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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.

KDOC History

Carol Pitts — 2021-02-02T21:49:16Z

Our roots at KDOC are as old as our State, dating to the 1860’s with the establishment of the Lansing State Penitentiary. And really, our corrections roots are much older, with incarceration as a form of criminal punishment becoming wide-spread in the United States just before the American Revolution, and penal incarceration efforts in England dating to the early 1500’s with prisons in the form of dungeons existing since long before then.

That beginning was followed by different waves of change in the U.S., bringing new mechanisms such as parole, probation and indeterminate sentencing into mainstream penal practice. Equally rooted in our history is the American favor of the concept of reform and rehabilitation of offenders to become law-abiding citizens. This dates to the post-colonial days of our nation.

In more recent history, in 1973 the Kansas Legislature re-codified our purpose, which in part says “… apply this act and acts of which it is amendatory or supplemental liberally to rehabilitate, train, treat, educate and prepare persons convicted of felony in this state for entry or reentry into the social and economic system of the community….” This law remains in effect to this day. In addition, we now benefit from over four decades of scientific research defining the key principles to reducing crime, principles that align with this statutory purpose.

KDOC Employment

ACabello — 2012-12-17T19:40:00Z

Join Our Team!

Whether a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field of corrections, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) is looking for career-oriented candidates in both operational and administrative areas.

The KDOC employs more than 3,600 Kansans at eight adult correctional facilities, one juvenile correctional facility and including four satellite institutions, 20 parole offices and the KDOC’s Central Office in Topeka.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying, click on the direct link to each facility's recruiting page or go to the State of Kansas Job Site and search for open positions within KDOC.

Facility Direct Application Links		State of Kansas Job Site
El Dorado Correctional Facility	Ellsworth Correctional Facility	To search for and apply for jobs, go to Kansas Jobs Website and search by job title or location.
Hutchinson Correctional Facility [link coming soon]	Lansing Correctional Facility
Larned State Correctional Facility	Norton Correctional Facility
Topeka Correctional Facility	Winfield Correctional Facility
Wichita Work Release Facility [link coming soon]	Kansas Correctional Industries [link coming soon]
Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex

I Make a Difference by...

"This has been my calling. This is what I’m good at."

Lt. Christian Brooks//LCF

CLICK the link
Join Us Today and Make a Lasting Difference! (pdf)
to learn more!

"helping residents achieve their
education goals, which studies show
can reduce recidivism
by around 50%."
Lead GED Instructor Black

"being a positive instrument of change
in the lives of the residents and
serving KDOC as a model
for the public trust."
CCI Brill

"empowering and encouraging
positive changes in individuals
so they can achieve success
in their life."
COR Pathways King

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The Kansas Department of Corrections is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Veterans Preference Eligible (VPE)

https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/veterans

KDOC Employees Raise Money for Victim Advocate Organizations in Support of Crime Victims’ Rights Week

David Cook — 2011-08-17T16:53:39Z

Kansas Department of Corrections employees raised $1,940 as part of Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18 – 24, to support organizations throughout Kansas that provide support to crime victims.

KDOC Employees Raise Money for Victim Advocate Organizations in Support of Crime Victims’ Rights Week

David Cook — 2011-08-17T16:53:25Z

Kansas Department of Corrections employees raised $1,940 as part of Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18 – 24, to support organizations throughout Kansas that provide support to crime victims.

KDOC Employees Raise Money for Victim Advocate Organizations

cherylca — 2011-10-13T13:00:00Z

Kansas Department of Corrections employees banded together during Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 10th – 16th, to raise nearly $4,100 to support ten organizations that serve crime victims throughout the state.

KCI - Clinton Park Furniture 02 27 2026

David Thompson — 2026-03-27T17:00:00Z

The partnership between Kansas Correctional Industries, other state agencies, and other qualified organizations extends far beyond providing resident-produced goods and services. KCI’s line include paint products and street signs to metal benches and office furniture. Keeping customers pleased serves as a cornerstone for community growth and individual rehabilitation, as was the case when Clinton State Park recently unveiled its new Visitor Center complete with new chairs and desks built by residents at Lansing Correctional Facility and KCI.

KCDC Unveils Play Free Visitation Area at ECF

David Thompson — 2025-03-31T20:00:00Z

A new child-friendly visitation space at Ellsworth Correctional Facility aims to make family connections easier, thanks to a partnership between KDOC and the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. the redesigned space prioritizes the emotional and developmental needs of children visiting incarcerated parents, emphasizing a family-centered approach in the correctional system. Governor Laura Kelly praised the partnership, saying in a statement, “I am pleased to support this partnership between the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and the Kansas Department of Corrections, which takes a compassionate approach to the visitation experience. By focusing on the welfare of both parents and children, we can improve outcomes and support positive family relationships throughout the incarceration period.” Research shows that maintaining strong parent-child connections during incarceration reduces trauma, supports emotional stability, and lowers the risk of intergenerational incarceration, according to the National Institute of Justice. A similar visitation room has also opened at the El Dorado Correctional Facility, and a third is scheduled to launch at Lansing Correctional Facility April 10th.

