The Kansas Department of Corrections is modifying the mission of the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF). This summer, the facility will transition into a specialized program for offenders ages 18-25, focusing on education and vocational training in efforts to better prepare them for a successful reentry into society.

The new Larned-based program will be a 300-bed unit for young adult male offenders who have identified needs for educational and/or substance abuse services. The program will specifically address the risk for these individuals to reoffend by preparing them for release with the tolls they’ll need to be productive members of their communities.

This targeted 18-25 year-old-males demographic has the state’s highest recidivism group, for a variety of reasons. Fewer than half have high school diplomas or a GED and have few marketable job skills. Since most offenders release back to the community, reducing their risk to reoffend prevents new victims and creates good neighbors who contribute positively to their community.

An important partner in this new program at LCMHF is Barton Community College. Many of the educational programs envisioned for this program will be provided by BCC, which is located near Great Bend. The College has a long-standing relationship with the KDOC at its facilities in western Kansas.

The 288-bed west unit at LCMHF will not be affected by this change and will continue to house minimum custody male inmates who areparticipating in programming and job assignments.

The number of offenders requiring the level of mental health services provided at LCMHF has outgrown the available space. While those services are currently being provided at both LCMHF and the El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF). With this change, the services will be consolidated at the El Dorado facility.

The consolidated program at EDCF will provide an additional 50 to 60 beds for the behavioral health program that serves offenders with severe and persistent mental illness.