislature)
• ARCHIVED: Offender Programs Evaluation Reports
• ARCHIVED: Capital Improvement Plans

Community & Field Services Publications | Juvenile Services Publications

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