Earning a living wage is a cornerstone of success for individuals released from prison. A living wage is a legal means to secure housing and transportation, pay off obligations to courts and victims, access ongoing treatment for substance abuse and mental health needs, and support themselves and their families. This increases the likelihood that an individual can remain crime free while improving the safety of Kansas communities.

KDOC residents who gain a livable wage job upon release are one-third less likely to return to prison.

• KDOC estimates 98% of current residents serving a prison sentence in Kansas will return to the community.

• Over 6,000 persons release from Kansas prisons in a typical year.

• Individuals on post release supervision struggle to find and sustain employment. On June 30, 2020, 37% of males (n=2,021) and 37% of females (n=267) on post release supervision were employed

• KDOC-sponsored research on Kansas prison residents found that a resident’s ability to earn a living wage upon release was improved by:

• Completion of a GED: 6% increase.
• Completion of one or more certification course: 8% increase
• Completion of one college course: 20% increase.
• Holding an industry job six months or longer while incarcerated: 25% increase.

Employers

If you are an employer interested in hiring KDOC residents, email KDOC_CareerCampus@ks.gov
 or call 785-296-3317.

Three Stories

In early 2020, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly visited three private industries that employ KDOC residents. Interviews with the Governor, business owners and residents illustrate the life-changing opportunities these experiences have for residents, and the impact on both the Kansas economy and employers looking for skilled employees.

CSG

CSG + KDOC from Trevor Mowry on Vimeo.

Seat King

KDOC + Seat King from Trevor Mowry on Vimeo.

MAICO

KDOC + Maico from Trevor Mowry on Vimeo.

Mustangs on the Move

Since 2001, residents at Hutchinson Correctional Facility have aided the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in alleviating the over-population of wild horses on federal lands in the western United States. Left unchecked, the horses can multiply to the extent that the land would not sustain their numbers, resulting in starvation and other problems for these animals.

Through a cooperative agreement between the BLM and Kansas Correctional Industries (KCI), a self-supporting unit under the direction of the Kansas Department of Corrections, a dozen minimum-custody residents care and train the wild horses with the goal of making them suitable for adoption. The program also provides resident work opportunities that help residents reintegrate back into the community. With the ability to house up to 499 horses, KCI uses donated materials to train horses rounded up by the BLM. KCI also receives a per diem for housing and care of the horses. Each spring, KCI holds a horse auction with the sales benefitting the BLM to continue the program’s funding. Horses not adopted are transferred to long-term holding locations where they live out their lives. The BLM estimates approximately 14,000 wild horses will need to be relocated and held until the current crisis abates.

For more information about the program,
visit the Bureau of Land Management’s web site at:
www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the requirements for adopting a wild horse?
The potential owner must attain an approved application through the BLM. Upon approval, please contact Kansas Correctional Industries at (620) 625-7515, Monday through Friday, for more information.

How much does it cost to adopt an untrained wild horse?
Persons adopting untrained wild horses from Kansas Correctional Industries are charged a $125 fee that is forwarded to the BLM to cover administrative costs.

Can a person purchase a horse that is saddle trained?
Yes. Selected horses that have been saddle trained are available for purchase.

What is the cost of a saddle trained horse?
The current price for a saddle-trained mare or stud horse is $125.

What is considered to be a successful trained horse?

• Easy mounting and dismounting
• Knows the commands for walk, trot, lope and keeps its head and body collected
• Can turn either direction, stop and back up on command
• Can pick up all four feet
• Can load and unload in a four-horse trailer
  
  

Where do I get more information about how to adopt a trained or untrained horse from Kansas Correctional Industries (KCI)?

For more information, please contact:
Kansas Correctional Industries
(620) 625-7515
OR
Bureau of Land Management
(866) 4MUSTANGS

When are horses available for adoption?
Horses are available for adoption through Kansas Correctional Industries Monday through Friday by appointment.

Kansas Correctional Industries | Hutchinson Correctional Facility
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Warden Hazel M. Peterson

Warden Peterson began her career with the Kansas Department of Corrections in November of 1992 when she was hired to work in the kitchen at the Norton Correctional Facility. She remained in food service until May of 1996 when she was selected to serve as a Corrections Counselor I. After serving as a Corrections Counselor I for two years, she was promoted to Corrections Counselor II in May of 1998 and later became a Corrections Manager I in May of 2004. In October of 2010, she was promoted to Corrections Manager II. On February 25, 2018, she was selected to serve as the facility's Deputy Warden and served in this capacity until assuming her new role as Warden in October of 2019. 

