Have you recently had a loved one become incarcerated and unsure of the basic intake procedures? Let us help.

All inmates being processed into the KDOC are initially taken to El Dorado Correctional Facility where they undergo a process referred to as RDU (Reception and Diagnostic Unit). This is located in the central unit in EDCF (This is different for female inmates, their RDU takes place at Topeka Correctional Facility).

During RDU, inmates go through health evaluations, tests, interviews, and their case is evaluated, in order to determine the inmate’s custody classification and facility placement. They also go through orientation to KDOC’s policies.

RDU can take anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks, although 4 weeks is about the average. During this time inmates are not allowed visits, but they are able to communicate via e-messaging through a tablet they will be assigned, and through phone calls. Your loved one will have to submit your name to be put on their call list in order to call you. They are also able to send and receive mail through the postal service.

In order to add funds to your loved one’s account for them to send messages, you will need to create an account with gettingout.com. Here you can add money for them to send messages, play games, and send e-cards. In order to reply to messages from your loved one, you will also need to add money to your own account. Messages cost 25 cents each.

To add money to your loved one’s phone account in order for him to make calls, you need to create an account on IC Solutions (https://www.icsolutions.com/). You can either add money for your loved one where calls to only you are prepaid, or you can add funds to his account where he can call anyone he is approved to call.

To send mail to your loved one, make sure you include your full name in the return address, or the mailroom will confiscate it and not deliver it. Also be sure to include your loved one’s full KDOC #. The mailrooms are very picky and the slightest mistake will cause them to confiscate your mail. Address your mail as follows:

Full name and address in the return address section. In the address section, Write out your loved one’s full name, followed by their KDOC number. Then the mailing address is: El Dorado Correctional Facility-RDU, PO Box 311, El Dorado, KS 67042-0311.

Canteen List: Male inmates:

Canteen List: Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility and Topeka Correctional Facility have separate canteen lists, see below"

One important resource is the KASPER site. You can look up your loved one on this site and get pertinent info such as their DOC #, custody level, and location. The KDOC updated their system in September of 2025, so all inmates have new KDOC numbers, it is important to have their updated number.