Life Skills Enhancement Program
Therapeutic Community Program
Sex Offenders Treatment Program (SOTP) Program
Vehicle Maintenance
Chaplaincy Department
Activities Support
Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | Volunteers | History | Warden
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Programs
Pre-Release Vocational (Aramark) GED
Correctional Industries
Aramark.................................. 6 slots
Pioneer Balloon....................... 12 slots
Community Service Work
Inmates at Winfield Correctional Facility provide thousands of hours of community service work each year to non-profit entities after certification that the service work will not displace community-available jobs. This program provides labor for those approved agencies and provides inmates with valuable job skills and work ethics that they can utilize upon release. Long-term community service work includes:
Other Programs
Inmates also can participate in Reaching Out from Within, al self-help program for inmates who are committed to change and to giving back to the community.
Reaching Out From Within is a Kansas City-based non-profit organization founded in 1982 by violence prevention advocate and author SuEllen Fried. The program is dedicated to providing programs that prevent violence in our community. By breaking the cycle of violence, participants become contributing members of their families and society. Incarcerated men and women lead meetings using a curriculum written by offenders that teaches life skills and encourages them to make positive changes in their lives.
The WCF program began in 1994. Meetings, which are open to every inmate in the facility, are held two nights each week. During the meetings, inmates work with various materials and reference books that help in their quest to learn new ways to meet life's challenges and change their behavior. Select program participants, who have met special criteria, routinely speak to students and other groups in their community about choices and consequences.
Giving back to society in a meaningful way is one of the core beliefs of the program. The group gives back to society by supporting charities.
For more information, see the Reaching Out From Within website at http://www.rofw.org.
Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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While services for medical and education are contracted for through private vendors, the facility's food service is supported by the Larned State Hospital. However staffing at LSCF is contractual. Meals are prepared at the state hospital kitchen and transported to the LSCF for serving to the Central Unit inmates. South Unit inmates eat their meals under LSCF staff supervision at the state hospital cafeteria.
Chaplaincy Services
The facility provides opportunities for inmates to practice their respective religious faiths. A full-time chaplain is the liaison for religious services and volunteers in the community.
Reeentry
Reentry services provide programming, such as Thinking for a Change courses and support for offenders based on the inmate’s specific risk and need areas as defined by screening and offender behavior.
Private Industries
Inmate employee positions are available in non-prison based industries programs for minimum-custody West Unit inmates. These programs are designed to help inmates learn and practice the pro-social skills and good work habits required to be self-sufficient, productive citizens ready to practice responsible crime-free behavior.
Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History
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Through the chaplain department, female offenders also participated in the Girls Scouts and KAIROS, a prison ministry program.
Overview | Youth Handbook (Manual Para La Juventud) | Parent Handbook (Manual Para Los Padres) | Juvenile Offender Telephone Information
Education Services | Other Programs | Medical & Behavioral Health Services | History | Superintendent | Juvenile Correctional Facility Population Data
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]]>NCF currently has Vocational Education programs including Building Maintenance, Carpentry, and Medium Vocations [manufacturing skills], available. Staff from Colby Community College and through Greenbush offer Academic Education classes to residents that include reading, writing, science, and math. Learned skills are applied to testing for their GED.
Residents also gain employment skills and a strong work ethic through participation in community service work, and NCF's prison-based and non-prison based private industries programs including Wilkens at Stockton, KS.
NCF also offers resident programs which include physical and Behavioral Health services, and resident self-help programs such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous.
RADAC is also a program offered at NCF for minimum and medium custody offenders. RADAC is a Substance Abuse Program. This 39 session Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abuse is a curriculum designed for individuals who are moderate to high need in the area of substance abuse. The class is taught by RADAC Staff. This class relies on a cognitive-behavioral approach to teach participants strategies for avoiding substance abuse. There are six modules that consist of Motivational Engagement, Cognitive Restructuring, Emotional Regulation, Social Skills, Program Solving, and Relapse Prevention.
NCF's Behavioral Health Department provides individual and group therapy for residents including therapy groups covering such areas as anger management, dialectical behavior therapy, Fundamental Lessons in Psychology, lifestyle change, relationships, and a parenting group.
In addition, NCF partners with a community organization through the Second Chance Homeless Pet Society to provide basic dog obedience training and grooming for dogs that are placed up for adoption upon completion of the program.
Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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]]>The Parole Process
Public Comment Sessions
The Prisoner Review Board conducts monthly Public Comment Sessions in the cities of Derby, Topeka and Kansas City. The sessions provide an opportunity for Board members to receive written and oral input from victims, victims’ families, inmates’ families, community members and other interested persons regarding the possible parole of inmates. Notice of the Public Comment Sessions and a list of relevant inmates are available at: Public Comment Sessions.
