El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) is a maximum-security prison located in El Dorado, Kansas. The facility was built in response to a class action lawsuit in 1988 that challenged prison conditions in Kansas. The $58 million facility was constructed to house 640 adult male residents, with the potential for future expansion of 725 additional beds.
The Kansas Department of Corrections operates the facility, which houses inmates who have been convicted of serious crimes, including murder, rape, and robbery. Inmates at EDCF are provided with a range of services and programs, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The facility also offers religious services and a variety of recreational activities for inmates.
Despite the efforts of staff and administrators, incidents of violence and unrest have occurred at EDCF in recent years. In 2019, a riot broke out at the facility, causing significant damage to the prison and injuring several staff members. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about prison safety and the need for continued reform within the Kansas Department of Corrections.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 1,511 |
| Physical Address | 1737 US-54, El Dorado, KS 67042 |
| Mailing Address | 1737 US-54 P.O. Box 311 El Dorado, KS 67042 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (316) 321-7284 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
El Dorado Correctional Facility was established in January 1991 after a class action lawsuit challenged the prison conditions in Kansas. The facility was built to house 640 adult male inmates, with the potential for future expansion of 725 additional beds. EDCF was consolidated administratively with the El Dorado Correctional Work Facility and the Toronto Correctional Facility.
In 1998, a 105-bed U-Dorm Unit was added at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. The facility has since undergone several expansions and upgrades, including the addition of a Southeast Medium Unit and a Southeast Minimum Unit. These units were constructed to alleviate prison overcrowding and provide better living conditions for inmates.
Over the years, EDCF has been home to many high-profile inmates, including the infamous BTK killer, Dennis Rader. The facility has a reputation for being one of the toughest prisons in Kansas due to its strict security measures and disciplinary policies.
Currently, EDCF is managed by the Kansas Department of Corrections and houses approximately 2,000 male inmates in various levels of custody. Inmates at EDCF serve sentences ranging from a few months to life imprisonment for a range of crimes, from drug offenses to violent crimes.
Overall, the history of El Dorado Correctional Facility is marked by a commitment to providing secure and humane custody for inmates while upholding the law and protecting society.
Facility Overview
El Dorado Correctional Facility is a state prison located in El Dorado, Kansas. The facility was built in response to a class action lawsuit in 1988 challenging prison conditions in Kansas. The $58 million facility was originally constructed to house 640 adult male residents with the potential for future expansion of 725 additional beds.
Security Levels
EDCF is a multi-security level facility that houses male offenders in various custody levels. The facility has maximum-security cell houses, medium-security dormitories, and minimum-security units. The security level of an inmate is determined by their criminal history, behavior, and other factors.
Cellhouses and Dormitories
The maximum-security cell houses at EDCF are designed to house inmates who are deemed to be the most dangerous and pose the highest risk to staff and other inmates. The cell houses are highly secure and include features such as electronic doors, surveillance cameras, and razor wire fencing.
The medium-security dormitories are less restrictive than the maximum-security cell houses but still provide a high level of security. Inmates housed in the dormitories have more freedom of movement but are still closely monitored by staff.
Reception and Diagnostic Unit
Upon admission, all inmates are photographed, fingerprinted, and placed in the Reception & Diagnostic Unit (RDU). Male inmates are initially housed at EDCF’s RDU. The RDU is responsible for evaluating each inmate’s physical and mental health, determining their custody level, and assigning them to a housing unit.
Honor Camps
EDCF also operates two honor camps, which are minimum-security facilities that allow inmates to work outside the prison walls. Inmates at the honor camps are typically near the end of their sentence and have demonstrated good behavior. The camps provide valuable work experience and allow inmates to earn money to support their families.
Overall, EDCF is a well-maintained facility that provides a secure environment for the incarceration of male inmates in Kansas. The facility offers various programs and services to assist inmates with rehabilitation and reentry into society.
Inmate Services
Inmate services at El Dorado Correctional Facility are designed to provide support and assistance to inmates during their time in custody. These services include programs, visitation, mail, and money management.
Programs
EDCF offers a variety of programs to help inmates prepare for their eventual release and re-entry into society. These programs include educational opportunities, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. Inmates can also participate in religious services and self-help groups.
The programs division provides oversight for risk reduction, reentry, and case management initiatives at EDCF. The division ensures effective programming is offered to provide rehabilitative treatment to assist inmates in their return to society.
Visitation
Visitation is an important part of an inmate’s life, as it allows them to maintain contact with family and friends. EDCF has specific prison rules and regulations regarding visitation, which are designed to ensure the safety and security of both visitors and inmates.
Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list and must present valid identification. Visitation hours vary depending on the housing unit and the day of the week, so it is important to check the schedule in advance.
Call (316) 321-7284 for more information.
Inmates at EDCF are allowed to receive mail from family and friends. Incoming mail is subject to inspection, and certain items are prohibited, such as drugs, weapons, and pornography.
Inmates can also send mail to family and friends, but outgoing mail is also subject to inspection. Inmates must use pre-approved vendors for sending packages, and there are restrictions on the contents of these packages.
Money
Inmates at EDCF are allowed to have money in their account, which can be used to purchase items from the commissary or to pay for phone calls and other services. Family and friends can also deposit money into an inmate’s account.
Inmates can also earn money through participation in work programs and other activities. However, there are limits on the amount of money an inmate can earn and the types of work they can perform.
Overall, the inmate services at EDCF are designed to provide support and assistance to inmates during their time in custody. These services are an important part of the rehabilitation process and can help prepare inmates for a successful re-entry into society.
Rules and Regulations
El Dorado Correctional Facility has strict rules and regulations that visitors and inmates must follow. Failure to comply with these rules can result in disciplinary action or even criminal charges. The facility has implemented the following sub-sections to ensure a safe and secure environment for all:
Inmate Search
Inmate search is a feature provided by the Kansas Department of Corrections that allows anyone to search for an inmate in any Kansas correctional facility. This feature is useful for family and friends who want to locate an inmate and get information about their incarceration. To use the inmate search feature, visitors can visit the KDOC website and enter the inmate’s name or ID number.
RDU
The Reception and Diagnostic Unit at El Dorado Correctional Facility is responsible for receiving, evaluating, and classifying inmates. The RDU staff conducts a thorough evaluation of each inmate to determine their security level, medical needs, and programming needs. Based on this evaluation, the RDU staff assigns inmates to a housing unit that meets their needs.
OSWEGO
The El Dorado Correctional Facility has a satellite unit located in Oswego, Kansas. This unit houses minimum and medium-security inmates. Visitors to the Oswego unit must follow the same rules and regulations as visitors to the main facility.
Kansas Department of Corrections
El Dorado Correctional Facility is part of the Kansas Department of Corrections. The KDOC is responsible for the supervision and management of all Kansas correctional facilities. The KDOC has established policies and procedures that govern all aspects of correctional operations, including inmate management, staff training, and public safety.
Overall, El Dorado Correctional Facility has strict rules and regulations that visitors and inmates must follow. These rules are in place to ensure the safety and security of everyone in the facility. Visitors are encouraged to review the facility’s visitor handbook and contact the facility if they have any questions or concerns.
Expansion
El Dorado Correctional Facility has undergone several expansion projects over the years to increase its capacity and improve its facilities. The first expansion project was completed in 1995, which added 512 beds to the facility, bringing its total capacity to over 1,500 beds. Since then, there have been several other expansion projects carried out at EDCF.
In 2016, the Kansas Department of Corrections proposed an expansion project that would add two new cell houses to the facility with a total of 512 beds. The project was estimated to cost $26,983,383 for construction and $8,348,817 for salaries, operations, food service, and medical expenses. The estimated cost per inmate per day, including annual bonding costs, was $44.67. The bonding repayment was estimated to be $2,000,000 annually.
Notable Inmates
El Dorado Correctional Facility has housed a number of high-profile inmates over the years, including Dennis Rader, also known as the “BTK Killer.” In 2005, Rader was arrested and later pleaded guilty to ten consecutive life sentences for the murders of ten people between 1974 and 1991. He is currently serving his sentence at EDCF under the DOC number 0084006.
Another notable inmate at EDCF is Scott Roeder, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2009 killing of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider in Wichita, Kansas. Roeder is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole under the DOC number 0103015.
In 2017, EDCF was also home to a group of inmates who were involved in a violent disturbance that caused significant damage to the facility. The incident began as a protest against poor living conditions and overcrowding but quickly escalated into a full-scale riot. Inmates set fires, destroyed property, and attacked correctional officers. The incident resulted in several injuries and millions of dollars in damage.
Other notable inmates who have been housed at EDCF include:
- Justin Thurber, who was convicted of the 2007 murder of his girlfriend’s 19-month-old daughter. Thurber is serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole under the DOC number 0109844.
- Reginald Dexter, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1995 killing of a Wichita woman. Dexter is serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole under the DOC number 0058337.
- David Bieber, a British man who was convicted of murdering a police officer in the UK in 2003. Bieber was extradited to the US in 2009 to face charges related to a 1995 shooting in Ohio. He is serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole under the DOC number 0131452.
Overall, El Dorado Correctional Facility has housed a number of high-profile and dangerous inmates over the years and has been the site of several incidents of violence and unrest.
Contact Information
El Dorado Correctional Facility is located in Butler County, Kansas. If you need to contact the facility, there are several options available to you.
Mailing Address
If you need to send mail to an inmate at El Dorado Correctional Facility, please use the following address:
Inmate's Full Name, KDOC#
El Dorado Correctional Facility
1737 US-54
P.O. Box 311
El Dorado, KS 67042Please note that all mail must include the inmate’s full name and KDOC number, or it will not be delivered.
Phone Number
To speak with someone at El Dorado Correctional Facility, you can call the main phone number at (316) 321-7284. This number can be used to reach the facility’s administration, as well as to schedule visits with inmates.
Visitation
If you would like to visit an inmate at El Dorado Correctional Facility, you must first schedule a visitation appointment. Visitation can be scheduled online using the facility’s visitation scheduler, or by calling the designated Visitation Clerk at (316) 321-7284.
El Dorado Correctional Facility does not offer an email service for inmates or their families. If you need to contact the facility for any reason, please use one of the other contact methods listed above.
Social Media
El Dorado Correctional Facility does not have any official social media accounts. Any accounts claiming to represent the facility should be considered fraudulent.
Additional Information
For more information about El Dorado Correctional Facility, including visitation rules and regulations, please visit the Kansas Department of Corrections website.