Please see "inmate communications" under the facilities' section for details on establishing accounts for electronic messages and telephone. For frequently asked questions about mail, electronic messages and telephone service, click the links below.

Mail

Electronic Messages

Telephone

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PLEASE NOTE: COLD CASE PLAYING CARDS have been distributed to all Correctional Facilities. They are not currently available for the general public to purchase. Those eligible to purchase through Kansas Correctional Industries can do so at https://kansasci.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=10534.

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• April 25, 2022 Media Release
• Background/Development

2022 Cold Case Playing Cards (pdf)

Other states have solved multiple cold case homicides, missing person cases or suspicious deaths through the use of specially created playing cards.  Distributed to residents of state correctional facilities and county jails, these cards highlight case information in hope that persons familiar with a case will come forward with a fruitful tip.

As an example, Connecticut has produced multiple decks and has solved 20 cases with their program. For more information about Connecticut’s program, visit their website by clicking here.

For more information about the project in Kansas, please email KDOC_Cold_Case_Cards@ks.gov.

If you have any information regarding a Kansas Cold Case, please call 1-800-KS-CRIME.

Resources and Links:

KDOC Office of Victim Services - Office of Victim Services — (ks.gov)

KBI Victims Assistance - KBI - Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Law Enforcement Victims Assistance Program

AG’s Victim Services Division - Victim Services - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

Crime Victims Compensation - Victim Compensation - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

Remembrance Receptions - Crime Victims Remembrance Recptions - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

KBI Unsolved Cases - KBI - Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Governor's Reward

Kansas Missing and Unsolved - Kansas Missing & Unsolved - Home | Facebook

CrimeStoppers

            Wichita - Crime Stoppers of Wichita - Sedgwick County (wichitasedgwickcountycrimestoppers.com)

Media coverage:

Detectives looking for help before cold case grows colder (kwch.com)

FF12 Investigation: Detectives believe murdered restaurant owner knew his killer (kwch.com)

Police have suspect in 2013 cold-case murder (kwch.com)

Playing cards are a new strategy in solving cold cases in Kansas

Podcasts:

 8/11/2022

Dealing Justice – Joshua Jernagin

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-of-hearts-joshua-jernagin-ks-deck/id1504742935?i=1000575837452

7/15/2022

Dealing Justice – Ernie Ortiz

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-of-hearts-ernie-ortiz-ks-deck/id1504742935?i=1000569975929

6/13/2022

Dealing Justice – Gary Leo Nelson

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-of-spades-gary-leo-nelson-ks-deck/id1504742935?i=1000568393131

 News stories:

8/28/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Glenna Bullard

https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/29/kansas-cold-cases-glenna-bullard/

 8/14/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Anna Marie Baldwin

https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/15/kansas-cold-cases-anna-marie-baldwin/

 8/8/2022

Families of Kansas’ cold case victims find new hope for answers from an unexpected source — the state’s prisoners

https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/families-of-kansas-cold-case-victims-find-new-hope-for-answers-from-an-unexpected-source-the-states-prisoners/

 7/31/2022

https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/01/kansas-cold-cases-margaret-tighe/

 7/17/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Nelson Jones

https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/18/kansas-cold-cases-nelson-jones/

 7/10/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Carla Avery, Eric Avery, Tamesha Lee, Marvin Woods

https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/11/kansas-cold-case-carla-avery-eric-avery-tamesha-lee-marvin-woods/

 7/3/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Tirell Ocobock

https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/04/kansas-cold-cases-tirell-ocobock/

 6/13/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: James Winston III

https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/13/kansas-cold-cases-james-winston-iii/

 6/6/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Charles Giles

https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/06/kansas-cold-cases-charles-giles/

5/31/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Gary Leo Nelson

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/30/kansas-cold-cases-gary-leo-nelson/

 5/27/2022

Cold case project renews hope for family of Beloit murder victim

Cold case project renews hope for family of Beloit murder victim (kwch.com)

 5/24/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Arthur Goebel

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/23/kansas-cold-cases-arthur-goebel/

 5/17/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Clarence “Butch” Lavin

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/16/kansas-cold-cases-clarence-butch-lavin/

 5/9/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Joshua Jernagin

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/09/kansas-cold-cases-joshua-jernagin/

 5/2/2022

KS Cold Cases: John Waller

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/02/ks-cold-cases-john-waller/

 4/28/2022

Tirell Ocobock and John Waller homicides spotlighted in playing cards being given to Kansas inmates

https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/2022/04/28/kansas-cold-cases-inmate-playing-cards-tirell-ocobock-john-waller/7446543001/

