Missouri Department of Corrections

06/11/2026

Big thanks to the Boonville Correctional Center staff who made last weekend's family restoration visit a success! These special visits for qualifying residents and their families help get incarcerated Missourians and their loved ones out of the visiting room and onto the yard, the basketball court and the picnic pavilion. Missouri families spend time playing sports and games, doing arts and crafts, and even dining from a food truck. Most important: They build stronger bonds, helping to ensure a better transition after release.

06/09/2026

Congratulations to Division of Adult Institutions Deputy Director Ryan Crews, who today was presented with a director's coin in recognition of his exceptional work. Recently, Jackson County opened a new detention center in Kansas City and needed help relocating approximately 1,100 detainees. Crews assembled three Corrections Emergency Response Teams (CERT) from state prisons in the region and oversaw the operation on a state holiday. When he realized the relocation was falling behind schedule, he rolled up his sleeves and worked alongside the officers, removing restraints, sorting residents by wing and conducting escorts. His dedication and exemplary work ethic not only helped support a local law enforcement partner but also served as a model for our staff.

06/05/2026

It's State Team Member Appreciation Month, and we want to congratulate corrections professionals recently honored for exceptional service to our team, the state and the people of Missouri. These public servants have earned departmental honors including the Lifesaver Award, the Zone Excellence Award and the Distinguished Service Award.

06/03/2026

As longtime supporters of Special Olympics Missouri, members of the Missouri Department of Corrections team stepped up (and out, and across the state) for the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run. Now in its 40th year, the 11-day relay covers more than 950 miles and includes more than 1,000 runners representing 140 organizations. Runners started from three dozen locations and culminated at the site of the State Summer Games, Truman State University in Kirksville. With donations collected from from sponsors, participants raise both awareness of and funding for Special Olympics Missouri, a nonprofit providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for kids and adults with intellectual disabilities.

06/02/2026

Employee of the Month Kenda Sewell, the institutional reentry coordinator for Chillicothe Correctional Center, is committed to preparing Missouri women for post-incarceration success. Recently CCC took on the task of creating a Reentry Transitional Housing Unit program, with the goal of providing more personal assistance to CCC residents with upcoming release dates. Sewell was ready to jump in. She helped acquire resources, materials and assistance to support the core needs of the residents. She worked closely with department reentry leaders to supply items needed in the reentry computer lab. She even went above and beyond to organize scheduling, resources and opportunities in a way that ensures every reentry housing unit resident has access to what she needs. Teammates report seeing residents find hope, pride, a sense of accomplishment and, ultimately, an individual plan — with employment — under Sewell’s guidance. Residents leave the unit prepared, motivated and set up for success.

05/29/2026

We're so proud of and grateful for our partnership with the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (DHEWD) and our collaborative work in achieving better outcomes for Missourians being released from incarceration. Hear from our own Jennifer Liebi and DHEWD's Chad Luetjen about what state government is doing to boost reentry success.

05/28/2026

Meet the impeccably mannered dogs in adoption-preparation training at South Central Correctional Center and the incarcerated handlers whose lives they're changing. 🐶💙

The South Central Correction Center has trained more than 400 dogs from Springfield's Rescue One to prepare them for adoption.

05/26/2026

Big thanks to the staff at Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center who facilitated Community Day earlier this month. Participants competed in basketball, pickleball, table tennis, handball and more, with awards recognizing not only tournament wins but also spirit and sportsmanship.

05/22/2026

Thanks to the Eastern Reception Diagnostic & Correctional Center administration for giving this hard-working team some much-needed recreation time!

05/21/2026

Take a peek inside the Algoa Correctional Center studio where incarcerated students are becoming licensed tattoo artists.

Missouri's prison tattoo apprenticeship program allows for inmates to gain skill and perfect their craft under the guidance of Chavez Aldridge. This apprenticeship gives those attending the freedom to create without the risk that comes with contraband tattoos such as hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS.