“These grants are all about providing incarcerated persons with tools they need to get back on their feet so that they can be productive members of our state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Education, job skills, and mental health and substance abuse programs are the keys to reducing recidivism in our criminal justice system.”
The four-year grant partners KDOC with the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute (UCCI) in an intensive adult reentry program called Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity and Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism.
“One of our greatest priorities is to help our residents gain the skills they need to remain successful once they leave us,” Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda said.
The grant will also support data collection and evaluation by UCCI on the impact of reentry programs at both facilities.
]]>NCF residents completed 41 of the 58 hand-crafted Prayer Shawls for the project. Mentors were recruited to teach any resident who was approved to participate in the Prayer Shawl community project how to crochet if they did not already know. Residents chose the yarn to use in their project, with many commenting they wanted to do a good deed, have the opportunity to give back to the community, and bring comfort to someone.
The full story includes quotes from several of the residents who participated, and pictures of their final projects. The story ran in a recent edition of the "Norton Telegram" or read the full story on the Norton Correctional Facility Facebook page.
]]>This year’s theme of “Rights, Access, Equity for All Victims” underscores the importance of helping crime survivors by enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services and ensuring equity and inclusion for all. Learn more at this website: https://ovc.ojp.gov/ncvrw2022/overview
]]>Reinhardt had been placed on escape status after he walked away from Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) at approximately 11:45 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2021 after he did not report for work.
At this time no other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.
The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state facility with a population of 79.
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]]>The program matches a mentor with a resident (aka mentee) who is within six months of his or her release date. The mentor and mentee then continue this relationship for six months after release. Since 2011, KDOC's mentoring program has assisted close to 9,000 individuals.
There are any number of benefits that come from forming a strong relationship with someone in the community prior to release. The mentor becomes part of a critical support team in those early days following release. This can include helping to find items for basic needs, such toothbrushes/toothpaste, blankets/sheets, laundry baskets, toilet paper, cleaning products and dishes for those going into apartments.
For one individual released in early January, the care and consideration shown to him (selecting clothes in his size and delivering them to him, providing personal hygiene items, etc.) prompted a thank you to the mentoring staff and program coordinators. In a recent update to KDOC staff, Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda shared the message: “I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and bless you for what you’ve done for me it was a fantastic thing. I needed it all so bad. I just wanted you to know that my prayers and thoughts are with you today. Thank you.”
If you are interested in learning more about KDOC mentoring opportunities, please email KDOC_Pub@ks.gov or call (785) 296-3317.
]]>Both individuals are first-generation college students in their families, and both plan to continue their education to pursue bachelor's degrees. The following are brief excerpts from their graduation speeches:
“As for myself I look back on my life and see how I used to be. It is the complete opposite of who I feel I have become. To see this change is only a recent realization for me, one that leaves me in awe of the capacity of humanity to grow out of the pain and suffering too many must endure and become something wonderful. Education for me has been a life-altering factor. It has given me the sense of purpose and motivation to become something more than my past would lead you to think I would become.”
"I want to start by saying lights do shine in dark rooms. College has been that light . . . inside KDOC. Thank you for seeing the need to help inmates seek a brighter future with higher education. This education opens up doors to people who are forever labeled in society."
Education is an essential part of KDOC's Strategic Plan, Pathway for Success. The benefits of providing education opportunities for residents of KDOC facilities are far-reaching, not only for the individual but also for Kansas employers and the economy. KDOC releases approximately 6,000 individuals each year who return to their home communities, and 98 percent of the men and women in Kansas prisons today will return to live as neighbors and members of our society.
A successful return to life after incarceration is far from a sure thing for too many. Access to a good job and a livable wage, one of the cornerstones of successful reentry, is beyond the reach of many who have paid their debt to society and are ready to rebuild their lives. Research shows individuals who achieve a steady employment with a livable wage after incarceration are one-third less likely to return to prison. Jobs often require training or certification, and in many cases an associate's or bachelor's degree.
]]>June 24th at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex (KJCC), Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda presented 24 students with their high school diploma and are now graduates of Lawrence Gardner High School (LGHS).
This is a fully accredited school within the facility, and includes fully licensed teachers, a full-time administrator/principal, para-educators and office assistants. The curriculum is computer-based, with each student completing a self-paced, individualized curriculum.
“For these 24 graduates, this is a stepping stone to a future full of possibilities.” Secretary Zmuda said. “They were cheered on by their families, teachers and staff, and it was a great day of celebration. Great work by our educators at staff at KJCC!”
]]>While at KJCC to pick up the toys, games and sporting equipment, the Marines spent some time with the young residents talking about their futures and where the toys would be going.
Giving our residents the opportunity to give back is an important part of learning to make better choices in life. An unexpected and equally impactful bonus was the chance to have such outstanding role models visit with the residents and thank them for their generosity.
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Only ten individuals are nominated each year across 53 states and territories. This includes hundreds of ICAOS staff and thousands of supervising officers.
The nomination applauds Maples’ dedication for going above and beyond to ensure an offender continued to receive the right services and support, protecting the community and avoiding the need for incarceration and the expense of extradition.
To learn more about the Interstate Compact, please see Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS) — (ks.gov)
]]>The KLC leadership path teaches that leadership is an activity, not a position, and that anyone within an organization can be an effective leader. The first step is a two-day virtual or in-person training called “Your Leadership Edge.” Last year, 37 KDOC staff completed this training, and 38 staff are involved in the first step of training this year.
The next step is “Lead for Change.” Participants meet weekly for six weeks and training includes a deeper dive into the KLC leadership framework with skill building activities in the areas of the change process, confronting assumptions and personal feedback. The final step, “Equipped to Lead,” is a two-day training covering advanced leadership strategies and challenges participants to develop ways to apply what they have learned to their roles within KDOC.
To support those who have completed various levels of the training, KDOC staff coordinate monthly “Virtual Leadership Stretch” Zoom sessions. These sessions give staff a chance to reconnect, discuss ideas and receive feedback on their own leadership activities throughout the department.
In addition, Matthew Beyer, EDCF staff development manager, Greg Perez, TCF staff development manager, and Jessica Homolka, KDOC leadership and supervisory trainer, are completing one of KLC’s intensive trainings, “Teach Leadership.” This is a 50-hour virtual training to further develop teaching and leading skills they can then use to expand opportunities within KDOC for additional staff to benefit from this leadership training.
Staff development and training are focus areas within KDOC’s strategic plan, Pathway for Success. All staff are given opportunities to gain new skills for personal and professional advancement and to support the work they do with individuals served by KDOC. Through the partnership with KLC, KDOC staff have opportunities to develop skills to lead in any situation, mobilize others in positive ways and create change for future success.
]]>The KDOC-sponsored training includes many hours of classroom instruction plus working with coaches to gain skills to help in their work as case managers. Two staff members – Chris Merritt and Derick White – were recognized for going above and beyond in their classroom, coaching and training efforts. Academy graduates are:
This case management training is an important part of the skills and capacity-building for KDOC and community corrections staff, providing the tools that support residents and to increase their success when returning to the community.
]]>To begin using this service, please sign up at https://visit.telmate.com/user/messages.
For more information, please see https://www.doc.ks.gov/facilities/inmate-communications/electronic-messaging.
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