4/27/2022

Kan. LE issue cold case playing cards to inmates to generate new leads

https://www.police1.com/investigations/articles/kan-le-issue-cold-case-playing-cards-to-inmates-to-generate-new-leads-FlmrzAy0C2twGxQf/

• Kansas detectives hope playing cards help solve dozens of cold cases

https://www.kwch.com/2022/04/25/kansas-detectives-hope-deck-playing-cards-can-help-solve-dozens-cold-cases/

• Department of Corrections, KBI announce new Cold Case playing card set

https://kvoe.com/2022/04/25/department-of-corrections-kbi-announce-new-cold-case-playing-card-set/

• Playing cards give Kansas prison inmates a chance to help solve cold cases. Here’s how

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article260740007.html

4/25/2022

1. Effort aims to heat up cold cases with playing cards for prisoners

https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/25/effort-aims-heat-up-cold-cases-with-playing-cards-prisoners/

1. Kansas detectives hope a deck of playing cards can help solve dozens of cold cases

https://www.kwch.com/2022/04/25/kansas-detectives-hope-deck-playing-cards-can-help-solve-dozens-cold-cases/

1. Former police officer, daughter of murder victim finds hope in new effort to solve cold cases

https://www.kwch.com/2022/04/25/police-officer-daughter-murder-victim-finds-hope-new-effort-solve-cold-cases/

1. Shawnee Co. cold case investigators hopeful for prison playing cards program

https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/26/shawnee-co-cold-case-investigators-hopeful-prison-playing-cards-program/

• 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.
 

1. Each visitor must present one item of positive identification at the time of each visit. Visitors may retain their vehicle keys that have no battery operated devices on key ring.
2. Visitors are permitted to bring in no more than $50.00 per person in coins/tokens money into the facility to purchase beverages from the vending machines located in each visiting area.
3. Medication of an emergency nature and/or medical equipment may be brought into the visiting room at the discretion of the Visiting Officer in Charge.
4. Visitors may not bring any personal property, except for legal papers in reasonable quantities, for the inmate to see or to leave with the inmate. Any exchange of these items must be done in front of the Visiting Room Officer. Visitors will be allowed to bring schoolbooks and papers so the inmate may help the child with homework. Family photographs will be allowed to be viewed by the inmate but the inmate will not be allowed to keep the photographs. (Polaroid's Prohibited)
5. Infant care (age 0-3 years) items are limited to the following non-glass items:

• one infant carrier
• one toy, not stuffed
• one blanket
• one pacifier
• one container pre-moistened towels
• one container baby lotion
• one diaper bag
• baby food and formula (not in glass)
• three infant bottles
• ten diapers
• one package of breast pads
• one container baby powder
• one container salve
• one change of infant clothes
• one days dose of prescription medicine
• baby stroller
 

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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1. Identification Badge and pass
2. Wedding ring.
3. Comb
4. Heart medication, medical alert braclet, necklace, or asthma inhaler
5. Approved religious medallions or necklaces
6. Legal papers approved by the facility attorney, unit team manager, or shift supervisor before entering the visiting room
7. Inmates are not allowed to wear tennis shoes to visit unless medically authorized

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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Facility Map

Central Office Contacts

• Facilities
• Inmate Communications
• Inmate Banking
• PREA Data
• Publications
• Canteen Lists
• FAQs
  
  

 Commissary menus are provided for informational purposes only

The items and prices listed here are subject to change without notice.

Overview

Upon admission, all residents are photographed, fingerprinted and placed in the Reception & Diagnostic Unit (RDU). All residents are assigned to the intake level upon admission.

Male residents are initially housed at El Dorado Correctional Facility’s (EDCF) RDU. All female residents are housed at Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) where the intake process occurs for females.

Residents are searched, showered and provided with a health evaluation. The resident's property will be inventoried and either issued to the resident or returned with officers transporting the resident to KDOC custody. Residents complete the RDU process in approximately two weeks though this time may vary. A permanent facility placement  for male residents may take up to two months. The initial classification process includes several tests, an interview and an evaluation of court documents and other information including physical, family and criminal history.

The process will determine the resident’s:

• Custody level
• Service needs
• Program needs including education
• Facility placement.

Residents also will undergo orientation. The resident will be provided with information about KDOC rules and regulations, behavioral expectations and the disciplinary process. Residents also are advised as to how to access medical, mental health, religious and educational services and programs. A staff member also will work with the resident on establishing a visiting and telephone list to communicate with family and friends.