Parole Eligibility
Inmates under the indeterminate sentencing structure become parole eligible after serving the minimum sentence, less good time credits. The good time credits are calculated according to statute. Currently, good time is earned at a rate of one day for every day served for sentences with a minimum of two years. In other words, an individual will become eligible at half of his/her minimum sentence if all good time is earned. For sentences with a one-year minimum, parole eligibility is reached after serving nine months.
The Parole Hearing
By statute, the Board must conduct a parole hearing during the month prior to the inmate’s parole eligibility date with the inmate present if he/she is incarcerated in Kansas. This appearance does not necessarily mean that the inmate will be released on parole. Parole eligibility is viewed by the Board as distinctly different from parole suitability.
During the parole hearing the inmate is given an opportunity to:
- Present to the Board the inmate’s version of the offense and any mitigating or precipitating factors;
- Discuss the inmate’s prior criminal history;
- Discuss the progress the inmate has made and the programs that have been completed, including those that are a part of the inmate’s Program Agreement;
- Discuss the precipitating or mitigating factors of any Disciplinary Reports the inmate has received while incarcerated;
- Discuss the inmate’s problems and needs;
- Present and discuss a parole plan;
- Discuss other matters that are pertinent to consideration of parole release;
- Present other reasons the inmate believes makes him/her ready for parole.
Parole hearings provide the Board an opportunity to review all available reports and material pertinent to the case, as well as to question the inmate directly about relevant issues and to make an assessment of the inmate and his/her readiness for parole.
The Parole Decision-Making Process
Kansas Law stipulates that the Board may release on parole those inmates who have satisfactorily completed the Program Agreement, required by the K.S.A. 75-5210a, whom the Board believes are able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen, and when the Board is of the opinion that there is a reasonable probability that the inmate can be released without detriment to the community or to the inmate. (K.S.A. 22-3717 (e)).
In conjunction with K.S.A. 22-3717 (h), the following non-exhaustive factors are considered when determining parole suitability:
- Circumstances of the offense
- Previous criminal record and social history of the inmate
- Programs and program participation
- Conduct, employment, attitude, disciplinary history during incarceration
- Reports of physical/mental examinations, including but not limited to risk factors revealed by any risk assessment
- Comments from public officials, victims or their family, offender family or friends, or any other interested member of the general public
- Capacity of state correctional institutions
- Input from staff where offender is housed
- Proportionality of time served to the sentence that would have been received under the Kansas sentencing guidelines for the conduct that resulted in the inmate's incarceration
- Presentence report
In addition to soliciting comments from violent crime victims, comments are solicited from public officials regarding the inmate’s possible parole. These officials include the Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff’s Department, Police Department and the Sentencing Judge from the county or counties in which the inmate was convicted. This information is made available to the Board at the inmate’s hearing.
These considerations take into account the welfare of the community and public safety in determining the optimum period of time for parole release of an individual inmate. The parole decision is representative of the criminal justice system and governmental guidelines and is an attempt to reflect the general attitude and opinions of law enforcement and the community at large. Before granting parole, the Board determines whether or not an offender has demonstrated appropriate behavior which ensures a reasonable opportunity to succeed socially and economically. The Board takes into consideration the individuality of offenders on a case-by-case basis.
The Board can make one of three basic decisions at a parole hearing. These decisions are
- parole
- continue
- pass
The Board can decide to “parole” when it believes the inmate is suitable for release.
Secondly, the Parole Board can decide to “continue,” which is to postpone making a decision to parole or pass the inmate. This action is made to facilitate further deliberation or receipt of information, when it requires a more in-depth review or discussion of the case. The Board may also continue for additional votes necessary for a majority decision. Other times, it may continue for the inmates to undergo an evaluation to assess the inmate’s mental health. Once the reason for the continuation is satisfied, a determination as to whether or not to release the inmate is made.
The third decision is to “pass” for a particular period of time, which is a denial of parole. The maximum period for which the Prisoner Review Board may pass offenders convicted of A or B felonies or off-grid offenses is ten years, if the Board can provide reasons as to why it is not believed that the inmate would have been granted parole otherwise. Previously, offenders convicted of such offenses could only be passed for up to 3 years.
For offenders convicted of offenses other than A or B felonies or off-grid offenses, the Board may issue a pass for a period up to three years, provided the Board can give reasons as to why it is not believed that the inmate would have been granted parole otherwise. Previously, offenders convicted of such offenses could only be passed for up to one year.
Appeal
An inmate has the right to appeal a parole decision under authority of K.A.R. 45-200-2(b), when he/she can present “new evidence which was unavailable at the prior hearing.” The appeal must be made in writing and specify the new evidence upon which the inmate relies. Those that meet the outlined criteria are reviewed by the Prisoner Review Board so that a decision can be made regarding the appeal. Once a decision has been reached, the offender is notified of the decision by the Board.
