A severe funding imbalance and staff turnover are forcing the Central Kansas Community Corrections agency to realign its duties, possibly reducing offender accountability, according to its director. The under-resourced agency, tasked with supervising a high-risk felony caseload across a five-county area, is struggling to provide the hands-on, Evidence Based case management oversight required to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

Brooke Haulmark, director of Central Kansas Community Corrections (CKCC) for the 20th Judicial District, said that the agency has been dramatically underfunded for over a decade. Her agency supervises an average of 237 felons every month, giving it the eighth-highest caseload in the state. Yet, it ranks 28th lowest in funding out of the state’s 31 judicial districts.

“If we have the eighth highest caseload in the state ... and are funded 28th lowest, something’s wrong,” Haulmark said. “Being inadequately funded doesn’t allow us to have the staff we need to make permanent change through efficient case management.”

Burden of disparity 

Size – The geographic size of the 20th Judicial District adds to the logistical challenges of supervision. Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell, and Stafford counties combine for approximately 4,105 square miles; the 6th largest territory out of the 31 judicial districts. This results in Intensive Supervision Officers traveling six to fourteen hours per month. 

Caseload – CKCC’s four current Intensive Supervision Officers (ISOs) – a number slated to temporarily drop over the winter following one employee’s scheduled leave – carry caseloads ranging from 60 to 90 individuals per month for each ISO. 

Turnover – The workload has fueled a 126% staff turnover rate among ISOs since 2024, a number Haulmark attributes, in part, to burnout. 

Supervision Allowances – “We are unable to conduct all duties, such as monthly home visits on convicted sex offenders and weekly UA’s, and must see many clients virtually as the caseload sizes do not allow us to see them in person several times a month,” Haulmark said in an October 31, 2025, written testimony before the House Select Committee on Government Oversight. Today she adds that officers average only about 15 minutes of face-to-face time with each client, severely limiting the agency’s ability to conduct effective case management. 

Increased risk from prison departures

The district’s caseload risk profile is increasing due to the high number of individuals diverting from incarceration. Since July 1, CKCC has seen an increase in presumptive prison cases. This means new felony offenders were granted a judicial departure to community supervision instead of prison time. 

While this saves taxpayers money – community supervision costs approximately $9.78 per day compared to over $101.00 per day for prison – it places a heavy burden on the understaffed local agency.  

“There’s a balance to helping people. We can do our part, but our clients must want to do the work themselves,” Haulmark said, stressing the agency’s commitment to holding non-compliant offenders accountable by asking for revocation.

The fight for funding equity

The current funding system, governed by a state grant under the 1978 Kansas Community Corrections Act, has long been criticized by under-funded agencies as inequitable.

In an effort to fix the issue, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) and the Community Corrections Association recently developed a new funding formula designed to be more transparent and equitable by considering factors such as caseload, travel costs, and turnover rates. However, this proposal was quickly derailed.

“[Agencies] who receive substantial funding don’t want the formula to change” Haulmark said, referring to districts slated to receive less money under the now-cancelled update. Sedgwick County, the one-county 18th Judicial District, testified before the House Select Committee on Government Oversight committee on November 3, 2025, asking that the current formula stand.  If there’s no change in the funding formula, Sedgwick – one of the highest funded Counties in Kansas – may receive $5.4 million so that their ISO’s can supervise an average caseload of 950 clients.   

In comparison, CKCC will receive a fraction of that at $807,892.86 while supervising an average of 237 clients.

Sedgwick County has an average client support funding level of $5,684.21. CKCC has an average of $3,408.83. “Why? We are mandated to offer the same programming”, said Haulmark.  

“Why?” is the reason Haulmark urges citizens to contact their state representatives to address the disparity that has plagued the 20th Judicial District for over a decade.

“If taxpayers would reach out to their local legislators ... perhaps they would pay attention to what is not a new issue here by any means,” Haulmark stated. “The difference may be that now we have substantial numbers to prove it.”

“Tell your legislator”

Haulmark summarized the problem saying – tell your legislator this – “Central Kansas Community Corrections, covering the 6th largest  judicial district territory in Kansas – approximately 4,105 square miles in Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell and Stafford Counties – receives the 28th lowest point of fiscal support, while having the 8th highest caseload. That work is done with one director, four ISOs and two support staff. CKCC receives a little over $3,400 on average per client while Sedgwick County receives almost $5,700. Imagine what CKCC could do with like funding and additional personnel.” 

Contacting your legislators

Effective ways to communicate with your state lawmakers regarding specific funding issues, like the one facing Central Kansas Community Corrections, include emails and calling their Capitol office.

Kansas State Representatives

• Rep. Sherri Brantley (District 112): Covers Barton, part of Rice, and part of Ellsworth counties.

- Capitol Phone: 785-296-7363

- Email: Sherri.Brantley@house.ks.gov

• Rep. Brett Fairchild (District 113): Covers parts of Rice, Stafford, Ellsworth, and Russell counties.

- Capitol Phone: 785-296-7667

- Email: Brett.Fairchild@house.ks.gov

• Rep. Jim Minnix (District 118): Covers parts of Russell and Barton counties.

- Capitol Phone: 785-296-7384

- Email: Jim.Minnix@house.ks.gov

• Rep. Troy Waymaster (District 109): Covers portions of the 20th Judicial District. Sits on the Kansas House Select Committee of Government Oversight, reviewing funding for CKCC and Community Corrections statewide.

- Capitol Phone: 785-296-7672

- Email:  Troy.Waymaster@house.ks.gov

Kansas State Senators

• Sen. Tory Marie Blew (District 33): Covers Ellsworth, Rice, Stafford, and part of Russell counties.

- Capitol Phone: 785-296-7682

- Email: ToryMarie.Blew@senate.ks.gov

• Sen. Rick Billinger (District 40): Covers Barton and part of Russell counties.

- Capitol Phone: 785-296-7399

- Email: Rick.Billinger@senate.ks.gov

House Select Committee on Government Oversight

The Kansas House Select Committee on Government Oversight reviews and studies the efficiency and economy of government operations and ensure state agencies and programs operate effectively and in compliance with legislative intent. The Oversight Committee is responsible for identifying equitable formula changes for corrections funding. Contacting this Committee would be a valuable means of support for CKCC.  

This Committee met on Nov. 3 and halted the Fiscal Year 2027 increase in funding slated for Central Kansas Community Corrections and several agencies throughout the state. The increase would have allowed CKCC to hire an additional Intensive Supervision Officer. Of the 31 judicial districts in Kansas, Director Haulmark was one of only nine directors who submitted testimony. Her written testimony can be read on the Kansas Legislative website at Kansas Legislature.Gov.

House Select Committee on Government Oversight Members

Rep. Kristey Williams, Chair, Kristey.Williams@house.ks.gov

Rep. Bob Lewis, Vice Chair, Bob.Lewis@house.ks.gov

Rep. Barbara Ballard, Ranking Minority Member, Barbara.Ballard@house.ks.gov

This piece was written by Barton County Media. Contract Central Kansas Community Corrections director Brooke Haulmark at 620-793-1930 or email brooke.haulmark@bartoncounty.org.