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• Admission Property
• Visiting & Mail
• Telephone & Emergencies
• Other General RDU Questions
  

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Admission Property: Attachment H, IMPP 12-120

Upon admission to the KDOC, residents are assigned to Intake Level. Attachment H, IMPP 12-120 lists what items may be retained by resident when they are taken in to the custody of the KDOC. All other items are considered contraband.

Items not allowed by the KDOC will be subject to the policies and procedures of the facility from where the resident was held prior to KDOC custody, per IMPP 12-120, Security and Control: Control of Inmate Personal Property.

• What items are issued to an resident in RDU?
  Each inmate is provided with clean, durable and presentable clothing of the proper size that is suitable to climatic conditions, and basic hygiene items and shower shoes. Each resident also receives four pre-paid envelopes in their intake package. 
• What happens to the money that an inmate brings with him/her to RDU?
  If an inmate is in possession of any money, the funds will be placed in the inmate’s trust fund account. More information about sending money to an inmate can be found in the Inmate Banking Section. 

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Visiting and Mail 

• Can family members visit a resident in RDU?
  No. All residents in the RDU process are at the Intake Level and have not yet earned visiting privileges. Visits are limited to attorneys, clergy and law enforcement until the resident earns a promotion to Incentive Level 1. While in RDU, a resident fills out a visitation form with the names he/she would like to be granted permission for visits when the resident has moved to the next incentive level. The resident is responsible for ensuring potential visitors receive visiting applications that must be approved before visitors will be allowed in to a correctional facility. The list will be valid for 45 days after leaving RDU. More information about the application process is available in the FAQs visiting section.

Resident’s Full Name,  KDOC# XXXXX
El Dorado Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 311
El Dorado, KS 67042 

Female inmates may receive mail at: 

Resident’s Full Name,  KDOC# XXXXX
Topeka Correctional Facility
815 S.E. Rice Road
Topeka, KS 66607

Please remember to include the resident’s full name and KDOC number in the address with all correspondence or the mail will not be delivered. The envelope also must contain the sender’s full name and address as well or the letter will not be delivered. Please note that all mail is subject to search. 

Example:

For more information about resident mail, please review Kansas Administrative Regulation (K.A.R.) 44-12-601, Inmate Writing and Other Inmate Communications or Publications. Also, Internal Management Policy and Procedure (IMPP) 12-120 Secuirty and Control: Control of Inmate Personal Property provides additional information.

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Telephone and Emergencies

• Can an inmate make phone calls while in RDU?
  Yes. residents are permitted telephone privileges to make collect/pre-paid calls shortly after the reception process begins. Residents cannot receive calls. Upon admission, the resident fills out a phone list of those numbers that the resident would like to call. The resident will update the phone list every 120 days thereafter. Every number that a resident requests be added to the call list will be contacted by staff, verified and asked if the person wants to be on the resident's call list. The numbers are then activated through the facility’s phone system in approximately one week. Residents may establish a telephone list of up to 20 individual phone numbers.

If you need additional information on theresident telephone process including how to establish an account, please visit the Resident Communications section and/or review Internal Management Policy and Procedure (IMPP) 10-111 Programs and Services: Inmate Access to Facility and Coinless Telephones.  

• How can I reach a resident in an emergency?
  In the event of a verifiable emergency such as a serious illness or death in the family, you may call the facility. Callers must provide a call back number and their relation to the inmate. Staff will also need the nature of the emergency, the name of the person who is sick or has passed away, the person’s relation to the resident and the name and contact information for the hospital or funeral home.
Before the message will be given to the resident, facility staff will contact the hospital or funeral home to verify the information that you have provided concerning the emergency. Once the message is verified, the resident will be notified. Staff may discuss options with you for notifying the resident including if you would like to tell the resident or if you prefer a chaplain or counselor relay the information. 

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Other General RDU Questions

•  How does the KDOC determine where a resident will be housed?

When bed space and programming slots become available in coordination with medical consultation, a resident’s facility placement is determined. If an offender is a recent parolee or post-release violator and not a new commitment to the KDOC, theresident could be placed wherever space is available in the KDOC system based on an resident’s classification status.

• How can an resident address his/her questions while in RDU?
  A form, called a Form-9,  is available to the resident as a formal procedure to address any questions or concerns. After the form is completed, theresident must turn it in to the security staff. After receiving the Form-9, the staff will have 10 days to respond to the resident’s request. 
• What medical/dental/mental health services are available at RDU?
  Within the first three days at RDU, the resident will be assessed for medical needs. Within seven days of being newly admitted and within 30 days for parole violators, each resident receives a dental exam. If major dental work is required, this will be done once the resident is transferred out of RDU to a permanent facility. Mental health services also are available. 

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