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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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History (LCF)
1859	Kansas Legislature passed authorized the construction of the Kansas State Penitentiary (KCP)
1861	On November 18, a tract of 40 acres on Seven Mile Creek was purchased for $600 from Almira Budlong.
1862	John P. Mitchell served as KSP's first warden.
1863	Three directors, William Dunlap, John Wilson and S.S. Ludlum, were appointed to oversee KSP. After touring several prisons in eastern states, the group decided to model the KSP after a prison in Joliet, Illinois.
1864	Construction, accomplished using prison labor, began on the north wing near the site of what was known as the Oklahoma Jail.
1867	Following several delays due to the Civil War, the main building was completed.
1868	With the completion of the north wing, KSP began accepting prisoners in July.
1872	The dining hall was completed.
1875	A guard force of 26 men watched over 379 prisoners including 30 federal inmates. The prison also housed inmates from Oklahoma until 1909.
	Prisoners were governed by what was known as the "silent system," meaning no inmates were allowed to converse with one another under any circumstances.
1881	A need to keep inmates occupied caused the state to sink a coal shaft that would supply KSP and all other state institutions. The need to transport the coal brought in the railroads and soon the area around the prison became a railway crossroads. Houses and businesses were erected giving way for the area to be called the Town of Progress. The prison also began to manufacture twine. The coal mine  and twine operations closed in 1947 due to high operating costs and low demand.
1885	Inmates began work on the prison farm. Aside from raising crops, inmates also oversaw a dairy herd and poultry and hog farm. By 1961, the prison farm covered 2,000 acres. By 1975, farm operations were discontinued but later resumed on a reduced basis.
1896	KSP temporarily stopped admitting prisoners due to widespread alarm over the spread of small pox in Kansas.
1911	KSP opened a "tinker shop" where visitors could purchase craft items including furniture made by inmates. The shop also housed a broom manufacturing operation.
1917	The Kansas Correctional Institute - Lansing for Women (KCIL) was established as a satellite unit of KSP. The name would become the Kansas Correctional Institute at Lansing in 1983.
1985	A medium-security unit was constructed adjacent to the original wall of the maximum-security compound. This complex is now designated as the Central Unit.
1987	The Osawatomie Correctional Facility was established in September as an 80-bed minimum-security facility on the grounds of the Osawatomie State Hospital. This facility would become a a satellite unit of Lansing Correctional Facility in May of 1990.
1988	The minimum- and medium-custody female inmates were transferred from the Kansas Correctional Institute at Lansing to the Topeka Correctional Facility in Topeka. The maximum-custody female inmates would be transferred to Topeka in 1995. The former KCIL site is now designated as the East Unit and is a minimum-custody facility for male inmates.
1990	The administration of KSP and the Kansas Correctional Institute at Lansing  were consolidated to form the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF).
1991	LCF was awarded accreditation by the American Correctional Association.
1993	LCF became the oldest adult correctional facility to receive a perfect score in an American Correctional Association accreditation audit. LCF also duplicated its perfect score in a 1996 audit.
2009	LCF's satellite unit at Osawatomie was closed.

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Kansas State Industrial Reformatory (KSIR)

In the mid 1880s, the State of Kansas recognized the need for a reformatory in Kansas. Modeled after the nation’s first reformatory established in Elmira, New York, the reformatory concept focused on reforming first-time male offenders between the ages of 16 and 30 through vocational training and academic education. The reformatory system also introduced the concept of indeterminate sentences whereby an offender could be sentenced to a range of years that then could be shortened if the offender exhibited good behavior while in prison.

Work on the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory (KSIR) began in 1885 when then-Governor John Martin authorized the purchase of land to build a reformatory. Following concerns that the state institutions were all located in the eastern part of the state, legislation was passed that new institutions had to be built in the western half of the state, areas west of Highway 81. Several Kansas communities vied for the reformatory including Belleville, McPherson, Newton, Wichita and Hutchinson.

The City of Hutchinson raised $25,000 and a group called the Hutchinson Sewing Circle contributed $1,000 for the purchase of 640 acres of land for the reformatory. The innocuous-sounding group was made up of a group of Hutchinson-area prostitutes who believed that the reformatory was a good concept and that youth should be separated from adults in the prison system.

On July 2, 1885 news reached the City of Hutchinson that it had been selected as the site for the new reformatory. A holiday was declared and the newspaper gives the account that throngs of people crowded Main Street, bells sounded and fireworks were shot off during a celebration that continued into the night.

