Ellsworth Correctional Facility
Phone: (785) 472-5501
P.O. Box 107
Ellsworth, KS 67439
Overview
Located on a 68.6-acre site, the ECF Central Unit currently provides housing for 832 multi-custody adult residents, while the East Unit provides housing for 95 minimum custody residents. Ellsworth Correctional Facility’s mission is to safely and effectively contain and supervise residents, while also providing for community, employee and resident safety. Furthermore, the facility plays an integral role in reducing crime and its associated costs by providing residents with a means to improve their conditions through involvement in traditional correctional programming, faith-based activities, cognitive-based activities, exposure to “real life” skills and effective staff-resident interaction. Moreover, the resident population is offered an opportunity to participate in a variety of facility-support and community-based work activities. Our ultimate goal is to encourage residents to participate in the specific programs and activities that will best prepare each resident for release and increase their opportunity for a successful law-abiding life, positively impacting not only the offenders’ lives, but also their families’ lives and the lives of all who reside in those communities.
| Don Langford | 2019-present |
| Martin J. Sauers | 2016-2019 |
| Dan Schnurr | 2011-2016 |
| Johnnie Goddard | 2007-2011 |
| Sam Cline | 2003-2007 |
| Raymond N. Roberts | 1999-2003 |
| L.E. Bruce | 1992-1999 |
| Robert Harrison | 1990-1992 |
| Michael A. Nelson | 1987-1990 |
| 1986 | The Kansas Legislature approved construction of a correctional facility to house 96 minimum-custody youthful inmates convicted of non-violent crimes. |
| 1987 | Ellsworth is selected as the location to receive the new facility that will house 252 medium-custody inmates. The facility will be called the Ellsworth Correctional Work Facility (ECWF). |
| Michael A. Nelson is named ECWF’s first Warden. (Additional administrative staff was added in 1988.) | |
| 1988 | The word “Work” is removed from the title of the facility. |
| The first inmates were transferred to ECF to help with construction of the facility. | |
| The Kansas Legislature approved an expansion of the original project to provide housing for 516 multi-custody inmates. | |
| 1990 | Governor Mike Hayden and KDOC Secretary Steve Davies dedicated the facility at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 5. |
| 1994 | For two years, the facility housed parole condition violators, conditional release violators and post-release supervision violators KDOC wanted to house separately from the general prison population. |
| 1995 | The Department of Corrections began assessing offender fees for the following: administrative fees for management of inmate trust fund accounts ($1.00 per inmate, per month); sick call ($2.00 per inmate-initiated visit); and urinalysis testing ($5.35 per confirmed positive test). |
| 2000 | Kansas Legislature approved construction of a 100-cell maximum security unit at ECF. Due to increasing numbers of medium custody inmates in the system, the unit is currently being utilized to house medium custody inmates and facility's segregation population. |
| 2004 | ECF’s Spiritual Life Center was constructed entirely with private donations to provide religious programs to inmates. |
| 2006 | Then-Senator Sam Brownback, contemplating a presidential run in 2008, spent the night at ECF and met with inmates on May 31. |
| 2012 | In the fall, a minimum-security unit (ECF East Unit) opened in the southeast corner of Ellsworth, housing 95 inmates, increasing the total operating capacity at the ECF Central and East Units to 915. |
Programs
The following are programs and services available at Ellsworth Correctional Facility:
CONTRACTED PROGRAMS
Education
The KDOC contracts with Southeast Kansas Education Service Center (Greenbush) to provide educational and vocational
services.
- Barton Community College
Provides on-site educational opportunities through a U.S. Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training (CBJT) Grant Program.- Manufacturing Skills Certification (MSC):The MSC course provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain entry level work on the shop floor of almost any manufacturing or construction company. The eight-hour credit course consists of five classes: OSHA 10 Safety Course, basic shop math, blueprint reading/geometric dimensions, precision measurement and employability skills.
- Welding Certification: The welding instruction provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain an entry-level welding job. The course covers welding for various types of metals, including oil field pipe and aluminum. The 16-hour credit course consists of six classes: OSHA 10 Safety Course, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, blueprint ready for welders and cutting processes.
- Plumbing Certification: The plumbing instruction provides the student with the skills necessary to obtain an entry level plumbing job in either the residential or commercial areas. Training is provided utilizing numerous types of tools that will be encountered in the plumbing industry. The course allows the student hands-on experience in using PVC, copper, steel, and Pex pipe and fittings. The nine-hour credit course consists of the following classes: OSHA Safety Training, Plumbing I, Plumbing II and Shop Practicum.
- Internet and Computing Core Certification: This two-course program provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the Certiport IC-3 certification examination. The three credit hour course includes instruction in introduction to computers and computer concepts and cpplications.