Kansas Department of Corrections addendum to the Post Audit Report - Department of Corrections: Reviewing Allegations of Staff Misconduct (Jan 2010)

David Cook — 2011-08-17T16:53:40Z

(Posted January 29, 2010)

Kansas Department of Corrections addendum to the Post Audit Report - Department of Corrections: Reviewing Allegations of Staff Misconduct (Jan 2010)

David Cook — 2011-08-17T16:53:25Z

(Posted January 29, 2010)

Kansas Department of Corrections

cherylca — 2019-05-03T19:30:00Z

Among the nearly 300 names on the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial, the names of eight Kansas Department of Corrections officers are included.
Mark Avery	Corrections Officer, Lansing Correctional Facility	Corrections Officers Mark Avery and Michael Bidatsch were on routine duty supervising the Lansing Correctional Facility recreation hall on May 22, 1993 when they were attacked and beaten with bar bell plates and a stocking cap stuffed with pool balls. Officer Avery died the next day at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Robert D. Hurd	Corrections Officer, Kansas State Penitentiary (now Lansing Correctional Facility)	On October 11, 1981, Corrections Officer Hurd died after being stabbed by an inmate who was angered by a disciplinary report that Officer Hurd was going to file.
Donald R. Martin	Corrections Officer, Lansing Correctional Facility	On August 19, 1978, Corrections Officer Martin was killed when he was attacked and beaten by an inmate who was holding a female hostage during an escape attempt.
Paul J. Weber	Parole Officer, Kansas City Parole Office	On October 19, 1976, Parole Officer Weber was killed after he went to the home of a parolee whose mother had requested assistance in removing her son from her residence. As Officer Weber followed the parolee into the kitchen, the man seized a butcher knife and stabbed Officer Weber. The parolee was convicted of assault on a law enforcement officer and first-degree murder
Henry N. Kenaga	Corrections Officer, Kansas State Penitentiary (now Lansing Correctional Facility)	On June 20, 1954, Corrections Officer Kenaga was killed after responding to a situation in which inmates, armed with guns and knives, had rushed the visiting room and seized at least six hostages. The inmates were crossing the prison yard when they encountered Officer Kenaga who then attempted to prevent their escape. Officer Kenaga was fatally shot. After a brief exchange of gunfire and a call for additional enforcement officers, the inmates were surrounded and returned to their cells. They were charged with first-degree murder.
Lee White	Kansas State Industrial Reformatory (now Hutchinson Correctional Facility)	On July 25, 1928, Officer White was supervising five inmates who were working on the new grandstands at the state fairgrounds. Officer White was struck from behind and knocked unconscious by two inmates, Glenn Bellfield and Jake Schell. The two inmates escaped and shot a young girl while commandeering her car. White was treated by a local physician and then joined the search for the escaped inmates. White was a passenger in a vehicle with other officers during the search on July 26, 1928 when the vehicle failed to negotiate a turn and flipped. Officer White, who landed under the vehicle as it came rest, died at the scene. The others suffered minor injuries. After a cross-country manhunt the two escapees were captured following a shootout in Roswell, New Mexico on July 29, 1928.
David W. Burns	Corrections Officer, Kansas State Penitentiary (now Lansing Correctional Facility)	On December 15, 1923, Officer Burns died after being shot four times by an escaped inmate. Officer Burns had traveled to Texarkana, Texas and was on a train returning with two escapees. While traveling through Alicia, Arkansas, one of the inmates shot Officer Burns four times. Before his death, Officer Burns told the doctor tending to his wounds that he was shot with a revolver believed to have been smuggled to the escapees while at the Texarkana train depot. One escapee was later caught in Arkansas. The second escapee, who had shot Officer Burns, was located following his arrest for a robbery in Meridian, Mississippi six months after Officer Burns’ death.
William H. Owens	Corrections Officer, Kansas State Penitentiary (now Lansing Correctional Facility)	On October 5, 1905, Officer Owens died from injuries suffered during an escape that occurred the day before his death. Officer Owens had taken an inmate to conduct survey work outside the penitentiary. The inmate had delivered a severe blow to Officer Owen's solar plexus that resulted in internal bleeding and a heart attack. The inmate was quickly captured and charged with felonious assault and murder.

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K-9 Unit

Nancy Burghart — 2014-01-08T16:25:00Z

In 1978, a K-9 Unit was established at the Lansing Correctional Facility based on the Hutchinson Correctional Facility K-9 Unit program. Due to the increased awareness of narcotics trafficking and narcotics related problems within the facility, the focus of the LCF K-9 program was changed in 1994 to preventing/decreasing the flow of narcotics into the facility.

The Lansing Correctional Facility currently has one full-time handler/trainer and two part-time handlers/trainers who work with narcotic detection dogs.

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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June 2007 Newsletter

David Cook — 2011-08-17T16:53:55Z

Visit to the Wichita Eagle, employee honors, Army MOU, Immigration IMPP, new website

July 2007 Newsletter

David Cook — 2011-08-17T16:53:55Z

KDOC's Annual Report receives makeover, Leadership Development Academy graduates, new wardens appointed, Wichita Eagle representative tours new parole services building, offender workforce certification, facility and field news, sex offender treatment provider contract awarded.

January 2008 Newsletter

David Cook — 2011-08-17T16:53:58Z

KDOC inmate telephone rates decreasing, HCF Jaycees raise funds for National Guard, Aerostructures graduation, Victim Services recognition, correctional facility physical plant security improvements