Initiated with a $60,000 legislative appropriation, construction began on November 19, 1885. However, the project that encompassed building one cellblock that would house 100 men soon became beleaguered with delays that would hamper the project for the next decade. By March of 1887 all appropriated funds had been exhausted though an additional estimated $300,000 was still needed in order to complete the cellblock. At one point, the project came to a standstill for four years when the legislature failed to appropriate additional funds.

In 1894, Governor Merrill promised that if he were elected governor a reformatory would be completed in the next year. Governor Merrill was elected and held true to his promise. In August 1895 a 50-man brick cellhouse was completed and the first 30 inmates were transferred from the Kansas State Penitentiary (now Lansing Correctional Facility) to KSIR. Unfortunately, the first cellhouse was constructed of Hutchinson brick which was made from clay that was dug out of the banks of the Arkansas River. This clay contained so much sand that most buildings built of Hutchinson brick deteriorated rapidly.

The second cellhouse was completed in 1906. Both cellhouses were tied together by the rotunda which at that time was the administration building. By 1898, 185 inmates were housed at the reformatory. From 1895 to 1898, 240 inmates had been received and 270 paroles had been granted.

All inmates at KSIR went to school for two hours every night after a regular 8-hour work day. They also went to school all day on stormy days and on Saturdays. KSIR’s first vocational program was stonecutting. Many of the buildings built in Kansas around the turn of the century were built by men who were ex-inmates who had learned stonecutting at the reformatory.

Also of note in the reformatory’s history:

• In 1895, legislation passed that allowed both male and females to be housed at the reformatory. Between 1898 and 1900, two females were sent by court to KSIR. Both were later returned to the sentencing court and the law was changed in 1900.
• In 1900, the legislature approved the creation of a parole officer position and a transfer officer position that would pick up parole violators who were released from the reformatory.
• Also in 1900, a lower court ruled at the prompting of a lawsuit brought by an inmate that the Department of Corrections policy to transfer recalcitrant inmates to Lansing was unconstitutional. In 1901, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the Department of Corrections had the authority to transfer inmates as the agency deemed appropriate.
• In 1903, the reformatory had its first successful escape. On December 19, 1903 inmate Elmer Slider, who was a trustee at the director's residence, slipped off into the night and was never heard from again.
• Also in 1903, the reformatory adopted the policy of photographing all incoming inmates to aid in the apprehension of escapees and parole violators who had absconded from supervision.
• In 1907, the term “prison guards” was changed to correctional officers as staff were responsible for more than simply guarding inmates. Staff also were responsible for counseling and providing guidance to inmates.
• During World War I, the reformatory's population dropped from 430 to 326 by January of 1918. Most of the inmates who wanted to volunteer for the draft were given that option rather than serving their prison term. A report at the time indicated that most of the inmates who served in the war had received honorable discharges.
• During the years between 1916 and 1918, records indicate leaves were granted to inmates from 30 to 90 days in order to assist area farmers in bringing in the crops.

The reformatory’s name was changed in 1990 when the facility became the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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• Is smoking allowed by staff and residents?
• Are the resident living units air conditioned?
• Why is a non-maximum custody resident in a maximum-security facility?
• Why are residents allowed to possess electronic equipment (radios, televisions, mp3 players, etc.,)?
• Who provides funding for residents to obtain electronic equipment while in prison?
• How is recreation/leisure time equipment funded for the resident population?
• What is available in the facility canteen for residents to purchase?
• Are residents compensated when assigned to work programs?
• Are resident work details available to perform work for community organizations?
• Are residents financially responsible for housing and services they receive while incarcerated?
• What is an inter-facility transfer?
• What is the interstate compact?
• What is a lockdown?
• What is good time?
• How is an resident's sentence computed and how does good time work?
• What does sex offender management status mean?
• Can a resident sex offender management status be changed?
• Are religious services/programs available to residents?
• Can a resident and I have a wedding ceremony in a correctional facility?
• Can a resident be released to attend a funeral or make a bedside visit?
• What is a functional incapacitation release?
• Are there legal services available to an resident?
• What happens the day of release?

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Is smoking allowed by staff and residents?
No. The KDOC became a tobacco-free environment in March 2003.

Are the resident living units air conditioned?
No. However, residents housed in facilities with or without appropriate circulation or air-handling systems are permitted to have an electric fan in their cell/bunk-area except as required for safety and/or security considerations. Fans are purchased with Inmate Benefit Fund monies for indigent residents. Non-indigent residents may purchase fans through the facility's canteen.

