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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.

Former LCF Resident Featured Speaker at KU's Black History Month Celebration

David Thompson — 2026-02-12T15:05:00Z

Former Lansing Correctional Facility Resident, Aaron Smallwood, cites education and his faith as keys to his path toward redemption. He was released September 6, 2024 after serving 28 years in KDOC custody. During his incarceration, he earned a college degree from Donnelly College and became a mainstay with the Brothers In Blue Reentry program. Since his release, he has maintained a fulltime job at Zephyr Products, a Private Industry partner with KDOC. Smallwood was invited to speak at the University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences Black History Month Celebration yesterday. He has written two books and told an audience of mostly KU Education students, faculty, and other supporters, that successful reentry is a slow process.

LCF Donnelly Graduation 05 13 2025

David Thompson — 2025-05-14T22:00:00Z

Four residents at Lansing Correctional Facility received diplomas as they earned Associate of Applied Science in Business degrees from Donnelly College. Our congratulations to Nicholas Martin, Crosson Saisi, Raeshad Scott-Lindsey, and David Young. Martin and Young earned Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society awards while Scott-Lindsey is a first generation college student. KDOC also thanks the teachers, administrators, and staff at LCF for helping to ensuring that classes take place.

IN2WORK Giftbags for RMH 04 03 25

David Thompson — 2025-04-03T17:25:00Z

Aramark Correctional Services is marking the 20th anniversary of its IN2WORK (I2W) program, which provides education and industry certifications to incarcerated individuals. To help celebrate, the IN2WORK residents and Aramark staff at Lansing Correctional Facility created 250 self-stable, breakfast snack packs and donated them to the Ronald McDonald House near Childrens Mercy Hospital in Overland Park.

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.

Band Night On The Big Yard at LCF

David Thompson — 2025-03-14T12:30:00Z

What happens when you have a big space for an outdoor concert, a welcoming audience, and no budget to pay musicians? You invite as many bands that are willing to play on the Yard at Lansing Correctional Facility. And are they coming?! For the 2nd year in a row, more than 30 bands from around the Kansas City region are booked to play on a Thursday night between March and October. It's win-win-win situation as local bands who are looking for a gig, can play before a "captive" audience; the residents are welcome to hear a free concert; and administrators say it all adds to a calmer, safer environment. Rock on, LCF!

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.

LCF's Joe Wilson Receives Quilt of Valor 09 19 24

David Thompson — 2024-09-19T22:00:00Z

More than 20 years ago, an Iraqi war veteran's mother had a dream that a quilt draped around her son helped soothe his battle nightmares. She helped create a non-profit foundation around that dream, called Quilts of Valor. The foundation has since awarded nearly 395-thousand quilts. The foundation's goal is to cover as many of our veterans who served in Iraq/Afghanistan as possible. On September 19, 2024, Lansing Correctional Facility's Joe Wilson, a Discharge Planner and an 11-year veteran in a Medevac unit, was honored by the foundation. The quilt was handmade by Judabeth Bural, a Mentoring 4 Success Volunteer, who also presented the quilt to Wilson. It took almost 50 hours to make the quilt.

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.

LCF Resident Todd Deal MBA Graduation Ceremony 08 02 24

David Thompson — 2024-08-09T21:00:00Z

Lansing Correctional Facility Resident, Todd Deal, says there are three contributing factors that helped him earn his masters degree: first, his support team which includes his sister Amanda, several residents involved with Brothers in Blue Reentry, the head of BIBR, CJ Hughes; second is his pastor of record, Jeff Hord, who planted a church inside LCF, Vineyard Church - Lansing; and third, inspiration from his mother before she passed in 2011.

Our congratulations to Todd Deal for his hard work and determination to enhance his education and to be an encouragement for others.

And thank you to all of our staff, contractors, and volunteers who have helped along the way!

Brandon Heath @ LCF 5-22-24

David Thompson — 2024-05-30T19:30:00Z

One of the biggest names in Contemporary Christian music, Brandon Heath, took to the stage on the yard of Lansing Correctional Facility in partnership with a local radio station. Heath performed 3 separate sets of his songs as the population was staggered for safety and security. Private donations to the radio station also provided a meal, board games, and Bibles for the men. The event was co-sponsored by Brothers in the Blue Reentry program.

LCF - Donnelly College Graduation May 22, 2024

David Thompson — 2024-05-23T18:30:00Z

Four residents at Lansing Correctional Facility graduated with Associate of Applied Science in Business degrees. Three of the four are first-generation college students. Donnelly College also has done a tremendous job of teaching and equipping KDOC students. 75% of Donnelly College graduates at LCF have a 3.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) or higher. We are also grateful for the staff at LCF for supporting the programs while shaping the lives of our residents and inspiring hope for all.

5 LCF Residents Graduate from University of Saint Mary

David Thompson — 2024-05-16T22:00:00Z

This is a picture of perseverance. Five residents at Lansing Correctional Facility earned bachelor's degree in computer information science. A noteworthy accomplishment in and of itself. However, two of the residents, William Mason and Charles Johnson Jr. began taking college courses through University of Saint Mary using Pell grants back in 1991 and 1994, respectively. They had to stop when Pell ended in 1994. Yet, here they are, 30 years later and after Pell grants were reinstituted in 2021, Mason and Johnson Jr. received their degrees during a graduation ceremony at LCF last week. Our congratulations to Mason, Johnson Jr., as well as Sean Murphy, Danny Pickerill, and Zachary Smith.

Awesome job! And congratulations to the faculty and staff at the University of Saint Mary, i.e. Michael Hill and Dr. Michelle Metzinger.

And thank you to the staff at Lansing Correctional Facility for supporting the educational programs and activities to help enhance the growth of residents who want to change.

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

LCF - Lawrence Gardner High School Graduation 2023

David Thompson — 2023-05-24T21:50:00Z

20 residents from Lansing Correctional Facility received their high school diplomas as part of the Lawrence Gardner High School program. Congrats to these men for their hard work and determination as they hope to use this milestone achievement as a stepping stone in their lives and future dreams.