Inmate dies at El Dorado Correctional Facility

An El Dorado Correctional Facility inmate, Ryan Mitchell, died Thursday Mar. 11. The cause of death is pending an autopsy.

Preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.

Per protocol, when an inmate dies in the custody of KDOC, the death is under investigation by KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

Mitchell was serving a 176-month sentence for intent to distribute and a weapons charge. He had been imprisoned with KDOC since Oct. 2018.

The 1,955 bed El Dorado Correctional Facility opened in 1991 and was expanded in 1995 and 2001. The facility is designed for maximum- and medium-custody inmates and serves as the Reception and Diagnostic Unit (RDU) for all adult males sentenced to KDOC.

In RDU, inmates receive orientation and are assigned to a custody classification, appropriate programs and a permanent housing assignment.