Why is a non-maximum custody resident in a maximum-security facility?

The security designation of a correctional facility is based upon its physical attributes (i.e., architectural, environmental) and, as it relates to residents, the type of physical constraints deemed appropriate for a particular resident. The security designation represents the highest custody resident that the facility may hold. For example, a maximum-security facility is capable of housing minimum-, medium- and maximum-custody residents. A minimum-security facility is capable of housing only minimum-custody residents. 

Why are residents allowed to possess electronic equipment (radios, televisions, mp3 players, etc.,)?
Eligible residents are allowed to possess electronic equipment in an effort to prevent problems due to resident idleness.

Who provides funding for residents to obtain electronic equipment while in prison?
Residents are responsible for providing their own electronic equipment through personal funds derived from assigned work programs or funds sent in from outside sources.

How is recreation/leisure time equipment funded for the resident population?
Equipment is provided through the Inmate Benefit Fund. The majority of the fund is comprised of proceeds from the resident canteen contract and telephone services.

What is available in the facility canteen for residents to purchase?
A facility canteen is a store through which residents are provided an opportunity to purchase allowable items such as for hygiene, snacks or other property items. For a list of available items and the cost of the items, please visit the canteen section.

Are residents compensated when assigned to work programs?
Depending on skill level, residents may earn from $0.45 to $1/05 per day.

Are resident work details available to perform work for community organizations?
Please check with each individual correctional facility directly for information regarding assistance with local government or public non-profit organization projects.

Are residents financially responsible for housing and services they receive while incarcerated?
During incarceration, residents are assessed the following fees:

• $2.00 sick call fee per visit if medical and dental services are initiated by the resident. Funds collected assist the Department in offsetting costs associated with health care contracts.
• $1.00 monthly administrative fee for handling of resident trust funds. Collected fees are placed in the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
• $5.35 fee for each urinalysis test having positive result is assessed upon conclusion of the disciplinary process if the resident is found guilty. Collected fees are utilized to defray costs incurred in administering urinalysis tests.
• Residents employed by private industry receive minimum wage and above. These residents are responsible for paying the State of Kansas 25% of gross wages per week for room and board. In addition, their earnings are subject to the following deductions: taxes, mandatory savings, victim restitution, dependent support, and fines/court costs.
• Funds that residents receive from sources exterior to the Kansas Department of Corrections are subject to a 10% mandatory savings withholding (after deduction of any outstanding obligations), with the proceeds to be deposited into a mandatory savings account, which will accrue interest. These funds are provided to the resident upon release to assist them in improving their chance for a successful transition into society.

What is an inter-facility transfer?
Residents may be transferred to any KDOC facility consistent with the custody classification, gender and other medical and/or programmatic needs of the resident and/or the management and operational needs of the KDOC.

A resident initiated, inter-facility transfer request must be submitted to the resident's unit team counselor through a Form-9. Residents in need of security transfers are given priority followed by those who have medical and mental health issues and program needs. Visitation is important but does not take priority over these other transfer needs. As much as the KDOC would like to house all residents near family and support group members, the KDOC is not able to accommodate every visitation transfer request. Those residents with the best record and who have waited the longest are given priority in granting visitation transfers.

What is the interstate compact?
Kansas has adopted an interstate compact with approximately 30 states that allows for the placement of a small number of Kansas residents in those states as needed for security considerations and subject to the approval of the other state. Interstate compact transfers are not considered for visitation purposes. 

What is a lockdown?
Although infrequent, a lockdown can occur in cases of emergencies, disturbances or disruptions of a general nature or that involve a substantial number of residents. While in lockdown status, residents remain in their cells. Visitation, phone calls, along with resident work programs and activities, are halted during a lockdown. 

What is good time?
Residents who demonstrate good work and behavior are eligible to earn good time credits which decrease part of the term of their incarceration.

Residents sentenced under the indeterminate sentencing structure are eligible to earn good time credits at a rate of 50 percent (one day earned for one day served). Residents sentenced under the determinate sentencing structure are eligible to earn good time credits at a rate of either 15 percent or 20 percent, depending on the date the crime was committed. Offenders sentenced under the determinate sentencing structure are also eligible to earn good time credits during their period of post-release supervision at a rate of 50 percent.

Good time credits may be withheld or forfeited for failure to comply with rules and regulations, resulting in the resident remaining in prison for a longer period of time. Good time credits withheld or forfeited on post-release supervision will result in the offender remaining under supervision for a longer period of time. 

