Volunteer News
Volunteer Opportunities
Why Volunteer? 

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi

• Lansing Correctional Facility depends upon the assistance of volunteers who work throughout the facility. People are able to volunteer for educational purposes to help residents with life skills, help with different religious studies or to assist with sports and athletic events. Volunteers also may assist staff with clerical duties. Volunteers may help weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. 
 

Who can be a volunteer?

• Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older.
• Volunteers can be of any race, gender or ethnic group.
• Volunteers do not have to have any special education.
• Volunteers cannot have a close family member currently incarcerated with the Kansas Department of Corrections.
• Volunteers cannot be on a visiting list of any offender in Kansas Department of Corrections.
• Volunteers can be ex-offenders, and is decided on by a case-by-case basis.

 

To Become a Volunteer

1. Volunteers complete a volunteer application packet* and security check.
2. Volunteers receive approval from the volunteer group’s representative and volunteer services coordinator.
3. Volunteers complete the Lansing Correctional Facility volunteer training and commit to five visits to the facility per year.

For more information or to request a volunteer packet contact:

Laura Phillippi (e-mail)
Volunteer Services Coordinator

Lansing Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 2
Lansing, KS 66043

(913) 727-3235 ext. 58243
Fax: (913) 250-2755

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | Volunteers | History | Warden
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• Job Readiness Skills
• Employment After Prison
• Basic Parenting
• Parenting from Prison
• Family Reunification
• Money Management
• GED Studies

• African Awareness
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Arts in Prison (music, choir, art, poetry)
• Fine Arts Society
• Hispanic Awareness
• Incarcerated Veterans
• Narcotic Anonymous
• Reaching Out From Within
• Mentoring 4 Success

• Asatru
• Assembly of Yahweh
• House of Yahweh
• Islamic
• Judaism
• Moorish Science Temple of America
• Native American
• Rastafarian
• Thelema
• Wiccan

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | Volunteers | History | Warden
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• hold hands while walking in the visiting room;
• holding hands is permissible while sitting at the tables only if both inmate's and visitor's hands are situated on top of the table in plain view of the visiting staff; and,
• hug and kiss at the beginning and end of the visit for a period of time not to exceed one minute

Inmates and visitors are not permitted to:

• sleep, if visitor is over 12 years of age;
• lie upon one another;
• move chairs and tables from original position;
• pet, stroke, or massage one another or themselves;
• initiate or participate in any act that may be construed as horseplay;
• move their chairs into a position, or position themselves in a manner where both inmates and visitors have their backs to the visiting room staff;
• engage in any type of activity that would be considered as "hair care";
• chew gum;
• no food allowed for the inmate on non-contact visit;
• lean or rest head or body on each other; and
• no garment shall block the view of staff at any time.

The visit may be terminated for other personal contact.

The visit will be terminated if it is apparent that the conduct of the inmate or visitors is disruptive to other visitors.

Animals and minor children cannot be left unattended in a vehicle.

Any inmate convicted of a disciplinary report for any misconduct occurring during a visit or while still on the premises of the visiting room, including the shakedown area of same, will be subject to loss of visiting privileges for such a period as may be determined by the Warden.

Once a disciplinary report is received, the inmate will be placed in non-contact visiting status. This status remains in effect until dismissed or the Warden's administrative review is completed. If the conviction is upheld, the Deputy Warden of Programs will notify the inmate of the visiting suspension which will be a minimum of 90 days and will be effective the date of the completed administrative review.

Parents, guardians and grandparents will be responsible for supervising and controlling the behavior of their children. Cell phones/cameras must be secured in personal vehicles; not to be taken in to the facility.

Visitors are not allowed to talk to inmates through the fence.

Person(s) believed to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will not be permitted to visit under any circumstances. Visitors smelling of intoxicating beverages or appearing intoxicated or drugged will be seen by the Enforcement, Apprehensions and Investigations staff or the Shift Supervisor.

If an inmate has a positive urinalysis (UA) or refuses to provide a sample for testing, or is hoarding medication, or any violation related to unauthorized drugs or narcotics, he will be placed on non-contact visiting for a minimum of 90 days.

If the inmate is found not guilty at the disciplinary hearing, contact visits will be reinstated immediately. At the end of the 90 days, an inmate may send a request to the Deputy Warden of Program's Office to have his contact visits reinstated. Should an inmate receive a second report in a 12-month period, visiting privileges will be suspended for six months. Each additional report within the 12-month period will mean another six months of suspension.

