Kansas State Prisons

Kansas State Prison System Overview

Number of State Prisons and Kansas Management Structure

The state of Kansas operates eight state prisons under the management of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC). The KDOC is responsible for overseeing the state’s correctional facilities, inmate management, and rehabilitation programs. The current Secretary of Corrections is Jeff Zmuda.

Incarceration Rate

As of the latest data, Kansas has an incarceration rate of approximately 370 per 100,000 people. This is slightly below the national average in the United States.

Locating a Prisoner

You can use the Kansas Adult Supervised Population Electronic Repository (KASPER) to locate an inmate within the Kansas prison system. This online database provides public access to information on persons currently incarcerated, under parole supervision, or recently released from prison.

Family Visitation Rules

Family visitation is an integral part of the rehabilitation process. The KDOC encourages visits to help maintain family bonds.

General visitation rules include:

• Visitation Schedule: Each facility has specific days and hours for visitation.
• Approval Process: Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list.
• Dress Code: Visitors must adhere to a strict dress code.
• Conduct: All visitors must comply with facility rules and regulations.

Classification of Prison Security Levels

Kansas prisons are classified into different security levels:

• Minimum Security: For inmates who pose the least risk of escape or violence.
• Medium Security: For inmates who require more control than minimum-security levels but less than maximum-security levels.
• Maximum Security: For inmates who pose the highest risk of escape or violence.
• Special Management Units: For inmates requiring special supervision.

Parole and Factors in Making Parole Decisions

The Role of the Kansas Prisoner Review Board (PRB)

The Kansas Prisoner Review Board (PRB) plays a pivotal role in the state’s criminal justice system, primarily focusing on decisions related to parole, post-release supervision, and clemency for inmates within the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).

Composition and Structure

The PRB is composed of three members appointed by the Governor. These members are tasked with making informed decisions based on thorough evaluations of each case, ensuring that public safety and justice are served.

Key Responsibilities

Parole Decisions:

• Eligibility: The PRB reviews cases of inmates who are eligible for parole. Eligibility is generally determined by the inmate’s sentence and statutory requirements.
• Hearings: The Board conducts parole hearings, during which it assesses the inmate’s readiness for release based on various factors.
• Decision-making: Decisions are based on comprehensive reviews of inmates’ behavior, rehabilitation efforts, risk assessments, and other relevant information.

Post-Release Supervision:

Supervision Plans: For inmates granted parole, the PRB establishes conditions for their supervision in the community.
Compliance Monitoring: The Board ensures that parolees adhere to the conditions set forth in their supervision plans.

Factors Considered in Parole Decisions

The PRB considers a multitude of factors to ensure that parole decisions are fair, balanced, and prioritize public safety:

• Behavior and Conduct: An inmate’s behavior during incarceration is closely scrutinized. Positive behavior and adherence to prison rules can favorably impact their parole prospects.
• Rehabilitation Efforts: Active participation in educational, vocational, and rehabilitative programs is a critical factor. Demonstrated efforts towards self-improvement and skill acquisition are considered positive indicators.
• Risk Assessments: The Board conducts risk assessments to evaluate the likelihood of reoffending.
• These assessments often include psychological evaluations and reports from prison staff.
• Victim Impact Statements: The Board takes into account statements from victims or their families, weighing their concerns and perspectives.
• Support System: It is crucial to have a stable and supportive environment post-release. This includes family support, employment opportunities, and housing arrangements.
• Criminal History: The inmate’s past criminal record, including the nature of prior offenses and any history of violent behavior, is reviewed.

Parole Hearing Process

• Notification: Inmates and relevant stakeholders are notified of upcoming parole hearings.
• Preparation: The inmate prepares for the hearing, often with the assistance of legal counsel or a case manager.
• Hearing: During the hearing, the inmate presents their case, which may include demonstrating their rehabilitation efforts and plans for reintegration. Victims may also present their statements.
• Deliberation: The PRB deliberates in private, considering all evidence and testimonies.
• Decision: The Board issues a decision, which can include granting parole with specific conditions, denying parole, or deferring the decision for a future date.

