Criminal Justice Schools in Kansas | KS
Within eight miles of one another there are four prisons in the Fort Leavenworth, Kansas area. The United States Federal Penitentiary in the city of Leavenworth was the largest maximum federal security prison in the United States up until 2005. Over 100 years old, the federal penitentiary is now classified as medium security. The other prisons include the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, the Lansing Correctional Facility and the Leavenworth Detention Center. All together the four penal centers house more than 5,000 inmates, according to the Leavenworth Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Sponsored School(s)
Criminal justice schools in Kansas offer corrections and other related degrees to adequately prepare professionals to work in state, federal and private prisons. According to Projections Central, approximately 140 new jobs for correctional officers and jailers will open up each year. If this line of work interests you, consult the list of colleges and universities to complete a criminal justice degree in Kansas with a specialization in corrections. Several schools offer you the choice between an online or on campus program.
Other criminal justice careers also show positive growth potential in Kansas including the outlook for paralegals, police officers and probation officers
Kansas Criminal Justice Career Outlook
The following are just some of the criminal justice careers in Kansas that show a positive employment outlook along with the average number of job openings for each per year provided by Projections Central:
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers – 210 openings/year
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives – 70 openings/year
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants – 60 openings/year
- Security Guards – 220 openings/year
- Lawyers – 170 openings/year
- Correctional Officers and Jailers -140 openings/year
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists – 40 openings/year
Criminal justice schools in Kansas offer degrees and courses for you to complete if you wish to enter any of the above fields. For example, most police and sheriff’s departments require a minimum of an Associate’s (2-year) degree in law enforcement, criminal justice or another related field. To become a probation officer, it is advisable to complete a criminal justice degree with a specialization in human services, psychology or youth/adult probation. Check out the list of schools to find out about applicable online and campus programs.
Top Criminal Justice Employers & Agencies
One of the largest employers in Kansas is the Johnson County Courthouse (District Court), according to Career One Stop. It has a base of at least 2,000 employees from bailiffs and law clerks to court reporters and judges. In fact, Kansas is one of the top five states with the highest concentration of judges and magistrates in comparison to the rest of the country, states the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Completing a criminal justice degree in Kansas in legal studies, paralegal or law enforcement, for example, can provide you with required qualifications to work at the Johnson County Courthouse or other similar locations. Who knows? With continuous education and experience, you too may be sitting on the bench, garbing a black robe with gavel in hand.
Military bases Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, with thousands of personnel, are also some of Kansas’ top employers. Check out the criminal justice schools in Kansas for those that offer military degrees and military-friendly programs. Some institutions cater to the busy lifestyle of those enlisted and offer online courses and even sometimes classes at the military bases themselves.
Kansas Criminal Justice & Legal Job Outlook & Kansas Criminal Justice Salary
| Career | Employment Growth through 2018 | Current Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 8% | $39,000 – 45,000 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 6% | $31,000 – 34,000 |
| Court Reporters | 21% | $49,000 – 53,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 8% | $55,000 – 60,000 |
| First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 7% | $60,000 – 65,000+ |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 25% | $42,000 – 46,000 |
| Security Guards | 15% | $24,000 – 26,000 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | 15% | $36,000 – 42,000 |
| Lawyers | 14% | $95,000 – 105,000 |
| Emergency Management Specialists | 19% | $35,000 – 42,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
Kansas Crime Rate
Kansas’ overall crime rate is approximately 8% higher than the national average, according to the National Institute of Corrections. Its property crime rate (burglary, motor vehicle theft and larceny) is approximately 9% higher than the rest of the country, whereas its violent crime rate (murder, rape, assault and robbery) is almost on par with the national average.
For 2010, the FBI reported approximately 89,000 cases of property crime (3,119/100,000 people) and 10,500 cases of violent crime (369/100,000 people).
Kansas’s Correctional System Stats
| Facility | Number of Facilities & Offices | Number of Inmates |
|---|---|---|
| Jails | 98 | 7,032 |
| Prisons | 9 | 9,353 |
| Probation & Parole | 31 judicial districts | 22,246 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
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