KDOC tells Senate committee maintenance backlog, rising population push prison capacity and capital priorities

Madam Chair and members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee heard a budget and operations briefing today from Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda, who outlined staffing gains, rising inmate numbers, deferred facility maintenance, and capital projects that the agency says are needed to meet future demand.

Zmuda told the committee KDOC has just over 3,500 authorized positions, about 60 percent of which are uniform or security roles, and that staffing has improved since 2022 after state investments in compensation reduced vacancies. "In January 2022, we had about 460 uniform vacancies; since July of 2025 we've had between it's fluctuated between a 165 and a 185 uniform vacancies," he said.

The secretary said the adult incarcerated population has climbed back toward pre'pandemic levels and that facility capacity will be strained in the mid' to late'2028 period unless steps are taken. He described a multi'year capital plan and singled out a support services building at the Topeka Correctional Facility for women that is currently under design; Zmuda said construction would begin in late spring with an estimated 18'month timeline to completion. "It will increase our capacity for our medical and behavioral health care to better serve that population," he said.

On deferred maintenance, Zmuda said KDOC has received roughly $4,300,000 annually from gaming revenue for many years and that the legislature provided an additional $4,000,000 two years ago. "That has not kept up" with inflation and the agency faces an aging plant and unmet repair priorities, he said. Committee members asked where the additional dollars have been spent; Zmuda said the supplemental funding is being distributed across facilities and that Hutchinson in particular has substantial maintenance needs.

KDOC also highlighted programming and reentry work. The department pointed to growth in education and certification opportunities for residents, expanded resident work opportunities, and a selection as one of four states for the Fair Chance to Advance initiative to improve employment pathways after release. "95 percent of our incarcerated population will one day return to the community," Zmuda said, arguing that education, work, housing and behavioral health services improve public safety.

The secretary acknowledged operational challenges with a recent rollout of a new offender management system, particularly in resident banking, and said the department is working through those issues. He also described contraband as a major operational focus and said addressing it consumes substantial staff attention.

On contracts and the governor's budget recommendations, Zmuda listed key elements the administration supports: funding the food service contract for the current and next year, an anticipated increase in the health care contract when it is reprocured, funding a victim notification contract (VINE) to serve roughly 40,000 registered victims, renovation funding to support a nursery program, and a state employee pay plan.

Committee members followed with questions. Senators asked whether falling recidivism could be attributed to KDOC programs or broader crime trends; Zmuda responded that crime is down in Kansas overall and that expanding community resources, jobs and housing contribute to reducing recidivism. Members also pressed for an update on the Hutchinson facility project; Zmuda said the Hutchinson replacement is not included in the governor's current budget recommendation and suggested revenue constraints as a likely reason.

Closing the exchange, the chair confirmed KDOC will return for further juvenile justice briefings next week as legislation from the House (House Bill 2329) is expected to arrive. The committee adjourned with scheduling details for future hearings.

Next steps: KDOC and the Sentencing Commission will appear again for follow'up briefings and for consideration of related budget items and legislation.