Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility

Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF) houses the young offender program within the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC). The program is designed for males age 18-25 who have been sentenced to the custody of the Secretary of Corrections. The facility provides programs that have been shown to reduce recidivism in the target population.

LCMHF consists of a medium-security central unit with 310 beds and a minimum-security West Unit with 288 beds. LCMHF is also an admission point for southwest Kansas for inmates serving a probation sanction issued by their sentencing court for a 120- or 180-day prison sanction.

The purpose of the facility’s West Unit is to provide facility support and community work programs for minimum-custody inmates and for community transition for inmates who have successfully participated in the young offender program.

The Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF) was built in response to a 1989 federal court order which directed the KDOC to meet the long-term needs of mentally ill inmates. Construction of the 150-bed facility began on the grounds of the Larned State Hospital (LSH) in 1991, and the facility was dedicated in December of that same year. The facility received its first inmates on January 22, 1992.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility are on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There are also visiting hours on the following holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. 

Visitors are not allowed into the facility after 2:00 p.m.  

Inmates in administrative or disciplinary segregation are allowed one, one-hour, non-contact visit per week on either Saturday or Sunday. 

General Visiting Guidelines

Before you are allowed to visit, you must be on the offender’s approved visiting list. Application forms are sent to potential visitors by the offender. The application must be filled out completely and accurately and returned by mail to the facility’s visiting clerk along with any necessary supporting documents. 

The approval process can take up to five weeks. Applications for minor visitors must be accompanied by an original birth certificate. Birth certificates will be returned to the applicant once they have been verified. Applications from individuals who are not U.S. citizens must be accompanied by a photocopy of the individuals passport, visa, resident alien card, permanent resident card, or employment authorization card. 

When you arrive for your 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. 

On arrival and departure from the facility, all visitors must sign the facility's visiting register. Visitors will be required to show ID upon arrival and departure.

All visitors are subject to search. Visitors who refuse the search may be subject to loss of visiting privileges.

The use or possession of all tobacco products by any person is prohibited in KDOC facilities

Any type of camera (or accessory) must be secured in the visitor’s vehicle; cameras are not permitted on the grounds.  

Purses, handbags, or other valuables are not permitted in the visiting area; these items must be secured in the visitor’s vehicle. A small wallet or coin purse is permissible.  

Each visitor is allowed to possess a maximum of $20.00 in coins only for use in the vending machines.  

Visitors are prohibited from bringing in prepared foods, such as: restaurant packaged items, fast food items, deli food items, prepared meals, or sealed, packaged food items in factory retail wrapping. This  also includes any food items prepared at home and including snacks or finger foods. 

Soft drinks/beverages, not purchased on‐site, are prohibited.  

Dress Code

All visitors are required to dress appropriately. Inappropriate dress includes, but is not limited to:

• Skirts and pants/skorts which are worn with the bottom hem higher than three inches above the crease on the back of the knees
• Skirts or dresses with vertical slits which expose the person’s legs more than three inches above the crease on the back of the person’s knees
• Shorts of any length (children ages 10 and under shall be exempt from this restriction)
• Tank tops and halter dresses
• Blue, chambray shirts and blue, pocket t‐shirts (similar to those issued to offenders)
• Any  item of  clothing that  promotes the use  of drugs/alcohol, contains  inappropriate racial/ethnic messages, obscene words or sexual content.  
• White uniforms–similar to offender uniforms
• Red ball caps and red stocking caps
• See‐through type outer clothing that is not part of an otherwise appropriate ensemble
• Any item of clothing which exposes any part of the breasts, abdomen, the lower chest area, the back below the shoulder blades, or underarms
• Any item of clothing which is worn very tightly (i.e. spandex biking pants, tight stretch pants, slacks or leggings, tight knit tops, etc.)
• Low‐riding pants which expose the flesh and/or undergarments while either standing or sitting
• Shoes with heels higher than three inches
• Shoes with wheels for skating (a.k.a. “wheelies”)

Note: This list is not intended to be all‐inclusive, and LCMHF reserves the right to deny entrance to any visitor when it is determined by the visitation officer that the visitor’s attire is unacceptable.

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

The following are programs and services available at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility:

Chaplaincy Services

The facility provides opportunities for inmates to practice their respective religious faiths. A full-time chaplain is the liaison for religious services and volunteers in the community.

Reentry

Reentry services provide programming, such as Thinking for a Change courses and support for offenders based on the inmate’s specific risk and need areas as defined by screening and offender behavior.

Private Industries

Inmate employee positions are available in non-prison based industries programs for minimum-custody West Unit inmates. These programs are designed to help inmates learn and practice pro-social skills and good work habits required to be self-sufficient, productive citizens ready to practice responsible crime-free behavior.

Pictures of Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility

Careers at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility

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