El Dorado Correctional Facility

The El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF), is a Kansas state prison for men that is located in El Dorado, Kansas. It is the state’s newest correctional facility, and it was constructed as a result of a 1988 class action lawsuit challenging prison conditions. 

The $58 million facility was originally constructed to house 640 adult male inmates with the potential for future expansion of 725 additional beds. In 1995, a 115-bed, medium-custody dormitory was created by modifying an existing industrial building. In 2001, two additional cell houses were activated at the central unit at a cost of $17.5 million. EDCF's Central Unit opened in January 1991.

This facility is designed to house special management, maximum and medium-custody inmates.  Those assigned to the Central Unit are usually repeat offenders with a history of violent behavior.

EDCF's philosophy is that inmates are sentenced to incarceration as punishment, not for punishment. The staff believes their responsibility is to increase the inmates’ abilities and motivations to live responsible, crime-free lives by providing programs and services designed to help with risk reduction and reentry efforts.

EDCF houses the most dangerous and recalcitrant inmates assigned to long-term involuntary segregation. Also, all male offenders sentenced to the custody of the Secretary of Corrections are received and processed through the EDCF Reception and Diagnostic Unit (RDU). 

In RDU, inmates receive orientation and are assigned to a custody classification, appropriate programs, and a permanent housing assignment. The management and activities at EDCF impact the entire corrections system due to the specialized nature of their operation. 

As with all other facilities under the management of the Secretary of Corrections in the state of Kansas, education, health services, and food services are provided for inmates through contracts with private vendors.

The programs division at El Dorado Correctional Facility provides oversight for risk reduction, reentry, and case management initiatives. The division ensures effective programming is offered to provide rehabilitative treatment to assist inmates for return to society. 

These programs include academic and vocational education, cognitive skills, self-help groups, and mental health services. Programs to enhance work ethics, relapse prevention, and goal setting are also available. 

Individualized treatment programs for each inmate are developed, implemented, and maintained by unit teams. The unit teams provide services to inmates in the form of work assignments, progress reviews, attitudinal and adjustment counseling, release counseling and other matters. 

For unit teams, release planning for all inmates is vital to an inmate’s successful transition into society. An inmate employment assessment and job assignment program is utilized to ensure inmates are assigned jobs commensurate with their technical skills. 

Inmates are also assigned to work crews to obtain on-the-job training which allows them to develop work skills and assist them with reintegration into society. 

One notable inmate at El Dorado Correctional Facility is Dennis Radar, AKA the BTK Killer. Between 1974 and 1991, Radar killed ten people. When he was caught in 2005, Radar pleaded guilty and was sentenced to ten consecutive life sentences.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting schedule at El Dorado Correctional Facility is based on the inmate's Last Name, and rotates in January and June. The visitation schedule rotates as follows:

From January 1st to the second weekend in June:

Inmates A-L

• Saturday 8:30am-11am
• Sunday 12pm-2:30pm

Inmates M-Z

• Saturday 12pm-2:30pm
• Sunday 8:30am-11am

From the second weekend in June to December 31st

Inmates A-L

• Saturday 12pm-2:30pm
• Sunday 8:30am-11am

Inmates M-Z

• Saturday 8:30am-11am
• Sunday 12pm-2:30pm

Holidays use the following schedule

• Memorial Day Saturday schedule
• July 4th Sunday schedule
• Thanksgiving Day Saturday schedule
• Christmas Day Sunday schedule

General Visiting Guidelines

Before you are allowed to visit, you will be asked to produce a valid picture I.D. Any valid state or government issued photo ID is acceptable i.e. drivers license, passport etc. A birth certificate can be used for minors each time they are to visit. 

All visitors are required to fill out a Visitor’s Registration Form. (Full Completion of this Form is Required Each Time You Visit) Any person refusing to complete this form will not be allowed to enter the facility. 

All persons entering must pass a metal detector screening. Anyone refusing to comply with any part of the check-in process will be denied entry into the facility. 

Visitors must leave purses, wallets, keys, make-up of any kind (to include lip balm) candy/lozenges, photographs, etc. in lockers located in the reception area. Electronic devices (i.e. pager, cameras, phones, or internet capable watches) are not allowed into the facility and must be secured in the visitor’s automobile when possible. 

Cell phones must be shut off and secured in a locker ONLY in the event you have been dropped off in order to contact your ride at the conclusion of your visit. 

All loose items in your pockets must be put in a locker with the exception of coins and tokens. Under no circumstances will personal property and/or money be accepted or exchanged during visitation with staff or offenders.

Dress Code

The following type of clothing will be considered INAPPROPRIATE attire for visiting: 

• See-through/fishnet attire 
• Tank tops/Halter tops 
• White T-shirts 
• Tube tops 
• Spaghetti strap or tie-tops 
• Braless attire 
• Backless shirts or dresses 
• Undergarments showing 
• Low cut neckline or clothing that reveals any part of the breast 
• Clothing that reveals bare shoulder, bare midriff 
• Skirts or dresses that do not cover the knee while in a sitting position or has a slit that goes above the knee 
• Spandex, leggings, jeggings or any other stretch/form fitting clothing to include skinny jeans or yoga pants 
• Wrap skirts or shirts 
• Pajamas or sleep attire 
• Hats or other headwear (excluding religious tenet) 
• Sunglasses 
• Red, Grey, or orange (hooded or not) sweatshirts 
• Collared, blue/denim button up shirt 
• Tear away clothing 
• Overalls/coveralls 
• Footwear must be worn at all times, open toe shoes are acceptable i.e. flip flops/sandals
• Shorts: except for those who are 10 years of age or under. 
• Clothing with holes/tears/scratches or rips, factory made or otherwise, despite whether or not they are all the way through the material. 
• Attire that promotes violence, illegal activities, STG affiliation or are of a sexual nature. 
• Attire that promotes alcohol and/or tobacco products 

Regardless of age, all visitors who are allowed into the facility must be dressed in compliance with this dress code. All clothing considered to be outer garments must be removed during the entry process. 

