Overview of Lansing Correctional Facility

Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) is Kansas’ oldest and largest prison, housing adult male inmates with maximum, medium, and minimum security needs. Established in 1863 as the Kansas State Penitentiary, LCF has evolved into a state-of-the-art correctional facility. It currently holds around 2,400 inmates and offers various rehabilitation programs, work opportunities, and educational services to help inmates reintegrate into society. Its maximum-security section houses some of the state’s most dangerous offenders, while the minimum-security unit accommodates inmates nearing release, many of whom work in local industries.

 

Lansing Correctional Facility exterior view

Lansing Correctional Facility Contact Information

  • Address: Lansing Correctional Facility, 301 E Kansas Ave, Lansing, KS 66043
  • Telephone: +1 (913) 727-3235
  • Email: Contact through the Kansas Department of Corrections website.

Visiting Information for Lansing Correctional Facility

Visiting hours at Lansing Correctional Facility vary by security level. Typically, visits occur on weekends and holidays, lasting between two to four hours. Visitors are advised to arrive early for check-in and should expect to pass through security screenings. Personal identification, such as a valid government-issued ID, is required for entry.

Items allowed during visits are limited, generally including a small amount of cash for vending machines. Visitors are prohibited from bringing mobile phones, cameras, or large bags. Visiting areas may have both indoor and outdoor sections, with amenities for children available in some areas.

How to Book a Visit to Lansing Correctional Facility

To book a visit to Lansing Correctional Facility, you must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list. Visitors need to submit an application to the Kansas Department of Corrections for approval. Once approved, visits can be scheduled online through the prison’s visitor scheduling system. You will need the inmate’s ID number, your own personal details, and a valid ID to complete the booking process. Each inmate can usually have up to five visitors at a time, including children.

 

Directions and Parking at Lansing Correctional Facility

Lansing Correctional Facility is located just outside Kansas City, making it accessible by car via I-70. The facility is situated at 301 E Kansas Ave in Lansing, KS, and ample visitor parking is available on site. Public transportation options are limited, so driving is the most practical way to reach the prison. Visitor parking is conveniently located near the entrance to the visitation area.

 

Life Inside Lansing Correctional Facility

Life inside Lansing Correctional Facility varies depending on the security level. Inmates in the maximum-security unit experience stricter regulations and limited freedoms, with most time spent in their cells. However, all inmates have access to educational programs, work opportunities, and recreational activities. Minimum-security inmates participate in work-release programs, often employed by local industries or performing facility maintenance.

Over the years, the facility has faced challenges, including inmate uprisings and staffing shortages. In 2020, Lansing Correctional Facility made headlines as a COVID-19 hotspot, with significant outbreaks among both staff and inmates.

Famous Prisoners at Lansing Correctional Facility

Lansing Correctional Facility has housed several notorious criminals, including:

  • Perry Smith and Richard Hickock – Infamously known for the 1959 murders of the Clutter family, a crime chronicled in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. Both were executed at Lansing.
  • Lowell Andrews – Convicted of murdering his family in 1958, later executed at the facility.
  • Emmett Dalton – A member of the notorious Dalton Gang, sentenced after a failed bank robbery attempt.

FAQs About Lansing Correctional Facility

  1. What type of inmates does Lansing Correctional Facility hold? Lansing Correctional Facility houses adult male inmates, with security levels ranging from maximum to minimum.

  2. How do I schedule a visit at Lansing Correctional Facility? To schedule a visit, you must first be approved through the Kansas Department of Corrections and then book your visit online.

  3. Are there famous inmates at Lansing Correctional Facility? Yes, including Perry Smith and Richard Hickock from In Cold Blood, as well as other notorious criminals.

  4. What is the visiting schedule for Lansing Correctional Facility? Visiting hours vary by unit but typically occur on weekends and holidays. Each visit lasts two to four hours.

  5. Can children visit Lansing Correctional Facility? Yes, children are allowed to visit, but they must be accompanied by a guardian and counted toward the visitor limit.

  6. What kind of jobs do inmates have at Lansing Correctional Facility? Inmates can work in industries such as plumbing, construction, and food service, and some participate in work-release programs.

  7. What is life like inside Lansing Correctional Facility? Life varies depending on the security level, but inmates have access to educational, vocational, and recreational programs.

  8. How can I contact an inmate at Lansing Correctional Facility? Contact is typically through letters or pre-approved phone calls. Visitors can inquire further through the Kansas DOC.

  9. Does Lansing Correctional Facility offer any rehabilitation programs? Yes, LCF offers GED classes, vocational training, and substance abuse programs to prepare inmates for reintegration into society.

  10. What are the security measures at Lansing Correctional Facility? The prison operates under strict security protocols, especially in the maximum-security unit, with regular patrols, surveillance, and controlled access.

For more information about Lansing Correctional Facility, visit the Kansas Department of Corrections website.

Sources

  • Kansas Department of Corrections
  • Wikipedia – Lansing Correctional Facility
  • Local news articles on Lansing Correctional Facility events

Visit Lander County Correctional Facility