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KJCC Graduation 12 20 2024

David Thompson — 2025-01-15T16:45:00Z

Last month, 42 students at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex walked the stage as graduates of Lawrence Gardner High School, Jobs for America's Graduates, or Washburn Institute of Technology. A milestone achievement to be remembered...as was the keynote speaker, Steve Backman, who shared stories of former students, back when he worked at the facility when it was known as the Youth Center of Topeka, or YCAT.

ECF Learning Celebration 2024

David Thompson — 2024-12-09T23:00:00Z

The 2024 Learning Celebration at Ellsworth Correctional Facility saw 128 recipients of either Associate's Degree, 18 and 32 Hour Completion toward an associate's degree, Kansas State High School or GED Diploma, Welding Certificate, or the OSHA 10 Safety Course certificate. Many of the graduates received a combination of these degrees and certificates. A lot of hard work by the graduates. And a lot of work by Barton Community College and ECF staff to help the students achieve this milestone toward a better and more secure future. Our congrats to all!

KDOC is also grateful for the support of Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran as representatives from each office was in attendance.

KDOC Honors Military Staff Members on Veterans Day 11 12 24

David Thompson — 2024-11-11T14:00:00Z

Monday is Veterans Day. It is vitally important to remember why we have this federal holiday to honor those who have served in the military, including many of our staff members. Beginning at the end of World War I in 1919, we, as Americans, commemorate our veterans by honoring their service every November 11th. This federal holiday was initially established to pay tribute to the ones who served during World War I, today, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still alive, in contrast to Memorial Day, which remembers those who passed away while serving. Those who serve in the military, say they’re not in it for the money but for the virtues of honor, duty, sacrifice, and service to our country. In many ways, such virtues make up the backbone of who we are as a country. We have many veterans in our workforce and are grateful for each one. So, as we enjoy a 3-day weekend, let us remember the fallen veterans as well as those who have served and those who are currently serving. Thank you to each of our veterans for their service to our country. And thank you to all of you for your service to our great state of Kansas.

- Jeff Zmuda, Kansas Secretary of Corrections, addressing staff members.

Horse Adoption At HCF 10 18 2024

David Thompson — 2024-10-30T20:00:00Z

Hutchinson Correctional Facility's (HCF) Horse and Burro Program recently held its annual Open House and Competitive Bid Auction Weekend. A total of 18 horses were auctioned off as well as selling 13 untouched horses and 10 burros. The weekend is a culmination of months of basic care for the horses (which are captured in the wild from mostly western and northwestern states) to actual training, under the supervision and guidance of professional trainers, correctional staff, and resident trainers in apprenticeship.

Although Wildhorse adopts all year long both trained and untouched horses. KDOC continuously trains horses year around. As we move into July of each year, we will start holding all of our trained horses for the Open House, allowing those horses to have a lot more training hours on them. This provides an opportunity for those that need a horse more than green broke to bid.

Kansas Corrections Industries and HCF officials are hoping to increase the number of Auction Weekends with one in the spring along with one in the fall.

Governor Laura Kelly highlights opening of East Campus at Lansing unit

David Thompson — 2024-10-25T23:00:00Z

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was our keynote speaker and honorary ribbon-cutter as KDOC celebrates the grand opening of Lansing Correctional Facility's East Campus. It’s the first ever substance use recovery and work release unit within Kansas prisons.

Helping to equip residents within this 200-bed minimum security unit, the program will help build a path to successful re-entry into the community.

KJCC's first ever graduates from Aramark Culinary Program

David Thompson — 2024-10-24T20:00:00Z

Congratulations are in order for 3 residents at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. They are the first ever graduates of the Aramark IN2WORK culinary program at KJCC. The program allows students to learn kitchen basics; food service management; and take a final exam to earn a certification that is recognized throughout the food and restaurant industry. IN2WORK has been well received across the adult population and in this first with KJCC, are seeing the fruits of the labors of many people involved.
KDOC is grateful for our partnership with Aramark and its workers who help instill a vision for opportunities in culinary arts.
We also want to thank the KJCC staff for their support!

KDOC Turns Keys to Old Kansas State Penitentiary/LCF to LHS

David Thompson — 2024-09-09T20:00:00Z

KDOC officially hands over the keys to the old Kansas State Penitentiary/Lansing Correctional Facility to the Lansing Historical Society. Great work by the Kansas Legislature, spearheaded by Senator Jeff Pittman of Leavenworth. Doors open Friday, September 13, 2024 for tours which will be hosted by former staff and residents as well as other volunteers.