Conditional Release
A conditional release is the date when an inmate under an indeterminate sentence must be released, because he/she has served half of the maximum sentence. Good time for conditional release is calculated in the same manner as for parole eligibility. Therefore, for sentences with a maximum of two years or more an inmate must serve one-half of the maximum before being conditionally released. For example, on a three-to-ten year sentence, an inmate will reach his/her conditional release after serving five years and must be released at that time, provided he/she has lost no good time. When an inmate reaches his/her conditional release, the Prisoner Review Board reviews the inmate’s file and establishes conditions with which the inmate must comply. The offender is then placed on conditional release and supervised until the maximum sentence date or granted an early discharge by the Board.
Post-Release Supervision
The Kansas Legislature imposed a Sentencing Guideline Sentencing structure for individuals whose crimes were committed on or after July 1, 1993. This system is determinate in nature, in that the inmate’s period of incarceration is predetermined at sentencing. Post-release supervision is similar to conditional release. Post-release supervision begins when an inmate has served the maximum sentence, less good time credits. Each sentence has its own predetermined period of supervision and the inmate may earn good time in an amount no greater than 15-20 percent (depending on when the crime occurred) of the sentence, thereby reducing the portion of the sentence that must be served in prison. This amount of time, however, will then be added to the period of post-release supervision, so that the entirety of the term will not be affected or reduced. Therefore, since the inmate’s release date is predetermined, the Prisoner Review Board’s role at release is to set the conditions of the supervision period. Once the individual reaches the expiration date of his/her supervision period, the individual’s obligation to the state has been satisfied.
Parole, Conditional Release, and Post-Release Revocation Hearings
In general, after an inmate has been released on parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, the Secretary of Corrections may issue a warrant when a violation of parole, conditional release or post-release supervision has been established. This process is initiated by an offender’s Parole Officer, not by the Prisoner Review Board. If the Parole Officer wishes to pursue revocation proceedings, a probable cause/ preliminary hearing is conducted by the field parole staff and an impartial hearing officer. If probable cause is found, the inmate may be returned to the Department of Corrections’ custody. The offender is then scheduled for a revocation hearing before the Prisoner Review Board. The inmate has the right to have witnesses present who may have information relevant to the alleged violation. If the violation is established to the satisfaction of the Board, it may revoke the parole, conditional release or post-release or take any other appropriate action. In the case that the release is revoked, this action could include assessment of a penalty in the nature of further time which the inmate must serve before again being considered by the Board for release.
For offenders under post-release supervision, the Board is limited in the length of time it can order offenders to serve on a condition violation. For these offenders, depending on when their original conviction occurred, the Board may only revoke for up to 90 days or for 180 days. The exception to these limits is if the violation results from a conviction for a new felony or misdemeanor. Prior to July 1, 2013, upon revocation for a new felony conviction the inmate was required to serve the entire remaining balance of the period of post-release supervision even if the new conviction did not result in the imposition of a new term of imprisonment. As a result of FY2013 legislation that amended K.S.A. 75-5217 (c) the Board, beginning July 1, 2013, has the discretion to require an offender to serve a revocation period up to the date of sentence discharge when revocation is predicated on either a new felony or misdemeanor conviction.
Waiver of Final Prisoner Review Board Hearing
During the FY 1999 legislative session, K.S.A. 75-5217 (b) was amended to provide post-release supervision violators the option of waiving their final hearing before the Prisoner Review Board. Following arrest, an offender is served documents regarding the pending revocation and has the option to admit guilt and sign a waiver of their right to a hearing before the Board. In doing so, the revocation process for the offender begins at that point, and the revocation period of either 90 or 180 days begins immediately, rather than after the offender appears in person before the Board at a revocation hearing. Offenders who have been granted a parole release are not eligible to waive their final hearing before the Board.
Discharge from Supervision
An inmate under the indeterminate release system can be maintained on supervision up to the expiration of his/her maximum sentence. There is a minimum requirement of one year of supervision before discharge may be requested. This action may be initiated by the offender’s supervising Parole Officer, the Prisoner Review Board or the offender. A poor performance under supervision could result in causing the inmate to remain under supervision for a longer period of time than one or two years. If an inmate’s adjustment has been satisfactory, the Parole Officer may submit a written report, summarizing the offender’s conduct while under supervision, which outlines for the Board issues such as employment, compliance with conditions and law enforcement contact. The Request for Discharge must be accompanied by an approval by the Parole Officer’s supervisor and is then considered by the Board. Without regard to his/her conduct, an inmate must be released from supervision at the maximum sentence expiration date in the absence of an early discharge.
