The Reformatory in Hutchinson, KS has a rich history dating back to the mid-1880s when it was established as the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory (KSIR). Modeled after the first reformatory in Elmira, New York, KSIR aimed to reform first-time male offenders through vocational training and academic education. Over the years, the reformatory system introduced innovative concepts such as indeterminate sentences and provided opportunities for inmates to learn valuable skills like stonecutting.
Throughout its history, the Reformatory faced challenges and underwent various developments. It initially struggled with delays and funding shortages, but eventually completed two cellhouses and an administration building. Notably, the reformatory briefly housed both male and female inmates before the law was changed in 1900. The facility also experienced its first successful escape in 1903 when an inmate disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Today, the Reformatory continues to play a vital role in the criminal justice system, providing rehabilitation and education to offenders in the Hutchinson area.
Generated from the website