- GED Instruction/Testing: This course provides GED instruction and preparation throughout a 40-hour workweek.
- Work Ready Instruction/Testing: This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the Work Ready certification examination. The program includes classes in reading, locating information and mathematics.
Medical
ECF’s medical services encompass many areas of resident medical needs. In addition to the 24-hour nursing care that is available, a physician is on site 20 hours per week and a dentist is on site 30 hours each week. Services include medical screenings and physical exams; dental exams and prophylaxis with treatment that include oral surgery and limited prosthetics; optometry needs for prescribing and fitting of eye wear; ancillary services for laboratory values and x-rays; referral entities for specialty needs of brace/limb prosthetics; orthopedic consultations and surgeries; neurosurgical and neurological consultations; ophthalmological consultations for general surgical conditions; general medical diagnosis and treatments; internal medicine diagnosis and treatments; and other specialty referrals subject to approval of the state medical director. The chronic care clinic currently provides services in the following areas: pulmonary, hypertension, diabetic, cardiac, epileptic, positive HIV, TB prophylaxis, past positive TB prophylaxis and hyperthyroidism.
Mental Health
The mental health department’s overall goal is to provide services that encourage and assist the resident in making positive changes and meeting his individual needs. The mental health therapy program provides a variety of services which include mental health group counseling, intensive groups, individual counseling, psychiatric intervention, crisis intervention, psychological evaluations, activity therapy, discharge planning, tele-psychiatry to assist in the management of inmates on psychotropic drugs and on-call services. In addition, mental health professionals provide staff instruction on the assessment and management of the resident population.
Inmate Responsibility and Accountability Model (RAM) Training
The desired result of this training is that the participants will utilize the tools in their daily life. They can also apply the tools when they are released and strengthen their ability to remain on post-release supervision. The focus is on the behavior cycle, errors in thinking, thinking reports and problem resolution techniques. The course has been re-configured as a therapeutic group and targets those who successfully completed a previous group. The group meets once a week for 24 weeks.
NON-CONTRACTED PROGRAMS
Religion
The goal and objective of chaplaincy services is to assist inmates in achieving individual spiritual growth. Services are held weekly for Catholic, protestant, Muslim, Moorish Science Temple of America, Jehovah Witness, United Tribes, Wicca, Buddhist, Assembly of Yahweh, Latter Day Saints, Judaism, Rastafarian and Asatru studies for inmates wishing to attend. A Native American Sweat Lodge ceremony is held on the third Sunday of each month and a pow wow is held quarterly. A variety of counseling services are available, including marriage, crisis, family, individual sessions and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.
Numerous volunteers conduct religious services, bible studies and assist with other inmate activities.
To further support this mission, a free-standing Spiritual Life Center (SLC) has been constructed at ECF. The total cumulative cost of this capital improvement funding project was approximately $361,000. This project was accomplished primarily through the efforts of volunteers and facility staff using inmate labor. Project funding came exclusively from donations received from churches, individuals, corporations and grants from private foundations.
Reentry
- Central Kansas Reentry Program (CKRP)
CKRP primary objective is to ensure inmates have the opportunity to improve their probability of a successful return to society. The program utilizes partnerships with corrections agencies, law enforcement, victim services, mental health services, medical health providers, political and community representatives, employers and employment agencies, landlords, housing authorities and faith-based organizations.CKRP’s target population consists of inmates who are assessed with high risks and needs in specific areas of their lives, are releasing to the Central Kansas area within a 90-minute radius of the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and who are within 12-14 months from their scheduled release. Once assessed for needs in their high risk-to-reoffend areas, these individuals are referred to groups, classes and workshops designed around their case management plan to target their specific needs. The primary areas of focus include but are not limited to:- Thinking for a Change – focuses on the process of acceptance of social controls, the constructs of our environment, understanding thought patterns and ramifications of actions.
- Job Readiness Training – designed to increase the likelihood of employment stability through education, career assessments, resume building, interview proficiency and networking.
- Family Transitions – emphasizes creating positive rewards and value systems in relationships including how to avoid and handle conflicts.
- Transitional Planning – focuses on housing and reentry in the community and seeking out pro-social rewards and support systems.
- Money Matters – provides instruction on financial matters such budgeting, managing bank accounts and incorporating savings and retirement plans into a financial plan.
- Interventions – focuses on daily functioning and emotional interventions that address primary life stressors.
Pro-social supports are also a highlight of CKRP. Families attend quarterly family workshops in the community to speak with reentry and parole staff regarding release planning and community transitions.Providing community supports to individuals assures the best chance for their success. Reentry staff will continue working with the individual and their parole supervisor post-release offering services and mediation as needed until societal stability is achieved and the individual advances through the commencement process.
