Governor Laura Kelly, Kansas

“When we look at our correctional system, over 90-95% of those folks are going to be coming back into our Kansas communities. Be a whole lot better to use the time that they are in our system to provide an education, get training, get certificates, get licenses, so that when they come out they are ready to take the jobs that we know are available.”

Joe Reardon, President & CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

“KC Chamber members have told us the importance of reducing crime in our region and we believe one of the most effective strategies the business community can take is leading the conversation on hiring returning citizens. We believe in the importance of restoring dignity to incarcerated individuals through education and jobs training while giving them the tools to succeed when they are released from prison. We have also heard from our business community on the business case for hiring returning citizens. These team members often become the best employees a company has, and often remain the most loyal.”

Deb Kirby, Deb's Cattle Service

"I have had PI workers for over 10 years. I think this program is extremely beneficial in the reintegration of inmates to the workforce and life outside of prison. Many of these individuals have never had a job other than the streets. We try to teach skills that will benefit them wherever they decide to go once released. It also helps them to have some money in their pocket when they get out so they can hopefully get on their feet and not go back to their “old ways”. They get a peek of what life can be like if they make good choices once released."

Dave Cox, Plant Manager, Maico

“As far as reservations as far as hiring people with a felony background, there’s a lot of good guys that just simply made a bad choice at some point. Doesn’t necessarily make them a bad person for the rest of their life.”

Employers

If you are an employer interested in hiring KDOC residents, email KDOC_CareerCampus@ks.gov
 or call 785-296-3317.

READ MORE about KDOC's Work Programs

Research shows increased employment in livable wage jobs can reduce recidivism by half. Thriving, contributing citizens lead to increased public safety and community well-being. However, KDOC lacks the space in our correctional facilities to implement a broad range of career-technical education, college courses and programming that supports success in education and employment readiness.

READ MORE about the LCF Career Campus Project

To learn more, contact KDOC_Career Campus@ks.gov or call KDOC 785.296.3317.

Current Members of the Career Campus Public-Private Partnership:

• Brothers in Blue Reentry
• Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
• Donnelly College
• Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
• JE Dunn Construction
• Kansas Board of Regents
• The Greater Kansas Chamber of Commerce
• Kansas City Kansas Community College
• Kansas Department of Commerce
• Kansas Department of Corrections
• KC Common Good
• KC Crime Commission’s Second Chance
• Lumen Torch
• Reaching Out from Within
• University of St. Mary
• Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Workforce Partnership
• Zephyr Manufacturing

The first phase of this project is a 776 square foot modular classroom and small group space is located next to the minimum-security unit at Lansing Correctional Facility. The classroom was funded by Terry Dunn and donated by Donnelly College, a private university in the Kansas City, Kansas area. Donnelly has successfully operated college programs close to 20 years at Lansing.

Working with our college and career education partners, KDOC will be able to expand career-relevant training opportunities. The new education spaces will advance the concepts of how to use the best techniques, equipment and training to prepare incarcerated individuals for the workforce and success after release.

Fast Facts

• The need is significant. Recent research shows 75% entering prison had weak employment and education histories and 50% were unemployed at the time of going back to prison
• Kansas needs a skilled, ready-to-work workforce, and KDOC is part of the solution.
• We release approximately 6,000 individuals each year who return to their home communities.
• 98% of the men and women in Kansas prisons today will return to live as our neighbors and members of our society.
• Each - if given an opportunity to gain in-demand skills - represents untapped human potential that can help businesses and the Kansas economy.

• Completing a GED, at least one CTE and/or a least one college course while incarcerated increases the likelihood of achieving a livable wage.
• Jobs - good jobs with benefits - often require training or certification, or in many cases an associate's or bachelor's degree.

Join Zoom Meeting

By Phone:1-833-548-0282

Meeting ID 817 6373 0691

Passcode 474791

2021 Presentation by KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda: Second Chance Hiring

Jeff Zmuda, Kansas Secretary of Corrections, shares his thoughts on the wide-ranging benefits of "second chance hiring." KDOC residents in our correctional facilities provide a skilled, dependable workforce to solve labor shortages, gaining essential skills they need to be successful post-release.

Second Change Hiring, 2021, presentation by Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda

January 2021 KDOC Program Evaluation Results

In January 2021 an evaluation of the Kansas Correctional Industries (KCI) and KDOC's Private Industry Program was completed by Eric J. Lichtenberger, Ph.D. The study explored the impact on post-release employment and recidivism.

An Evaluation of Kansas Correctional Industries/Private Industries (KCI/PI) Programs, January 2021

Additional Research and Reports

Findings in a 2008 research conducted by the Urban Institute Justice Policy Center found:

• Eight months after release, only 45 percent of former incarcerated persons were currently employed
• Most relied upon family and friends for income after release
• Those who held jobs while in prison and participated in job training programs while incarcerated had better employment outcomes after release

Citation: https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/32106/411778-Employment-after-Prison-A-Longitudinal-Study-of-Releasees-in-Three-States.PDF

Prison Policy Initiative examined rates of unemployment among formerly incarcerated people finding they are almost five times more likely than the general public to be unemployed, and many who are employed remain relegated to the most insecure jobs. 
Citation: https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/outofwork.html

Rand Corporation had conducted research on educational needs recognizing that individuals who leave federal and state prisons return to communities where they have to compete with others for jobs. 

