Office of the Governor

TOPEKA– Governor Sam Brownback announced Friday that Secretary of Corrections Ray Roberts will step down at the end of the year. Roberts has served as Corrections Secretary since 2011.

“I am grateful for the wealth of leadership and experience Ray has provided to the state,” Governor Brownback said. “In a corrections career spanning more than 40 years, he has worked with the utmost integrity, serving Kansans through his dedication to public safety, and by actively encouraging and assisting offenders through mentorship programs to become law-abiding citizens.”

Roberts was formerly the warden of El Dorado Correctional Facility. He has also served as a correctional counselor, director of faith-based ministry, warden of five correctional facilities, and deputy secretary of facility management. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi, and his masters of education in Counseling and Guidance from Delta State University.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve Governor Brownback and the people of the Great State of Kansas,” Roberts said. “Governor Brownback has supported me through good and difficult times and taught me about leadership and humility. Serving as secretary has been the highlight of my career for which I am forever grateful. I have been honored to work alongside incredible staff that has devoted their time and talents to making Kansas a safer place and I know that the agency and its mission are in good hands.”

The mission of the Kansas Department of Corrections is to make a safer Kansas through effective correctional services.