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.

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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.

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Bringing contraband in to a correctional facility can have serious consequences. To ensure the safety of visitors, staff and inmates, the items that can be brought in are severely restricted.

Traffic in contraband in a penal institution is a severity level 5 or 6, non-person felony. Traffic in contraband is defined as introducing or attempting to introduce anything not specifically allowed by the Warden of the facility. Contraband includes drugs, needles, weapons, explosives, intoxicating beverages, currency, written communication, cell phones, and more. KDOC correctional facilities do not allow tobacco and tobacco-related items such as lighters, matches, smokeless tobacco, etc.

Anyone attempting to bring in contraband of any type into a KDOC correctional facility will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Searches
Every person entering correctional facility grounds is subject to search. Every visitor may be required to clear both a metal detector and a parcel x-ray machine search. Any visitor who is unable to clear a walk-through metal detector after three attempts, will be subject to a search using a hand-held device. Any visitor who then is unable to clear the hand held metal detector will not be allowed to visit that day. Even though a visitor clears the metal detector and parcel x-ray machine search, the visitor may still be requested to submit to a pat down search and/or a strip search if reasonable suspicion is present that the visitor is in the possession of contraband.

Trained detection dogs also may be used, based on a random schedule determined by the Warden or designee, to screen and/or search any area of the facility, any person attempting to enter into a facility and vehicles entering into or parked on the facility grounds.

If you refuse a search, you may not visit that day and will also lose your visiting privileges. If you have a medical condition that does not allow you to clear through the metal detector, you will need to bring a letter from your doctor documenting your condition. 

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2. Laws : I shall obey all federal and state laws, municipal or county ordinances, including the Kansas Violent Offender Registration Act. If the Kansas Offender Registration Act is applicable to me, I will register with the local Sheriff's Office within 10 days of arrival in the county of residence upon moving to any other county in Kansas. Changes in residence within the same county requires written notification to the Sheriff's Office. If I am arrested for any reason, I will notify my parole officer at the earliest allowable opportunity.

3. Weapons : I will not own, possess, purchase, receive, sell or transport any firearms, ammunition or explosive device, or any device designed to expel or hurl a projectile capable of causing injury to persons or property, or any weapon prohibited by law.

4. Personal Conduct : I will not engage in assaultive activities, violence, or threats of violence of any sort.

5. Narcotics/Alcohol : I will not illegally possess, use, or traffic in any controlled substance, narcotics or other drugs as defined by law except as prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner. I will not consume any mind-altering substances. I agree and consent to submit to a blood, Breathalyzer or urine test at the direction of the parole officer. At no time will I consume intoxicating liquor, including beer or wine, without written permission from my parole officer. At no time will I become intoxicated from the consumption of any substance, including, but not limited to, wine, beer, glue, or paint.

6. Association : I will not associate with persons engaged in illegal activity and will obtain written permission from the parole officer and institutional director to visit or correspond with inmates of any correctional institution.

7. Employment : I agree to secure and maintain reasonable, steady employment within 45 days of my release from prison or residential treatment unless excused for medical reasons or an extension of time is given by my parole officer. I agree to notify my employer of my current and prior (non-expunged) adult felony convictions and status as an offender.

8. Education : I agree to make progress toward or successfully complete the equivalent of a secondary education if I have not completed such by the time of my release and I am capable, as determined by my parole officer.

9. Costs : I agree to pay restitution, court costs, supervision fees, and other costs as directed by my parole officer.

10. Treatment/Counseling : I agree to comply with my relapse prevention plan and the recommendations of any treatment or counseling, or assessment program which I have completed during my incarceration or while under supervision. I agree to follow any directives given to me by my parole officer regarding evaluations, placement and/or referrals. I agree to submit to polygraph examinations as directed by my parole officer and/ or treatment provider.

11. Victim : I agree to have no contact with the victim(s) in my case(s) or the victim's family by any means including, but not limited to, in person, by phone, via computer, in writing, or through a third party without the advance permission of my parole officer.

12. Search : I agree to subject to a search by parole officer(s) of my person, residence, and any other property under my control.

13. Special Conditions : I agree to abide by the special conditions(s) set forth below, as well as to comply with instructions which may be given or conditions imposed by my parole officer from time to time as may be governed by the special requirements of my individual situation.

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.
 

Secretary Jeff Zmuda was appointed by Governor Laura Kelly to lead the Kansas Department of Corrections in 2019. He was sworn in on February 5, 2020.

Prior to joining Governor Kelly’s cabinet, Jeff spent nearly 32 years in service to the Idaho Department of Corrections. More than half of that time was spent in leadership roles, as both the organization’s deputy director and chief of prisons. In these roles he coordinated with stakeholders across the state and played a key role in the operations for nine state-run facilities, including public safety initiatives, security protocols and practices, mental health care and treatment, education services and reentry programs. Jeff also has extensive experience addressing personnel and operations challenges across a correctional system.

Jeff is a firm believer that while offenders are serving their time in prison, the department and staff should be working hard to equip offenders with the resources and skills they need to be successful upon their reentry to their community. With that in mind, he has made improving reentry services and workforce readiness among inmates one of his top priorities.

Jeff and his wife Cheryl have been married for 40 years. They have three grown sons, David, Daniel and Andrew.

Download Official Photo

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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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