The clothing underneath the outer garments must be suitable for entry. For example, a visitor will not be allowed to enter with a tank top on even if the visitor has another garment to put over the tank top. 

The above mentioned list includes clothing that is not acceptable; however, this list is not meant to be all-inclusive. The facility reserves the right to deny any visitor when it is determined a visitor’s dress is not appropriate, even though they may not be wearing one of the previously listed items of apparel. 

If you are bringing an infant to the visit, you are allowed to bring in a diaper bag, and the contents are limited to: six diapers, three plastic (see through) bottles, one clear dispenser/baggie of wet wipes, one change of clothes for the infant, one infant blanket no larger than a standard receiving blanket, one pacifier, one baby/toddler food in factory sealed (plastic) containers only. 

Dry formula may be placed in bottle before entering the visitation area. Open formula containers are not be permitted in the visitation area. All contents of the diaper bags are subject to search. 

The Kansas Department of Corrections also allows inbound and outbound electronic messaging with inmates from family and friends who have established an account at JPay.com.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

​Programs For ​Inmates

SKIP

The Kansas Strengthening Kids of Incarcerated Parents (KS-SKIP) program is a model program designed to connect incarcerated parents to their children prior to release from prison. The initial phase of the KS-SKIP program is a 13-week parenting class that focuses on increasing the father's understanding of their role as a parent, in spite of incarceration. 

The goal is to strengthen the father-child relationship prior to release and to prepare fathers to reconnect with their child/children. The second phase is Play and Learn groups. The groups are mobile preschool environments where parents and children gather to play and learn together under the supervision of trained facilitators. 

Each week for 8-12 weeks, fathers turn an adult space into a playgroup environment for their children. When children arrive at the facility, fathers become the primary caregiver for that hour and a half session. The program's third phase includes support to the caregivers. Concurrent to the Play and Learn group, a support group is offered for the caregivers of the children.

FLIP

Directed at segregation inmates, FLIP (Fundamental Lessons in Psychology) consists of various psychological topics including: anger management, anxiety, assertiveness, cognitive self-change, depression, general mental health, grief, loss and forgiveness, men’s issues/adjustment and self-esteem. 

Chaplaincy

EDCF has two full time chaplains who facilitate, coordinate, and oversee religious programs for the Central Unit. There are over 24 different groups facilitated by the Chaplain's office including Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, Asatru, Assembly of Yahweh, Buddhist, Church of Christ Study, House of Yahweh, Innerchange, Islamic Study, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jewish Study, Latter Day Saints, Mennonite Study, Moorish Science Temple, Native Americans, Pentecostal Worship, Non-Catholic Christian Study, Sunday Services, Rastafarian, Roman Catholic Study/Mass, Seventh Day Adventists, Spanish Speaking Bible Study, and Wicca.  

The Chaplain's office provides greeting cards and reading materials to inmates as they are provided by donations.  This office also provides premarital counseling, grief counseling, memorial services, and emergency notification for families of inmates.  

Additionally, counseling is provided for inmates with families, and counseling and assistance is provided to staff as needed and requested.  The chaplains coordinate volunteer services for approximately 250 volunteers, provide training to both volunteers and facility staff, work with local community leaders and clergy and lead worship services for inmates.

Spiritual Life Center

The Spiritual Life Center is an 11,500 sq. foot structure designed to support the spiritual needs of inmates. It provides space to an increased number of inmates to attend religious services along with housing support groups such as AA and Life Skills training.  The building contains a large chapel area, a multi-purpose room, five classrooms, a library, two chaplain's offices and a conference room.  

Transitional Segregation Program (Segregation to Society (STS)

Aimed at long-term segregation inmates who have 12 to 16 months until release, the program provides a number of tools necessary for the transition to the community. Inmates in this setting have been more restricted in their movement and access to others and have not been able to attend release and re-entry classes. In-cell assignments are conducted through handouts, workbooks, manuals, etc. Instruction is provided directly to inmates by trained staff. 

Behavior Modification Program (BMP)

The BMP is a program designed to deal with transitioning segregation inmates in a stratified behavior modification program based on increased steps of privileges for demonstrated appropriate behavior and program compliance. 

The nine-month, cognitive-based program integrates inmates in a three-step process that includes portions of Thinking for a Change, Motivation for Change, PAD (Positive Attitude Development), and Anger Management programs.

Offender Workforce Development (OWDS)

OWDS works with inmates to address internal and external barriers and assesses individual interests and skills in preparation for job readiness. OWDS assists with developing such job search skills as developing a resume, completing an application, conducting a job search, honing interview skills, and discussing how to address the inmate's felony conviction.

Pictures of El Dorado Correctional Facility

Careers at El Dorado Correctional Facility

If you are interested in a career with the Kansas Department of Corrections at the El Dorado Correctional Facility, you can click here for more information.