Ellsworth Correctional Facility

09/02/2026

Congratulations to our Graduates of the new Career Workshop Class!

This class was the very first to graduate from the new Career Workshop class. Career workshop was created as a Cognitive Behavioral Restructuring class for low-risk residents that are close to release, and who can benefit greatly from these tools.

The focus is not only in finding employment but is a career. Knowing that if residents find a career that is suited to their personal likes and values, they will be more likely to be successful in that position and when released. Through studying personality styles, core values and beliefs, as well as likes and dislikes, this class helps residents choose a path that will lead to success. The Cognitive Behavioral Restructuring sections are designed to help the residents work through some of the stressful situations that they may encounter, arriving at successful outcomes.

Building a positive start through career choices highly increases the opportunities for a successful release, and he ability to support themselves and their families. Great job, gentlemen! We are so proud of you!

08/26/2026

The talent and compassion at Ellsworth Correctional Facility is just astounding! These pictures are just one example. We have patients in the infirmary for extended periods of time who have no idea whether it is day or night. In order to assist them, this very talented artist painted pictures that portray day and night. These pictures can be flipped by nursing staff to help the patients know when it’s daytime and when it’s nighttime.

Just one more example of the incredible things happening at Ellsworth Correctional Facility! How fortunate we are to experience it all!

08/25/2026

Please help us congratulate our most recent ECF Basic Graduate!

COI Katherine Evans has successfully completed her Basic Training and is now advancing to her on-the-job training. She has been very engaged, and is now ready for the next step!

We are truly proud of you and are looking forward to seeing you on shift. Congratulations, and welcome to our amazing team!

08/22/2026

Congratulations, Alexander Mater! We are so proud of you!

Late one afternoon at Ellsworth Correctional Facility, a resident came up to Officer Alexander Mater during the evening meal line. The man was choking. Mater quickly administered abdominal thrusts and dislodged a piece of food stuck in the man's throat. The Red Cross of Greater Kansas recently presented Officer Mater with a Lifesaving Award for his actions that day. Read more at the link in our comments.

08/21/2026

Congratulations to Our Improving Family Relationships Graduates!

Improving Family Relationships is a Cognitive Behavioral approach to creating a better family dynamic. Improving Family Relationships focuses on: Family as a risk factor; family values; goal setting; family lifestyle factors; thoughts and beliefs about family; thinking about what they model; reinforcement through their relationships; social skills; and problem solving. The Improving Family Relationships program is 31 sessions.

This final optional module that is focused on caretaker skills and has been very beneficial for these residents. Some of the most important tools they learned were: Coping Strategies; being a better father; how to effectively discipline my daughter; how to be vulnerable and not make the same mistakes; how to show sympathy, empathy, and assertive communication; and thinking on what we want to model to others.

Congratulations, gentlemen! We are so proud of you for your successful completion!

08/21/2026

Please Join Us in Congratulating the Graduates of the Core Adult Class!

Core Adult is an updated form of cognitive restructuring regarding emotion regulation, behavior patterns, and success planning. Core Adult focuses on value clarification, setting a goal, social skills, life history, lifestyle factors, personality characteristics, changing their thoughts with cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, understanding their behavior patterns, choosing behavior responses, problem solving, and planning for their future.

This Core Adult program is 52 sessions. The graduating residents agreed that this was a very helpful program that they will use daily, both now and upon release. Some of the meaningful tools they gained were: managing my anger; positive self-talk and thinking before I do something; accepting criticism; using behavior chains; problem solving; avoiding risky situations; and better cognitive coping strategies.

Just one more way these residents are planning for their future success! Congratulations, gentlemen!

08/18/2026

Congratulations, Nicole Barr! We love our partnership with Barton Community College!

🎉 Celebrating the people who make Barton a special place!

During the President’s Forum Aug. 11, Barton recognized eight employees for reaching milestones of 5, 10, and 15 years of service. 💛🐾

🔹 Jeremy Coombs, 5 years
🔹 Mollie McReynolds, 5 years
🔹 Kim Neifert, 5 years
🔹 Jenni Bauer, 5 years
🔹 Zac Bauman, 10 years
🔹 Nicole Barr, 10 years
🔹 Trevor Rolfs, 15 years
🔹 Brandon Steinert, 15 years

Thank you for your dedication to our students, colleagues, and the Barton community! 🎊

📰 Read the full story: https://bartonccc.edu/news/service-awards-fall-26

📸 For more photos, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2bgQ

Interested in joining the Barton team? Visit jobs.bartonccc.edu.

08/14/2026

ECF Garden is a Huge Success!

Did you know that gardening is actually therapeutic? Did you also know that eating fresh produce is an incredibly healthy option to getting all the right vitamins and nutrients? Both have occurred on a regular basis this year with the garden at ECF! These residents have worked hard to plant, cultivate, and pick so many amazing vegetables!

So far to date, here is what has been produced for the residents and staff to eat:
-308.3 pounds of cucumbers
-6 pounds of eggplant
-21.8 pounds of radishes
-10 pounds of tomatoes
-9 pounds of onions
-220 pounds of okra
-6 pounds of kale
-24.5 pounds of lettuce
-34 pounds of cabbage
-830.8 pounds of squash
-42.5 pounds of peas/beans
-586 pounds of pumpkins
-279 pounds of watermelon
-577 pounds of corn
-425.4 pounds of cantaloupe
Total: 3,380.3 pounds of produce to date!

Great job to this garden crew! Thank you for your hard work!

UPDATE: added cucumbers, eggplant, radishes, and tomatoes!

08/10/2026

Please help us congratulate our recent ECF Basic Graduates!

COI Shon Yerges, COI Mateo Garcia Pedraza, and COI Edward Hillman have successfully completed their Basic Training and are now advancing to their on-the-job training. They have been a cohesive class, and are ready to progress!

We are so proud of all you and are looking forward to seeing you on shift. Congratulations, and welcome to our team!

08/08/2026