here is an excitement growing throughout the facilities within KDOC thanks to 1) the game of chess, 2) a non-profit organization in New York City called The Gift of Chess, and 3) a KDOC resident who is scheduled to be paroled in 2025. The first ever KDOC Chess Champion will be crowned June 28th during an online tournament. It’s part of a whirlwind idea sparked by Tony Ballard, a resident chess guru at the Wichita Work Release Facility. Ballard has used the game of chess as a cognitive rehabilitative tool to help change his life around. His success on the chess board has opened the door for him to meet and befriend other chess players outside the facility, including Russell Makofsky, chess teacher and founder of a non-profit organization that gives away chess sets to school children and refugees around the country. Both see the benefits that come from playing the game, including developing critical thinking and decision-making skills. Through their friendship, The Gift of Chess is making quite an impact in the chess world as well as corrections communities around the world. Makofsky appointed Ballard as the Director of Prison Outreach for The Gift of Chess. Although he will not be paroled until 2025, Ballard continues to help the organization’s goal of distributing one million chess sets by the year 2030.
The Gift of Chess 2023
There is an excitement growing throughout the facilities within KDOC thanks to 1) the game of chess, 2) a non-profit organization in New York City called The Gift of Chess, and 3) a KDOC resident who is scheduled to be paroled in 2025. The first ever KDOC Chess Champion will be crowned June 28th during an online tournament. It’s part of a whirlwind idea sparked by Tony Ballard, a resident chess guru at the Wichita Work Release Facility. Ballard has used the game of chess as a cognitive rehabilitative tool to help change his life around. His success on the chess board has opened the door for him to meet and befriend other chess players outside the facility, including Russell Makofsky, chess teacher and founder of a non-profit organization that gives away chess sets to school children and refugees around the country. Both see the benefits that come from playing the game, including developing critical thinking and decision-making skills. Through their friendship, The Gift of Chess is making quite an impact in the chess world as well as corrections communities around the world. Makofsky appointed Ballard as the Director of Prison Outreach for The Gift of Chess. Although he will not be paroled until 2025, Ballard continues to help the organization’s goal of distributing one million chess sets by the year 2030.
The Kansas Department of Corrections is proud to recognize, honor, and celebrate the work of our Parole Officers throughout KDOC. This year’s theme for PPPS Week is Wellness Unveiled: Navigating the Journey. There are a myriad of traumatic stories and broken lives that our workers must wade through just to help people under supervision and guide them to a place of stability. Those journeys can take a mental toll, to say the least. So, we are grateful that this week is not only a celebration of our valued team in post supervision, but to recognize the daily grind that can impact both mind and body. So, the celebration of this week is not just about the food, fun, or activities but more importantly, about celebrating the victories of lives turned around with the help of the best post supervision team in the country.
Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week 2024
In recognition of the 23rd annual Pretrial, Probation, and Parole...more
Film producers from Hawaii recently unveiled their latest award-winning documentary, "Uncle Bully's Surf Skool" at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. The film was about surfing instructor, Uncle Bully, who taught homeless children how to surf during COVID. It is a documentary that looks to inspire others to help or become a mentor wherever they can in an effort to build community.
Uncle Bully Visits KJCC
Film producers from Hawaii recently unveiled their latest award-winning documentary,...more
For the very first time ever in the Kansas Department of Corrections, 19 residents at Ellsworth Correctional Facility were issued laptop computers for their personal use in their college classes! This incredible partnership between Ellsworth Correctional Facility, Barton Community College, and Central Office Educational staff will provide an opportunity for residents to not only utilize computers during class and for their homework, but will enable residents to complete assignments in their own living area, mirroring the opportunities provided to traditional students within the community.
Laptop Computers Issued to Barton Community College Students at Ellsworth Correctional Facility
An amazing groundbreaking day took place at the Ellsworth Correctional...more