The primary responsibility of the Kansas Department of Corrections is the safety of the public, staff and residents. Residents are encouraged to report any safety concerns to corrections staff who are available 24 hours a day. If at any time a resident does not feel safe, the resident should speak with a staff person or fill out a confidential Form-9.
Friends and family who have concerns or who are told of an resident's safety concerns also are encouraged to contact the KDOC. A resident has several options to report sexual misconduct whether by another resident or staff. Residents can report sexual misconduct to any staff member, through a Form-9 or by calling the KDOC’s sexual abuse helpline by dialing #50 from any inmate phone.
All helpline calls are free, confidential and may be anonymous. Family members or friends should report in-custody sexual misconduct by calling the KDOC’s toll-free confidential line at 1-888-317-8204.
Callers to this number also may remain anonymous.
Is protective custody available?
Protective custody is the removal of a resident from the general population to a secure cell for their personal safety. If a resident is determined to have a valid safety concern and no reasonable alternative is available, a resident can be moved into protective custody.
How do family and friends file a complaint or voice their concerns to staff?
All issues should first be attempted to be resolved at the facility. You may ask to speak with the unit team manager or staff in the Warden’s office. If the issue remains unresolved, you may contact the KDOC’s central office and speak with the Secretary’s designee for issues relating to constituent and inmate grievances. Please call (785) 746-7542 or e-mail, KDOC_Facility_Management@ks.gov
What about staff sexual misconduct?
The KDOC has a zero tolerance policy with regard to staff sexual misconduct and inappropriate staff/resident relationships. Staff sexual misconduct includes sexual abuse or attempted sexual abuse, sexual contact, sexual assault, unlawful sexual relations and sexual harassment. It also includes conversations or correspondence that suggest or demonstrate a romantic or intimate relationship between a resident and an employee. Employees and contract personnel who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal. In addition to a zero tolerance policy with regard to staff sexual misconduct and inappropriate staff/resident relationships, K.S.A. 21-3520 prohibits “unlawful sexual relations” between staff and residents. Unlawful sexual relations includes “engaging in consensual sexual intercourse, lewd fondling or touching, or sodomy.” Unlawful sexual relations is a level 5 felony offense.
What is segregation?
An resident can either be placed in the Segregation Unit or the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) for several reasons including: protective custody, isolation to prevent the spread of communicable disease, to prevent self-harm or mutilation, critical monitoring of potentially suicidal residents, to protect the resident population from identified predators, as part of a disciplinary sanction, or for separation of residents who have conflicts with each other. In these units, residents have tighter restrictions of movement but are still allowed such things as religious guidance and exercise periods.
Is the KDOC compliant with standards established under the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA)?
Please review the KDOC's PREA Data section for up-to-date information.
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