LARNED — The Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility (LJCF) houses about 230 male juvenile offenders. LJCF has seven general population units, two mental health units and one special management unit. All units are surrounded by a secure perimeter fence.
Wendy Leiker has served as superintendent of Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility since September 2013. Leiker began her career with LJCF as a juvenile corrections officer in 2003. She served in many capacities at LJCF over the past decade as she rose through the ranks including serving as disciplinary hearing officer, captain, deputy superintendent in 2009 and acting superintendent six months prior to being named superintendent.
Residents are typically adjudicated of offenses that would be considered a felony if committed by an adult. Placement is determined by a matrix, which was implemented on July 1, 1999. The matrix was designed to place serious and violent offenders in a juvenile correctional facility and nonviolent offenders in community-based programs.
The KDOC contracts with Fort Larned USD 495 for educational services. Housed within the facility, students attend Westside High School. In 2014, the school had a total enrollment of 211. The average daily enrollment was 116. In 2014, 65 students were identified as having a disability and received special education services. In total, 20 students earned a high school diploma and 10 earned GED diplomas. College credit courses, are available at the facility through Barton Community College. In 2014, 40 students had enrolled in post-secondary education courses.
Through other educational and vocational offerings, 15 students earned manufacturing certificates, six earned welding certificates and two students received their Associate’s Degree from Barton Community College.
Substance abuse treatment incorporates individualized treatment and group treatment services provided by licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors. The Matrix Model for teens and young adults is utilized.
The Sexually Abusive Juveniles treatment program focuses on juvenile offenders accountability for their sexual crimes, defense mechanisms, and ownership of previous deviant behavior. it also assists youth in identifying and recognizing future danger signals and high-risk situations for re-offending. Both group and individual treatment is provided.
Corrections Counselors provide evidence-based programming such as Thinking for a Change and Aggression Replacement Training (ART).
Two certified Offender Workforce Development Specialists assist youth in preparing juveniles for re-entry into the community.
Other programs offered include Independent Living Skills, Parenting classes and vocational industries. A work program is also offered for offenders, areas of work include the cafeteria, environmental services, yard maintenance and woodshop.
A full-time chaplain is the liaison for religious services and volunteers.
As with other facilities under the management of the Secretary of Corrections, education, health services, mental health services, sex offender and substance abuse treatment are provided through contract services. A secure environment is provided for juvenile offenders receiving treatment and rehabilitation services, which will enable them to become productive citizens upon return to their communities.
The Larned Youth Rehabilitation Center was established at Larned State Hospital in 1972. In 1982, the Kansas Legislature established a youth services division in the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS), and the Larned Youth Rehabilitation Center was renamed the Youth Center at Larned. At the same time, the bed capacity was doubled. The Center was expanded again in 1994 to 116 beds.
The facility was renamed the Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility in 1997. On July 1, 1997, responsibility for the juvenile correctional facilities was transferred from SRS to the newly created Juvenile Justice Authority. In 2000, the Kansas Legislature approved construction of the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex in Topeka to replace existing beds.