“As already noted, according to RAND’s research, inmates who participate in correctional education programs have a 13-percentage-point reduction in their risk of returning to prison; this indicates that every $1 invested in education can reduce future incarceration costs in the near term. More concretely, we estimated that every dollar invested in prison education programs saves taxpayers, on average, between $4 and $5 in three-year reincarceration costs.”
Citation: https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE342.html

Learn more about Correctional Facility Work Programs

The Second Chance Business Coalition promotes the benefits of second change employment and provides employers with resources to hire and provide career advancement to people with criminal records.

• https://secondchancebusinesscoalition.org/
• https://secondchancebusinesscoalition.org/get-started
• https://www.gettingtalentbacktowork.org/

The Prison Post #30 Jeff Korzenik, Author of Untapped Talent https://t.co/KttpH3l0Ne?amp=1

Untapped Talent, Jeff Korzenik https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOm5WTn246GMBIBG1JeJb9w

Second Chance Project — Dave's Killer Bread https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1R2v6Us7MEEWn91Pnd8u9w

Google Small Business Stories: Nehemiah Manufacturing Company https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-0yWGWcupg

Nehemiah Company Culture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxraJmzPlZg  

Koch Industries Editorial  Take a chance on second-chance hiring | Washington Examiner

Earning a living wage is a cornerstone of success for individuals released from prison. A living wage is a legal means to secure housing and transportation, pay off obligations to courts and victims, access ongoing treatment for substance abuse and mental health needs, and support themselves and their families. This increases the likelihood that an individual can remain crime free while improving the safety of Kansas communities.

KDOC residents who gain a livable wage job upon release are one-third less likely to return to prison.

• KDOC estimates 98% of current residents serving a prison sentence in Kansas will return to the community.

• Over 6,000 persons release from Kansas prisons in a typical year.

• Individuals on post release supervision struggle to find and sustain employment. On June 30, 2020, 37% of males (n=2,021) and 37% of females (n=267) on post release supervision were employed

• KDOC-sponsored research on Kansas prison residents found that a resident’s ability to earn a living wage upon release was improved by:

• Completion of a GED: 6% increase.
• Completion of one or more certification course: 8% increase
• Completion of one college course: 20% increase.
• Holding an industry job six months or longer while incarcerated: 25% increase.

Employers

If you are an employer interested in hiring KDOC residents, email KDOC_CareerCampus@ks.gov
 or call 785-296-3317.

Three Stories

In early 2020, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly visited three private industries that employ KDOC residents. Interviews with the Governor, business owners and residents illustrate the life-changing opportunities these experiences have for residents, and the impact on both the Kansas economy and employers looking for skilled employees.

CSG

CSG + KDOC from Trevor Mowry on Vimeo.

Seat King

KDOC + Seat King from Trevor Mowry on Vimeo.

MAICO

KDOC + Maico from Trevor Mowry on Vimeo.

https://csg-org.zoom.us/j/84785052584?pwd=h3lw6tD9WrAk0srqF9qeQ4WsBysZNW.1

November 14: 3:00 - 4:30 PM 

Meeting ID: 847 8505 2584

Passcode: 848336

Pathways to Success Action Plan

Pathways to Success Accomplishments

PLEASE NOTE: COLD CASE PLAYING CARDS have been distributed to all Correctional Facilities. They are not currently available for the general public to purchase. Those eligible to purchase through Kansas Correctional Industries can do so at https://kansasci.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=10534.

_______________________________________________

• April 25, 2022 Media Release
• Background/Development

2022 Cold Case Playing Cards (pdf)

Other states have solved multiple cold case homicides, missing person cases or suspicious deaths through the use of specially created playing cards.  Distributed to residents of state correctional facilities and county jails, these cards highlight case information in hope that persons familiar with a case will come forward with a fruitful tip.

As an example, Connecticut has produced multiple decks and has solved 20 cases with their program. For more information about Connecticut’s program, visit their website by clicking here.

For more information about the project in Kansas, please email KDOC_Cold_Case_Cards@ks.gov.

If you have any information regarding a Kansas Cold Case, please call 1-800-KS-CRIME.