All inmates will wear suitable undergarments and state issued attire at all times to visit. In no case will an inmate be permitted to attend a visit with any sex organ uncovered, it must be covered by a suitable undergarment or alternative garment approved by a physician.
 

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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Attire of Visitors:

• All visitors must wear appropriate underwear under their outer garments.

  • Males must wear briefs/boxers.

  • Females must wear briefs (panties, underwear) and brassiere (neither are to be part of other clothing being worn).

• Specific types of clothing not considered appropriate shall be as follows:

  • see through attire;
  • tank tops (or similar apparel) for men or women;
  • braless attire for women;
  • halter tops;
  • dresses and blouses with a revealing, low cut neckline;
  • dresses/skirts split higher than the distal crease of (crease at the back of) the knee; this also applies to dresses that are split on the side, and/or front or back;
  • shoeless attire for men or women;
  • shorts or cut-offs for men or women are not permitted (Bermuda shorts and culottes are permitted providing they are loose fitting and are knee level or lower); (distal crease)
  • no hats or caps to be worn into visiting room;
  • garment pockets must not be torn and will be free of holes;
  • no leggings or excessively tight fitting pants (spandex; stretch or aerobic/exercise style clothing).
  • jeans and/or slacks that are excessively tight fitting;
  • any type of shirt that exposes midriff;
  • tear away clothing items;
  • no sagging pants; and
  • no undergarments showing

The Facility reserves the right to deny access to any visitor who is attired as indicated above, or is otherwise inappropriately attired.

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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Visitor Clothing | Visitor Conduct | Allowable Visitor Items | Allowable Inmate Items | Outside Visiting Area Rules | Requesting Special Visits | Directions & Transportation Information | Frequently Asked Questions

1. All exceptions to this policy other than those already listed in this General Order must be approved by the Warden, one of the Deputy Wardens or the inmate's unit team when it is shown that such an exception would be in the best interest of the inmate and the facility.
2. Procedures for placing a prospective visitor's name on an inmate's list is outlined in General Order 16, 101, section V.

Visitors may be on the visiting list of one inmate only. The only exception to this policy shall be in the event more than one inmate and the prospective visitors are all members of the same immediate family.

Each visitor must present one item of positive identification at the time of each visit. This identification must include a photograph of the visitor. Children over the age of sixteen years of age must also have a picture identification card.

Visitors are permitted to accept inmate-fabricated goods and craft items. All such transfers of craft items must be conducted pursuant to General Order 9, 103.

The facility will not accept monies in any form brought in by a visitor for deposit in an inmate account. Money orders or cashier checks payable to the Inmate's name and number may be mailed to the inmate for deposit to his account. (P.O. Box 2 - Lansing, KS 66043)

Due to limited waiting/visiting areas, visitors are urged not to bring non-visitors. Normally, a visitor must have traveled a distance of 150 miles or more to be considered for a courtesy visit. (See Special Visits) Courtesy visits are one-time only and are for immediate family members only.

A member of the clergy, with an approved clergy visit application for a specified inmate (and that inmate only), may visit for up to one hour during regular visiting hours consistent with the inmates security level without charge of visiting time for the inmate. If so requested by a clergy member, or by any other person having a statutory right to consult, the visit may take place in a private consultation room.

Volunteer participants in inmate activities programs may not participate in the inmate visitation program. Exceptions to this policy include public officials, M-2/W-2 sponsors, and members of the M-2/W-2 program staff. Ex-employees including contract employees shall not be permitted visits with any inmate, except n a professional capacity, for a minimum of two (2) years after such employment is terminated, and thereafter, will have visitation strictly at the discretion of the warden upon application of the former employee or inmate.

Minor children who are immediate family members of the inmate may visit if accompanied by an adult on the inmate's visiting list who has been given the power of attorney by the parent of legal guardian and or a notarized letter vesting the person with authority to transport and supervise the minor child on the premises of the facility for the purpose of visiting an inmate, and in those instances where there is not a power of attorney, an adult who is temporary care giver of a minor child may authorize visits by the child after providing an affidavit as to their status and relationship to the child and inmate. The warden or designee will determine if the visit by the minor child will be permitted.

1. Visitors are responsible for supervising and controlling the behavior of their children. This means that children are not be allowed to wander around the visiting room or make loud noise enough to disturb other visitors. Children who cannot behave must be removed from the visiting room. Visiting officers will warn the visitors of disruptive children twice before asking the visitors to remove the children from the visiting room.
2. Children over the age of five are not allowed to sit on the inmate's knee or lap.

