KDOC/KCDC unveils children-centered visit rooms
Ellsworth, KAN. – The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), in partnership with the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center (KCDC), unveiled its newly designed Visitation Area Saturday at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility.
The visitation area is more child-centered than previous areas, with interactive tools and learning activities that focus on the emotional and developmental needs of children.
This is the first visitation area in Kansas designed to promote a more humane and family-friendly approach to foster bonding time. This new approach has been in practice for several years at the Topeka Correctional Facility where qualified residents can earn offsite visits with their children and in some cases, grandchildren, as part of the Play Free program hosted by KCDC in Topeka. KCDC has also facilitated similar visits utilizing its mobile unit at male facilities throughout the state.
“I am pleased to support this partnership between the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and the Kansas Department of Corrections, which takes a compassionate approach to the visitation experience,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By focusing on the welfare of both parents and children, we can improve outcomes and support positive family relationships throughout the incarceration period.”
By transforming visiting rooms into child-centered spaces, KDOC is taking a bold step toward prioritizing the mental health and wellbeing of children affected by parental incarceration.
“Keeping children connected to their parents in a meaningful way can help break the cycle of criminality and promote the success of the incarcerated parent upon their return to society,” said Kansas Secretary of Corrections, Jeff Zmuda. “We appreciate our partnership with the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and believe that these new visitation areas will help build stronger relationships between children and their parents, who are in our custody.”
Key elements of the visitation area include interactive play areas with educational toys, a STEM-focused wind tunnel, a custom train table for imaginative play, an art and games station stocked with creative materials, a cozy reading nook, a giant light peg wall for illuminated designs, and a puppet theater for storytelling and dramatic play.
Research consistently shows that contact visits, where parents and children can interact physically and emotionally in a safe, nurturing space, promote significant benefits to a child’s emotional wellbeing and resilience.
According to the National Institute of Justice, maintaining parent-child connections during incarceration can reduce trauma, strengthen family bonds, and improve outcomes for children. Studies have shown that positive family engagement decreases the likelihood of intergenerational incarceration, promotes better academic performance, and supports emotional stability for children.
“This initiative is about creating spaces where children can connect with their parents in ways that feel natural, joyful, and meaningful,” said Dené Mosier, President and CEO of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. “By prioritizing children’s needs, we’re transforming the visiting experience to foster stronger family bonds and give hope to families impacted by incarceration.”
A similar visitation area was also unveiled at the El Dorado Correctional Facility, while a third visitation area will also open at Lansing Correctional Facility later in the spring.