SUPPORT SERVICES

The Support Services division is managed by the Deputy Warden for Support Services (DWSS). This division encompasses a wide variety of departments and is responsible for the every day function of the services required to run the facility, including Facilities and Vehicle Maintenance, Chaplaincy, Food Services, Laundry, Library, Mailroom, and Staff Development. The 45 staff members assigned to the Mechanical Services section are supervised by a Physical Plant Supervisor III. This section is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all equipment, buildings, locking systems, and grounds. The section also performs facility renovation, construction, oversight/services for ongoing capital improvement projects, solid waste disposal, waste water collection and disposal, water treatment and distribution, electrical power distribution and emergency power generation, and steam generation and distribution for the Central, Medium and East Units. Lansing Correctional Facility complex includes over 122 buildings situated on over 2,814 acres of land. Included in the complex are approximately 12 miles of roads, 10 miles of dikes, 15 miles of overhead electrical transmission lines, 10 miles of sewer lines, 6 miles of steam lines, 26 miles of telephone cable, 20 miles of fiber optic cable, and 18 miles of CATV cable. The administrative headquarters of Kansas Correctional Industries (KCI), as well as many of the KCI manufacturing shops, are also located on the LCF complex. All new construction and renovation projects are originated, costs estimated, administered, supervised and inspected by this department. Contact and coordination with outside architects, engineers, contractors, and other State agencies such as the Division of Architectural Services, Environmental Protection, Fire Marshal, water resources, KDHE, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also the responsibility of the Mechanical Services section.

The capital improvement program, under the supervision of the Facilities Maintenance Department, provides resources for the facility through new construction, renovation, and maintenance of existing buildings. Other renovations and minor construction projects are provided through construction funds controlled by the KDOC. Minimum security inmates provide a number of valuable services to the facility. The inmates fill numerous positions within the Facilities Maintenance Department such as draftsmen, general maintenance support (carpentry, electric, plumbing, etc.), heavy equipment operators, power plant operators, and vehicle maintenance attendants.

Vital to the everyday operation of LCF is Vehicle Maintenance. The staff of ten inmate employees and two staff equipment mechanics oversee the care of over 100 vehicles. Service reports are made on each car, van, or truck on a weekly basis. Vehicle logs monitor gas, parts, and services on the vehicles. The Department's maintenance includes everything from washing the vehicles to major overhauls and body work. Department employees are responsible for a large inventory of parts, supplies, and equipment. Vehicle maintenance strives to maintain a safe and efficient working environment.

The Chaplaincy Department oversees two functions, coordinating inmate religious support and coordinating volunteer services throughout the facility. Religion plays an active role in the lives of many inmates at LCF. LCF's two chaplains coordinate religious support to a wide variety of faith groups which include many Christian denominations, Jewish, Islamic, Moorish Science, Native American, Bhuddist, Asatru, Thelemic, and Wiccan faith groups. The Chaplaincy also coordinates special holiday events that support both LCF inmates and their families. In that two chaplains could not possibly provide the pastoral support necessary for LCF's diverse inmate population, we rely on a dedicated group of approximately 400 volunteers to assist in addressing inmate religious and activities needs. After undergoing training, volunteers supervise group activities and provide support beyond the capabilities of LCF staff. One of the most critical functions within Support Services is providing food services support to LCF inmates. Unlike other Support Service functions which are delivered by State employees, food service support is provided by Aramark Correctional Food Services, a private sector firm who is providing food service support at all KDOC facilities. Aramark provides a 2900-calorie per day diet which also addresses special religious and medical dietary needs of LCF inmates. Aramark's staff of 25 contract personnel, three minimum wage inmate industries workers, and approximately 150 inmate food service workers, provide support from LCF's four separate kitchens.

Activities support is also an important function of Support Services. LCF's Activity Specialists oversee a wide variety of inmate activities including individual health and fitness activities, arts and crafts, music groups, and inmate self-improvement groups. These inmate groups, normally led by volunteers from the greater Kansas City area, meet a diverse array of inmate interests and needs, such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, African Awareness, El Chicano (Hispanic awareness), Jaycees, Lifer's Club, and several other organizations. LCF meets its significant laundry needs by operating a laundry operation within the Maximum Unit, and two satellite laundry exchange points in the Medium Unit and East Unit. Operating with a staff of two full-time and one part-time employees and 40 inmates, LCF's laundry processes approximately 4,000 pounds of laundry per day or 1,650,000 pounds each year.

LCF's Library Specialist oversees both general interest and legal library operations at each LCF facility. The general library collection includes books as well as select periodicals and newspapers. The legal library provides legal reference materials as well as access to legal materials and typewriters. The facility makes maximum advantage of its access to the inter-library loan system. Another critical Support Service function is the delivery of mail support to both staff and inmates at LCF. Each piece of LCF's huge volume of incoming inmate mail is inspected for contraband and then processed and delivered to inmates in accordance with US Postal Service, American Correctional Association, and KDOC standards. Individual inmates and inmate religious and activity groups pay for their own postage. Mailroom staff also handle all incoming and outgoing official facility correspondence packages. LCF's Staff Development department delivers training for state and contract employees, as well as for LCF's volunteers to meet State of Kansas and American Correctional Association mandates. Additionally, the Staff Development department has delivered training to other police and corrections agencies in the greater Kansas City area.