Bicycle Refurbishing Program
Established in 1999, the program employs 12 inmates who repair and refurbish bicycles that are then donated to less fortunate individuals in Kansas communities and throughout the United States. The bicycle parts and materials are obtained through donations by individuals, law enforcement agencies and civic organizations.
Recreation
Inmates participate in recreational or leisure time activities depending upon their physical ability, fitness and acceptable behavior. The program targets physical and mental fitness, promotes productive leisure time, and includes intramural, social and cultural programming in addition to special events. The gym and yard are open seven days a week for inmate use.
Community Access Network (CAN), Inc.
Implemented in 2003, this project is a not-for-profit collaborative initiative comprised of representatives from various Kansas government organizations and community partners. The purpose of CAN is to develop an online resource to promote social issues, identify available services, and provide community statistics surrounding social issues and services.
Wheels for the World
Established in 1993, this outreach program for Joni and Friends Ministries refurbishes used wheelchairs that are distributed throughout the world. ECF’s program also manugactures universal footrests that are shipped to other distribution centers. Additionally, the program produced a new all-terrain attachment which allows individuals in various areas of the world to maneuver a wheelchair in rough terrain. The program’s ECF supervisors are often called upon to lend their support in training and technical advice to setup similar programs in other states and countries. The program contracts with Personal Energy Transportation Kansas from Moundridge, Kan., to build parts for hand-cranked carts that are needed by those who lost the use of their legs due to polio, landmine injuries or amputation.
Library
The library provides recreational, educational, legal and other information resources contributing to the development of the inmates in their physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual well-being. The library has approximately 12,000 books, receives about 30 newspapers and magazines and provides reference collection of encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories and other ready reference books. The collection is supplemented by an efficient, state-wide inter-library loan service. Inmates are provided access to all the legal documents, cases, statutes, administrative rules and case notes through the computerized LexisNexis system. The library also provides photocopying services and typewriters for inmates doing legal work.
Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services (CARES), Inc.
Since 1999, the CARES group has worked with ECF inmates who teach puppies basic obedience and socialization skills during a three- to six-month period.Once these skills are mastered, the dogs are placed with individuals who have a variety of challenges (physical, mental or emotional).
Work Programs
ECF’s policy is to provide inmates with a variety of meaningful work/program assignments patterned after a typical workday in the community. Assignments are designed to encourage inmates to develop desirable work habits and skills while engaging in work projects for ECF and the State of Kansas.
An inmate employment assessment and job assignment program has been established at ECF which is utilized to ensure inmates are assigned jobs commensurate with their technical skills and to encourage inmates to possess positive behavioral characteristics. In addition, inmates are assigned to work crews to obtain on-the-job training which allows them to develop their work skills and assist them with reintegration into society.
ECF Family Connection Center
Visiting Information
Once a resident is eligible for visiting privileges, the resident is responsible for ensuring that his visitors receive the necessary paperwork to register as visitors. For more information, please review IMPP 10-113D: Offender Visitation.
Holiday Visitation
Information about visiting during holidays
Resident visitation at Kansas correctional facilities will be provided on the following four state holidays: Christmas Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving Day. If either Christmas Day or the Fourth of July holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, or other day where a facility has regularly scheduled visitation, the holiday will be incorporated within the regular visitation schedule and an additional visitation day will NOT be scheduled.
Resident visitation will NOT be provided on the following state holidays, unless the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, or other day where the facility has regularly scheduled visitation: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day and the day after Thanksgiving.
Volunteers
Volunteering for Service at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility
Why volunteer?
Reason 1
Volunteering at ECF gives you a good feeling.
Volunteers start working at ECF for all kinds of reasons. Some are retired. Some want to add variety to their lives, some have full-time jobs.
ECF volunteers are all different, but in one way they are the same – they keep coming back to work at ECF because it makes them feel good.
Volunteering at ECF gives you the sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you are doing something truly worthwhile.
Reason 2
Our volunteers are a select group of people.
We are picky in choosing our volunteers. You must have the following qualifications:
- Compassion
- A sincere desire to help others
- Ability to learn new skills
- Enthusiasm
- A positive attitude
- Willingness to make a commitment
Reason 3
It is a great way to make friends.
When you meet another ECF volunteer, you automatically have some things in common (See Reason 2). There is no better way to get to know people than to work with them. Many lasting friendships have been made among ECF volunteers.
Reason 4
We have lots of places you can work.
When you meet another ECF volunteer, you automatically have some things in common (See Reason 2). There is no better way to get to know people than to work with them. Many lasting friendships have been made among ECF volunteers.
ECF has many areas that need volunteers. Where you work depends upon your abilities and interest.
Do you prefer resident contact? Would you rather answer the phone, and perhaps do some typing? Do you like to be surrounded by noise and activity, or do you prefer a quiet atmosphere?