Kansas Executive Order 18-04 (Sexual Harassment)

Nancy Burghart — 2024-07-23T14:46:52Z

Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week 2024

David Thompson — 2024-07-22T12:55:00Z

In recognition of the 23rd annual Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week (PPPS), the Kansas Department of Corrections is proud to recognize, honor, and celebrate the work of our Parole Officers throughout KDOC. We thank and commend our Parole Supervision team for all the work as well as the outstanding teamwork displayed as each office leans on one another with challenging caseloads and efforts to mitigate the risks that come with the job. This year’s theme for PPPS Week is Wellness Unveiled: Navigating the Journey. There are a myriad of traumatic stories and broken lives that our workers must wade through just to help people under supervision and guide them to a place of stability. Those journeys can take a mental toll, to say the least. So, we are grateful that this week is not only a celebration of our valued team in post supervision, but to recognize the daily grind that can impact both mind and body. So, the celebration of this week is not just about the food, fun, or activities but more importantly, about celebrating the victories of lives turned around with the help of the best post supervision team in the country.

Uncle Bully Visits KJCC

David Thompson — 2024-06-26T14:00:00Z

Film producers from Hawaii recently unveiled their latest award-winning documentary, "Uncle Bully's Surf Skool" at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. The film was about surfing instructor, Uncle Bully, who taught homeless children how to surf during COVID. It is a documentary that looks to inspire others to help or become a mentor wherever they can in an effort to build community.

Laptop Computers Issued to Barton Community College Students at Ellsworth Correctional Facility

David Thompson — 2024-06-07T12:40:00Z

An amazing groundbreaking day took place at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility! For the very first time ever in the Kansas Department of Corrections, 19 residents at ECF were issued laptop computers for their personal use in their college classes! This incredible partnership between Ellsworth Correctional Facility, Barton Community College, and Central Office Educational staff will provide an opportunity for residents to not only utilize computers during class and for their homework, but will enable residents to complete assignments in their own living area, mirroring the opportunities provided to traditional students within the community. Once residents have completed their BCC classes, the goal is to be able to participate in college classes through other colleges, allowing them to earn higher educational opportunities, including bachelor’s degrees while incarcerated.

To ensure the safety of all, this pilot program is utilizing a proprietary version of laptop that has disabled external ports and capabilities, with locked down operating systems, specifically designed for use in correctional environments. The internet being used exclusively for this program monitors all traffic through secure servers and vetted vendors. This will ensure access only to approved educational sites.

Thank you to the entire team that have worked so hard to make this dream a reality! From Central Office Educational staff who worked hard to secure funding from legislature, to Ellsworth Correctional Facility staff who will be monitoring the use of the laptops by the residents, and to Barton Community College will be guiding this incredible pilot program. Pathway for Success is alive and flourishing at Ellsworth Correctional Facility!

FY2025 Community Programs Juvenile Justice Involved Youth Programs

David Thompson — 2024-05-15T13:00:00Z

The Kansas Department of Corrections is pleased to announce the release of a grant application to help support communities in providing services to youth that are at risk for juvenile offenders and their families, juvenile’s experiencing behavioral health crisis and their families and children who have been administered a risk and needs assessment and have been identified as needing services pursuant to KSA 38-2292 (Youth identified as CINC – Child in Need of Care). Eligible Applicants: Governmental Entities and Community-based Agencies or Service Providers Applications accepted throughout the year, beginning Fiscal Year 2025. First round deadline July 15th, 2024. Applications may be submitted through the AmpliFund online

Lansing Correctional Facility's Fallen Staff Memorial 05 09 2024

David Thompson — 2024-05-09T22:00:00Z

"Working in corrections is challenging and can be dangerous. For over 150 years, the staff of the Kansas State Penitentiary now known as Lansing Correctional Facility have kept watch over those incarcerated at Lansing to keep the citizens of Kansas safe. Over the years, staff have faced acts of violence and a deadly pandemic. Nine staff members have made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out their duties at Lansing. It is hard to say farewell to those we have lost in death. However, we will never forget our fallen brothers. We will keep their memories alive in our hearts and minds. May we find comfort in remembering our friends and loved ones for how they lived. They were husbands, fathers, brothers, friends, and co-workers. Each left their mark on Lansing. Let us take time to remember the nine fallen whose footsteps we follow in."

- Jesse Howes, LCF Warden

KJCC / Kansas Childrens Discovery Ctr Visitation 02 20 2024

David Thompson — 2024-03-20T13:15:00Z

The partnership between the Kansas Department of Corrections and the Kansas Childrens Discovery Center continues to flourish within a couple of our Visitation Rooms. KCDC has held numerous on-site visits with mothers and grandmothers with their children and grandchildren on the grounds of their Topeka Museum that is filled with games and learning activities. KDOC is slowly integrating the male facilities' Visitation Rooms utilizing KCDC'S Mobile Museum. They recently opened shop for a test run at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. And last month, they made a first time visit to the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex where 5 young dads were able to see and visit their children, three of whom were seeing their newborn child for the first time.

Kansas Executive Order 19-02 (Discrimination)

Nancy Burghart — 2024-03-08T15:08:08Z