Hazel has valuable experience in the development and delivery of cognitive services and programming and has been selected to assist and lead many statewide initiatives aligning with classification processes, re-entry, and cognitive-based programming. She attended Barton County Community College, completed the Kansas Department of Corrections Leadership Academy, and has nearly 30 years of experience in the field of Corrections. 

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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Warden Tommy Williams

Tommy Williams was named the warden at El Dorado Correctional Facility in February 2022.

Williams began his career with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) in June 1984. His work assignments have included corrections officer and corrections specialist in the training department where he co-founded KDOC’s Defensive Tactics program. He has also served as an investigator for Enforcement Apprehension Investigations (EAI), corrections counselor and unit team manager.

He is an active member of the American Correctional Association and United States Deputy Wardens Association. While in Hutchinson, Williams served on the board for Sexual Assault Domestic Violence of Reno County and two terms as a commissioner for the Human Relations Commission of Hutchinson. He is an alumnus of both Leadership Reno County and Kansas Leadership Center of Wichita. Williams teaches martial arts at the American Karate and Martial Science where he has been the chief instructor and owner for over 30 years. He is a three time inductee into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History |  Warden
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A volunteer is one who enters service of his/her own free will.  At WCF that service is to selflessly perform acts of kindness and to offer time and talents voluntarily to benefit others, primarily the inmates of WCF.  The State of Kansas provides for the basic human needs of food and lodging, in addition to basic educational and vocational services to assist inmates to become productive, law-abiding citizens upon their release.  However, due to budgetary constraints, staffing is not available to provide many other services which can benefit offenders. That is where volunteers can greatly assist.

What is Needed?

Activities and programs for which volunteers are needed include:

Art classes  -  Music  - Library assistance  

Bible study  -  Religious activities  -  Clerical assistance  -  Counseling

Alcoholics Anonymous  - Narcotics Anonymous  -  Mentoring   

Sports - Reaching Out From Within (offender self-help)

If you prefer, you may assist by donating appropriate books, music, DVD's, or worship-related items (i.e.-communion supplies).  You may also donate art supplies, dog food, pet supplies, etc.  All donated materials must be given to the Volunteer Coordinator for approval prior to usage by inmates.

How do I volunteer?

There is no minimum time, so whether you are willing to donate a few hours a month or several hours a week, we welcome your interest and assistance.  The criteria for becoming a volunteer are:

• Willingness to serve others selflessly
• Willing to work in a multi-cultural environment with respect for others
• Be at least 21 years old
• Be of good character, willing to model positive citizenship
• Not be on any inmate's visiting list
• Have no recent felony convictions
• Must pass a background check
• Willing to comply with rules and regulations
• Willing to complete required training and work under the direct supervision of the facility Chaplain

Volunteer Training

Training for volunteer service occurs in February, June, August, and October.  The training sessions are from 8:00 am to noon. 

If you would like to volunteer for any religious or programmatic offerings, or if you have any questions, call

WCF Chaplain & Volunteer Coordinator, 620-221-6660, ext. 56026

If you would like to volunteer to assist with activities such as sporting events, art, library, or holiday activities, call

Activities Specialist, 620-221-6660, ext. 56256

Overview | Visitor Information | History | Warden
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Volunteer News
Volunteer Opportunities
Why Volunteer? 

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi

• Lansing Correctional Facility depends upon the assistance of volunteers who work throughout the facility. People are able to volunteer for educational purposes to help residents with life skills, help with different religious studies or to assist with sports and athletic events. Volunteers also may assist staff with clerical duties. Volunteers may help weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. 
 

Who can be a volunteer?

• Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older.
• Volunteers can be of any race, gender or ethnic group.
• Volunteers do not have to have any special education.
• Volunteers cannot have a close family member currently incarcerated with the Kansas Department of Corrections.
• Volunteers cannot be on a visiting list of any offender in Kansas Department of Corrections.
• Volunteers can be ex-offenders, and is decided on by a case-by-case basis.

 

To Become a Volunteer

1. Volunteers complete a volunteer application packet* and security check.
2. Volunteers receive approval from the volunteer group’s representative and volunteer services coordinator.
3. Volunteers complete the Lansing Correctional Facility volunteer training and commit to five visits to the facility per year.

For more information or to request a volunteer packet contact:

Laura Phillippi (e-mail)
Volunteer Services Coordinator

Lansing Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 2
Lansing, KS 66043

(913) 727-3235 ext. 58243
Fax: (913) 250-2755

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | Volunteers | History | Warden
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