How is an resident's sentence computed and how does good time work?
Please see the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines Desk Reference Manual available through the Kansas Sentencing Commission.

Residents earn good time in accordance with their sentences while incarcerated. The crime carrying the longest sentence and post-release time is the sentence that will be used to compute the amount of time that will be served.

Upon completion of the prison portion of the imposed sentence, a resident may be released to serve a term of post-release supervision, plus the amount of good time earned and retained while imprisoned.

If the resident is released to post release and finishes the post release without being revoked, the offender will then start serving the good time the offender earned while incarcerated. If the offender is on post release and is revoked, the offender will be brought back in to a correctional facility.

If the resident is a parole violator and was sentenced under the indeterminate sentencing law, the resident would be held until seen by the Kansas Parole Board.

Sentence computation is completed by a special unit at the KDOC’s central office.

Kansas sentencing laws are very complex and every detail cannot be covered here. This is intended to provide a general understanding of the good time processes. 

What does sex offender management status mean?
The KDOC may manage residents as sex offenders based on their convictions or behavior. This status may affect the classification, visitation and available programming while incarcerated. It may also affect a resident's supervision upon release. This status may include any resident with one or more of the following: current sex crime conviction, prior adult or juvenile sex crime conviction, conviction for sexually-motivated crime, institutional behavior that shows a pattern of sexually-motivated behavior and/or designation as sex offender by the override panel. 

Can a resident's sex offender management status be changed?
Residents may request an override of their sex offender status by submitting a request that includes the specific guidelines they would like changed to the Unit Team or Parole Officer, depending on the resident's or offender’s location. Specific sex offender conditions examples are: contact with minors, attending sex offender treatment or being managed as a sex offender.

The Unit Team or Parole Officer will complete and submit an override packet to the KDOC’s central office for review by an override panel, which meets once a month. 

Are religious services/programs available to residents?
Every resident has the right to freedom of religious affiliation and voluntary worship. The exercise of such rights may be subject to the requirements of ensuring the safe, secure and orderly operation of the correctional facility. Chaplains and volunteers provide a range of religious services, pastoral counseling, study groups and other special events. 

Can a resident and I have a wedding ceremony in a correctional facility?
Yes. Residents make their request through the pastoral care department at which time the chaplain will follow a set of guidelines and protocol for the events leading up to the ceremony that must be approved by the Warden. This will include careful planning and may include marital counseling. The chaplain will lead the couple through this process and advise them of the criteria while keeping administrative staff informed of the proceedings.

All expenses associated with the marriage ceremony are the responsibility of the resident or prospective spouse. 

Can a resident be released to attend a funeral or make a bedside visit?
No. The loss of a loved one is a traumatic and stressful time that is intensified by also being incarcerated. In an effort to make this time as comfortable as possible for the resident, the KDOC has several resources available to the resident population.

The pastoral care department and mental health counselors along with unit staff work together to help an resident in his/her time of need.

What is a functional incapacitation release?
Kansas law provides some residents, who are very ill, with the option to apply for a functional incapacitation release. Functional incapacitation is defined as a medical or mental health condition, including one rendering the resident terminally ill to the extent that death is imminent, resulting in the afflicted resident being incapable of causing physical harm.

Applications are submitted to the KDOC and subsequently referred to the Kansas Parole Board. The application cannot be approved unless the Parole Board determines that the resident is functionally incapacitated and does not pose a risk to public safety. 

Are there legal services available to an resident?
Residents also have access to a prison law library and legal materials through LexisNexis research which provides legal research materials.

Residents also may use a Form-9 or write a letter requesting services to obtain the assistance of Legal Services for Prisoners, Inc.

Legal Services for Prisoners, is a non-profit group that provides legal services to indigent residents in Kansas correctional facilities.  The program's goal is to ensure that residents' rights to the courts are met to pursue non-frivolous claims.  Funding for Legal Services for Prisoners is administered by the State Board of Indigents' Defense Services although the entity is not a state agency.

The program currently operates offices in El Dorado Correctional Facility, Lansing Correctional Facility, and Topeka  Correctional Facility. However, a resident may apply for services at any correctional facility. Legal Services for Prisoners. For more information, contact Legal Services for Prisoners at (785) 746-7437. 

What happens the day of release?
Each facility works with the resident to ensure the resident receives all remaining funds in his/her resident account. Transportation is established prior to the day of release and the resident is given civilian clothes to wear out of the facility. The resident will be given instructions on reporting to his/her parole officer upon release. The person picking up the resident must show their driver’s license to facility staff prior to leaving. 

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