Petitions That Can Make A Difference in Kansas Prisons Now

https://www.change.org/p/demand-humane-conditions-and-accountability-at-hutchinson-correctional-facility-hcf

Community standard healthcare is  a basic responsibility of any detention facility.

 https://www.change.org/p/insulin-pumps-for-type-1-diabetic-prisoners-to-lower-health-risks-and-reduce-costs

https://www.change.org/p/implement-air-conditioning-in-all-kansas-state-prisons

Here is KDOC pleading for mercy for inmates living in sweltering condition, to the tune of $453 million in 2024

https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2024-12-05/kansas-says-prison-cells-with-no-air-conditioning-risk-a-lawsuit-theres-a-plan-for-a-new-prison

Here is KDOC refusing to consider retrofitting the prison for air conditioning in 2021.

https://klrd.gov/2024/12/18/hutchinson-correctional-facility-capital-improvement-projects

In addition to signing this petition, call (785)296-3232, press 5, and tell them that it is unacceptable that KDOC willingly chose to deny inmates a safe environment (read the petition about how heatwaves and lack of protection from the heat cause an unsafe environment in prisons!) for four years now, in order to use human suffering and threats of a lawsuit as  pawns in a game to gain control over hundreds of millions of dollars.  

Ask the intern you speak with how closely the state is really looking at these contracts and how closely they are examining the trusts and investment portfolios of the people asking for all this money, and the businesses they contract with.   Then, tell Governor Kelly's staff that this is unacceptable.  Buildings must be retrofitted now, regardless of plans for bigger better buildings, and tell them about this petition!

I do want to remind you to be kind.  I have been observing communications from KDOC to the public and I do not feel that this organization is very honest to our governor.  

For a little bit of background:  In a December 2024 news article on KCUR, KDOC made a public pea for $453 million to build a new facility in Hutchinson because there is no air conditioning in the living areas of the current facility, and the resultant conditions are inhumane, a violation of constitutional rights, and could lead to a lawsuit.  Here is what KDOC didn't tell the public:  In 2021, they asked a contractor to give them an estimate of repairs and upgrades to existing facilities over the next ten years.  They considered looking into the cost of retrofitting existing prison for air conditioning, but chose to forgo the idea altogether in 2021, as well as choosing to neglect almost all of the prescribed maintenance and upgrades, in favor of procuring $453 million to build a new facility with air conditioning, housing units, and almost 1,500 square feet of space for sweatshop labor.  KDOC can retrofit any facility that needs it any day of the week.  So they should.  There is already ductwork in place.

https://www.change.org/p/governor-laura-kelly-get-a-second-chance-act-in-kansas-and-all-states