Larned inmate serving time for murder dies after being found unresponsive in cell

WICHITA Kan. (KWCH) An inmate serving time for murder at the Larned State Correctional Facility has died after being found unresponsive in his cell Saturday night.

The Kansas Department of Corrections says staff members began life-saving measures on 45-year-old Jason W. Cott after he was found unresponsive. Cott was taken to the hospital where he later died.

The cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy.

Cott was serving two life sentences without the possibility of parole for two convictions of first degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas.

Inmate at Hutchinson Correctional Facility dies on Thursday

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - An inmate at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility died on Thursday, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

KDOC staff discovered Tony Payne, 34, unresponsive in his cell on Thursday evening. They immediately initiated life-saving measures, and he was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Payne was serving a 46-month, or just under four-year, sentence at the Hutchinson prison for violating the Kansas Offender Registration Act. This Act requires individuals to register with the police, allowing information to be shared with the public to help protect families and communities.

A separate entity will conduct an autopsy on Payne to determine the cause of his death.

Tasha Layton at Topeka Correctional Facility

(KDOC) Singer Tasha Layton, a rising star in Christian music, brought a message of hope and strength to the residents of Topeka Correctional Facility. This midday concert was sponsored by radio station Life 88.5 in Kansas City, and hosted by LEAD, or Ladies Empowered and Driven, the female arm of Brothers In Blue Reentry program.

In a place often associated with despair, isolation, and hopelessness, singer Tasha Layton, a rising star in Christian music, brought a message of hope and strength to the residents of Topeka Correctional Facility. This midday concert was sponsored by radio station Life 88.5 in Kansas City, and hosted by LEAD, or Ladies Empowered and Driven, the female arm of Brothers In Blue Reentry program. For many who were not familiar with Tasha Layton before her concert, they quickly became fans of her music and the woman she is.

LCF Donnelly Graduation

(KDOC) Four residents at Lansing Correctional Facility received diplomas as they earned Associate of Applied Science in Business degrees from Donnelly College. Our congratulations to Nicholas Martin, Crosson Saisi, Raeshad Scott-Lindsey, and David Young. Martin and Young earned Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society awards while Scott-Lindsey is a first generation college student. KDOC also thanks the teachers, administrators, and staff at LCF for helping to ensuring that classes take place.