During the FY 2013 legislative session, K.S.A. 22-3717 (d) (2) was amended to allow offenders serving 12, 24 or 36 months of post release supervision to petition the Board for early discharge if they have paid court ordered restitution.
Maximum Release
In the event an inmate under the indeterminate release system has had his/her Conditional Release revoked and/or serves to the maximum, he/she shall be released from prison at that time as the offender’s sentence has been satisfied. The Board has no authority to set any conditions upon the release or to have any control over the offender’s conduct. The Department of Corrections, similarly, cannot provide any supervision. Once an offender reaches his/her maximum date the offender’s obligation to the State has been satisfied and the Board records this with the issuance of a maximum sentence discharge certificate.
Executive Clemency
Executive Clemency is an extraordinary method of relief and is not regarded as a substitute for parole. An inmate who believes that he/she has a deserving case for executive clemency may request the necessary applications from institutional staff. Once completed by the inmate, these forms are submitted to the Board, along with the inmate’s reasons for applying for clemency. As required by law, a notice of the inmate’s application is forwarded to the official county newspaper in the area of conviction so that interested parties may offer comments. In the event the inmate does not have sufficient funds for the cost of this publication, the Department of Corrections bears the cost. Comments are solicited from the sentencing judge and the prosecuting attorney. After the formalities have been accomplished, the Board conducts a file review to determine if a personal interview with the inmate is warranted. After reviewing the file, and conducting a hearing (if needed), the Board then submits a recommendation to the Pardon Attorney in the Governor’s office for the Governor’s final action.
A major initiative of the juvenile justice reform act is based on the development of a strong state and local partnership. Juvenile Services works closely with county governments and community-based agencies in the implementation and operation of juvenile justice services at the local level.
Each judicial district is required to have three core programs operational at the local level:
The KDOC distributes funds to the administrative county in each judicial district for the operation of these programs. Technical assistance is provided by the KDOC to assist districts in the delivery of services to youth who come in contact with these community based juvenile justice programs. Standards and procedures are developed to provide guidance in the operation of these programs.
A major initiative of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act is the development of prevention programs as a part of the continuum of juvenile justice services. Prior to 1997, this had not been a focus of the juvenile justice system. Research at the national level indicates that prevention programming for at-risk youth and first time offenders can be highly effective in reducing juvenile crime and preventing the increasing long term cost of repeat offending. The KDOC supports and assists communities in developing successful programs that will help reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors. Communities are encouraged to create partnerships with other agencies that have a key interest in prevention focused services (schools, regional prevention centers, community mentoring programs) in order to maximize both funding and program capabilities. Prevention programs cover a wide range of service needs at the community level.
These programs target youth who are in need of pro-social adult role models to address adolescent behavior problems. College students, community volunteers, members of the business community, school personnel, and others provide positive social and material reinforcement to youth, allowing them to be connected to adults who promote healthy beliefs and clear standards. These programs offer opportunities for youth to interact with pro-social adults and peers and learn new skills in a safe, supportive environment.
Programs such as mentoring, after school programs, and recreation programs address several risk factors: early and persistent antisocial behavior, friends who engage in problem behavior, lack of commitment to school, and rebelliousness.
The KDOC believes that programs, which receive state and federal funding need to be held accountable to ensure programs are programmatically sound and cost effective.
The community planning process uses the Communities That Care prevention strategy which is outcome based. Communities are trained to measure and calculate outcomes of each program.
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This division supervises offenders released from Kansas correctional facilities on parole, post-release supervision or conditional release. This division also manages offenders released from other states and who are on probation or parole and for whom Kansas has accepted for Interstate Compact supervision.
In FY 2012, 5,848 offenders were under supervision in Kansas including 4,140 Kansas cases and 1,708 out-of-state compact cases. To assist these offenders with returning to their communities as law-abiding citizens, parole services employs a community-based, case management model.
Kansas is divided into two regions, northern and southern, with parole offices operating in 20 communities. A parole director, who reports to the Deputy Secretary of Community and Field Services, oversees each region.
An offender's level of supervision and case management are determined through the use of classification tools such as the Level of Services Inventory - Revised (LSIR). Classification assessments also assist in determining an offender's programming needs and resource referrals.
During supervision, offenders may encounter reintegration difficulites or lifestyle issues which are addressed through post-release case managment. Common challenges are housing, transportation and substance abuse issues.
When violations of supervision conditions occur, parole officers utilize interventions and make referrals to needed resources. Serious violations that represent public safety risks result in the offender being returned to a correctional facility.
Offenders serving determinate sentences generally serve 90 to 180 days upon revocation, as determined by state statute.
Offenders serving indeterminate sentences serve a period of time that is established by the Kansas Prisoner Review Board.
Parole Locations & Contact Information
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