Ex-inmates are prohibited from visiting unless granted permission in advance by the warden. Probationers and parolees may not visit unless granted permission by the warden, and have written authorization from their supervising agent.

If an inmate refuses to see a visitor, that fact will be stated in writing, and noted in the inmate's visiting record.

A visitor will not be permitted to visit more than one inmate at any visitation time unless the visitor is a member of the immediate family of more than one inmate.

Once a person's name is removed at the inmate's or visitor's request, that person will not be added to the same or another inmate's visiting list for a minimum of 180 days.

On arrival and departure from the facility, all visitors must sign the facility's visiting register. Visitors will be required to show ID upon arrival and departure.

All visitors are subject to search in accordance with IMPP 012-115. Visitors who refuse the search may be subject to loss of visiting privileges.

All visitors must secure personal articles prior to being granted access to the visiting areas.

1. Visitors for the maximum, medium and minimum security units must secure personal articles in the lockers provided in the Visitors Reception area.
2. Visitors who visit at the medium or LCF-East must secure personal items in their own vehicles if lockers are not available. Such visitors may retain their vehicle keys and required identification while in the visiting area.
3. Visitors may not return to their lockers after their visit has started. Visitors will not be allowed to leave the visiting room or reception to go to their vehicle unless they have authorization from the visiting officer in charge.

Vending machines in the visiting room may be used by visitors.

1. The facility will not provide change for use in these machines.
2. As these machines are the property of private vendors, the facility and the facility employees are not responsible for losses incurred due to mechanical malfunctions.
3. All losses must be reported to the vendor.
4. Inmates can handle tokens.

Attorneys are not permitted to carry any items or papers into the visiting area unless:

1. They are the legal representative of the inmate they visit; and,
2. They have prior approval of the deputy warden for programs on the advice of the facility's attorney.

NOTICE T0 VISITORS
AS OF MARCH 1, 2008

All persons entering a Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) facility are subject to search, including an electronic (metal detector and parcel x-ray machine) and/or physical search. Any individual who refuses to be searched will be denied entry into the facility.

To help prevent weapons and other dangerous objects from being introduced to a correctional facility, highly sensitive metal detectors have been installed at each KDOC facility. The metal detectors used by KDOC are safe and do not affect or interfere with the operations of pacemakers or defibulators but may be more sensitive than those used at courthouses, airports or other public applications. The following procedure may already be in effect at some facilities but will be fully effective for all visits on and after April 1, 2008.

In order to successfully clear the metal detector, you will need to be mostly free of metal objects. You will be asked to place all personal items on a tray for inspection. Be prepared to remove your watch, jewelry, belts, badges, suspenders, hair accessories and/or eyeglasses. Buckles, metal stays, snaps, and under-wire bras may also cause the detector to activate. It may also be necessary that you remove your shoes.

Please note that some medical devices that are worn or some medical implants may activate a metal detector. Orthopedic implants such as hip and knee replacements will almost always activate an alarm.

In addition, implanted plates, screws, wires, nails, rods or pacemakers may be detected as well. If you have a medical condition that may prevent you from clearing a walk-through metal detector, you will need to provide the facility with written documentation from a physician stating the condition(s) that may possibly prevent you from clearing the metal detector. For persons unable to walk through the metal detector (non-ambulatory) written documentation from a physician will be required. The documentation must be provided prior to entry into the facility.

In order to expedite the entry process, all persons entering the facility should avoid excess jewelry, metal hair accessories, and clothing with metal affixed (buckles, snaps, stays etc.). Individuals will be given three opportunities to clear the walk through metal detector. If the person has not cleared after three attempts a hand held metal detector will be used. A pat search of the area where a medical device is located may be required in order to determine that no other items are in that area. Persons needing handheld detection may have to wait until others are processed through the walk-through detector. Please expect a delay if you are unable to successfully clear the walk-through metal detector. Individuals who do not clear the walk through and hand held metal detectors will not be permitted to visit on that day.

The Kansas Department of Corrections is committed to operating safe and secure correctional facilities. While we understand that searches can be an inconvenience, they are critical to the department’s mission. We ask that you cooperate with our mission by reporting to the facility with as little metal or other items on your person as possible.

 

Overview | Visitor Information | Programs | History | Warden
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