Our volunteer coordinator will meet with you individually to match your interests and skills with a job that needs to be done.
Here are some areas where you might be assigned to work:
- Mentor one-on-one visits
- Bible studies
- Worship services
- Seminars
- Parenting classes
- Help residents fill out income tax forms
- Clinic
- Mail room
- Unit team
- Chaplaincy
- Library
- Answering telephones
- Religious studies
- AA/NA
- Literary classes
- CPR classes
- Tutoring
- Drama classes
- Public speaking classes
- Spiritual life center
Spiritual life center
- Fundraising
- Telethons
- Publicity
- Grants/Foundation giving
- Project coordinator
Reason 5
We need you.
Our volunteers are very important people. That is because ECF volunteers take an active responsibility in the day-to-day programs of the facility.
Along with your time, we need your ideas. . . We are always looking for new ways to help. If you are one of those people who “needs to be needed,” you will find volunteering at our facility very rewarding.
For more information on volunteering call:
Warden
Biography: Don Langford
Warden Don Langford
Don Langford was appointed Warden of Ellsworth Correctional Facility (ECF) by KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda in November 2019.
Since joining the KDOC in 1989 as an Office Assistant at Hutchinson Correctional Facility, Langford has steadily risen through the ranks including serving as a Corrections Officer, Corrections Specialist, Corrections Counselor and Investigations and Intelligence Supervisor, Deputy Warden of Operations and Deputy Warden of Support Services. He was appointed to the Warden position at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility in October 2016.
Spiritual Life Center (SLC)
Preparing for Life
Many residents have multiple addictions to alcohol and/or other drugs, weak problem-solving and self-management skills, poor parenting skills, and low self-esteem. Residents have also typically established poor priorities in life and are involved in dysfunctional relationships. Faith communities can play a significant role in the lives of residents by providing hope, compassion, and helping them to understand and internalize ultimate issues. The SLC provides opportunities for residents from diverse faiths to develop and restore relationships with God, their families, communities and crime victims.
Why a Spiritual Life Center is needed and the benefits it offers:
ECF has constructed a freestanding Spiritual Life Center (SLC) with approximately 9,167 square feet of floor space. The design incorporates six classrooms, an audio/video/book library, two chaplain offices and a sanctuary that accommodates up to 300 people. The project was accomplished through the efforts of volunteers and facility staff using resident labor. Funding has come exclusively from donations received from individuals, corporations and grants from private foundations. Other funding has come through the residents who have sold craft items, made Jaycee’s donations and made tithes.
Current and Planned Religious Programming
Chaplaincy Services are designed to assist inmates affiliated with all recognized faith groups/denominations to achieve individual spiritual growth. Inmates are afforded opportunities to participate in their primary worship service and any special services/activities open to the general population. Various counseling services are also available including individual, marriage, parenting, crisis, grieving and spiritual counseling.
The SLC also provides space to expand support group activities such as Jaycees, Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous, Master Life, Experiencing God and Making Peace With Your Past.
Utilization of Donations & Volunteer Services
- Classroom Curriculum & Books: Funding and volunteers are needed for
classes with subjects on: spiritual growth, parenting, marriage, life skills, self-help, grief and addiction recovery. - Building & Equipment Updates: Funding continues to be needed to update the building, furniture and electronic equipment used to provide classes and programming.
- Library Updates: Monetary and material donations he
lp keep the library inventory current with newly released books, videos and audio tapes. - Transportation Costs: Funding is needed for costs associated with transporting minimum-custody residents for drama, music and testimony presentations in churches, schools and other community venues. For more information or to schedule a presentation, please contact the chaplaincy department at the phone number below.
- Concerts & Seminars: Funding and volunteers are needed to enlist quality outside groups to minister inside the prison.
- Craft/Gift Shop Materials: Donations of cloth, wood, limestone rock and tools are needed for the residents to manufacture crafts for Tender Thoughts Gift Shop.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send to:
ECF Spiritual Life Center Fund
c/o Chaplaincy
P.O. Box 107
Ellsworth, KS 67439
All donations are tax deductible per Internal Revenue Service Code, Section 170.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE APPLICATION
Return completed Service Application form to Chaplains Dale Bailey or Dan Vallier.
___________________________________________________
Name
___________________________________________________
Address
___________________________________________________
City, State, Zip
____________________________________________________
Home Phone Work Phone
For more information, contact:
Dale Bailey & Dan Vallier, Chaplains
Ellsworth Correctional Facility
PO Box 107
1607 State Street
Ellsworth, KS 67439
Telephone: (785) 472-5501
X46214 (Dale Bailey, Chaplain)
E-mail: Dale Bailey
X46213 (Dan Vallier, Chaplain)
E-mail: Dan Vallier