Educational Vocational and Rehabilitative Programs

Educational Programs

Kansas state prisons offer various educational and vocational programs aimed at reducing recidivism:

• Adult Basic Education (ABE)
• GED Preparation and Testing
• Post-Secondary Education: College courses and degree programs in collaboration with local community colleges.

Vocational Training

Vocational programs include:

• Automotive Repair
• Welding
• Carpentry

Rehabilitative Programs

• Rehabilitative programs focus on addressing the underlying issues leading to criminal behavior:
• Substance Abuse Programs: Treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
• Mental Health Services: Counseling and psychiatric services.
• Anger Management: Programs to help inmates control aggressive behavior.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To change negative patterns of thinking.
• Faith-Based Programs: Religious services and faith-based support groups.

Kansas State Prisons News (Fox-4 News)

Three Kansas Prison Officers Injured As Multiple Deaths Occur At Lansing Correctional Facility:

Pros and Cons of the Kansas State Prison System

PROS

• Comprehensive Rehabilitation Programs: Wide range of educational, vocational, and rehabilitative programs.
• Family Visitation: Policies that support family connections during incarceration.
• Parole System: Structured process for evaluating parole readiness.

CONS

• Overcrowding: Some facilities face issues with overcrowding, impacting living conditions and resource availability.
• Funding Constraints: Limited funding can affect the quality and availability of programs and services.
• Reentry Support: Need for more robust reentry programs to support inmates transitioning back into society.

Sources & References

Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC)
Kansas Adult Supervised Population Electronic Repository (KASPER)
Kansas Prisoner Review Board (PRB)
Visitation Information – Visitation Rules

KANSAS STATE PRISONS:

El Dorado Correctional Facility

El Dorado Correctional Facility
1737 SE US Highway 54
El Dorado, KS 67042

Telephone: (316)-321-7284

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​El Dorado Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 311
El Dorado, KS 67042

Ellsworth Correctional Facility

Ellsworth Correctional Facility
1607 State Street
Ellsworth, KS 67439

Telephone: (785)-472-5501

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Ellsworth Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 107
Ellsworth, KS 67439

Hutchinson Correctional Facility

Hutchinson Correctional Facility
500 Reformatory Street
Hutchinson, KS 67501-3081

Telephone: (620)-662-2321

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Hutchinson Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 1568
Hutchinson, KS 67504-1568

Lansing Correctional Facility

Lansing Correctional Facility
301 East Kansas Avenue
Lansing, Kansas 66043

Telephone: (913)-727-3235

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Lansing Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 2
Lansing, Kansas 66043-0002

Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility

Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility
1318 KS Highway 264
Larned, KS 67550-0280

Telephone: (620)-285-6249

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility
1318 KS Highway 264
Larned, KS 67550

Norton Correctional Facility

Norton Correctional Facility
11130 Road E4
Norton, KS 67654

Telephone: (785)-877-3389

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Norton Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 546
Norton, KS 67654-0546

Inmate Name, ID Number
NCF-East Unit
P.O. Box 527
Stockton, KS 67669

Topeka Correctional Facility

Topeka Correctional Facility
815 S.E. Rice Road
Topeka, KS 66607

Telephone: (785)-296-3432

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Topeka Correctional Facility
815 S.E. Rice Road
Topeka, KS 66607

Winfield Correctional Facility

Winfield Correctional Facility
1806 Pinecrest Circle
Winfield, KS 67156

Wichita Work Release
401 S. Emporia St.
Wichita, KS 67202

Telephone:

Winfield Correctional Facility:  (620)-221-6660
Wichita Work Release:  (316)-265-5211 ext. 221 or 208

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Winfield Correctional Facility
1806 Pinecrest Circle
Winfield, KS 67156

Inmate Name, ID Number
Wichita Work Release
401 S. Emporia St.
Wichita, KS 67202

Related Articles…