Resources and Links:

KDOC Office of Victim Services - Office of Victim Services — (ks.gov)

KBI Victims Assistance - KBI - Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Law Enforcement Victims Assistance Program

AG’s Victim Services Division - Victim Services - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

Crime Victims Compensation - Victim Compensation - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

Remembrance Receptions - Crime Victims Remembrance Recptions - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

KBI Unsolved Cases - KBI - Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Governor's Reward

Kansas Missing and Unsolved - Kansas Missing & Unsolved - Home | Facebook

CrimeStoppers

            Wichita - Crime Stoppers of Wichita - Sedgwick County (wichitasedgwickcountycrimestoppers.com)

Media coverage:

Detectives looking for help before cold case grows colder (kwch.com)

FF12 Investigation: Detectives believe murdered restaurant owner knew his killer (kwch.com)

Police have suspect in 2013 cold-case murder (kwch.com)

Playing cards are a new strategy in solving cold cases in Kansas

Podcasts:

 8/11/2022

Dealing Justice – Joshua Jernagin

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-of-hearts-joshua-jernagin-ks-deck/id1504742935?i=1000575837452

7/15/2022

Dealing Justice – Ernie Ortiz

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-of-hearts-ernie-ortiz-ks-deck/id1504742935?i=1000569975929

6/13/2022

Dealing Justice – Gary Leo Nelson

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-of-spades-gary-leo-nelson-ks-deck/id1504742935?i=1000568393131

 News stories:

8/28/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Glenna Bullard

https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/29/kansas-cold-cases-glenna-bullard/

 8/14/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Anna Marie Baldwin

https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/15/kansas-cold-cases-anna-marie-baldwin/

 8/8/2022

Families of Kansas’ cold case victims find new hope for answers from an unexpected source — the state’s prisoners

https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/families-of-kansas-cold-case-victims-find-new-hope-for-answers-from-an-unexpected-source-the-states-prisoners/

 7/31/2022

https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/01/kansas-cold-cases-margaret-tighe/

 7/17/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Nelson Jones

https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/18/kansas-cold-cases-nelson-jones/

 7/10/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Carla Avery, Eric Avery, Tamesha Lee, Marvin Woods

https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/11/kansas-cold-case-carla-avery-eric-avery-tamesha-lee-marvin-woods/

 7/3/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Tirell Ocobock

https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/04/kansas-cold-cases-tirell-ocobock/

 6/13/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: James Winston III

https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/13/kansas-cold-cases-james-winston-iii/

 6/6/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Charles Giles

https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/06/kansas-cold-cases-charles-giles/

5/31/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Gary Leo Nelson

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/30/kansas-cold-cases-gary-leo-nelson/

 5/27/2022

Cold case project renews hope for family of Beloit murder victim

Cold case project renews hope for family of Beloit murder victim (kwch.com)

 5/24/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Arthur Goebel

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/23/kansas-cold-cases-arthur-goebel/

 5/17/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Clarence “Butch” Lavin

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/16/kansas-cold-cases-clarence-butch-lavin/

 5/9/2022

Kansas Cold Cases: Joshua Jernagin

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/09/kansas-cold-cases-joshua-jernagin/

 5/2/2022

KS Cold Cases: John Waller

https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/02/ks-cold-cases-john-waller/

 4/28/2022

Tirell Ocobock and John Waller homicides spotlighted in playing cards being given to Kansas inmates

https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/2022/04/28/kansas-cold-cases-inmate-playing-cards-tirell-ocobock-john-waller/7446543001/

4/27/2022

Kan. LE issue cold case playing cards to inmates to generate new leads

https://www.police1.com/investigations/articles/kan-le-issue-cold-case-playing-cards-to-inmates-to-generate-new-leads-FlmrzAy0C2twGxQf/

• Kansas detectives hope playing cards help solve dozens of cold cases

https://www.kwch.com/2022/04/25/kansas-detectives-hope-deck-playing-cards-can-help-solve-dozens-cold-cases/

• Department of Corrections, KBI announce new Cold Case playing card set

https://kvoe.com/2022/04/25/department-of-corrections-kbi-announce-new-cold-case-playing-card-set/

• Playing cards give Kansas prison inmates a chance to help solve cold cases. Here’s how

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article260740007.html

4/25/2022

1. Effort aims to heat up cold cases with playing cards for prisoners

https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/25/effort-aims-heat-up-cold-cases-with-playing-cards-prisoners/

1. Kansas detectives hope a deck of playing cards can help solve dozens of cold cases

https://www.kwch.com/2022/04/25/kansas-detectives-hope-deck-playing-cards-can-help-solve-dozens-cold-cases/

1. Former police officer, daughter of murder victim finds hope in new effort to solve cold cases

https://www.kwch.com/2022/04/25/police-officer-daughter-murder-victim-finds-hope-new-effort-solve-cold-cases/

1. Shawnee Co. cold case investigators hopeful for prison playing cards program

https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/26/shawnee-co-cold-case-investigators-hopeful-prison-playing-cards-program/

2024 PREA Annual Report

2020 PREA Information

2020 PREA Annual Report

2019 PREA Information

2019 PREA Audit Report

Cloud County Annual Report Review

There have been no reports of sexual victimization of PREA issues during the previously report year.
(FY2018) There are no deficits or areas that need corrective action at this time. Agency policies and practices are continually monitored so that they can meet the facility needs to keep residents and staff safe.
There was one report made in December of 2015 that was unsubstantiated.

The survey of Sexual Violence Summary can be found at the County Clerk's Office.