In 1976, Governor Bennett convened an emergency meeting to address the recent increase in number of escapes within the Kansas Department of Corrections. The Warden of the Hutchinson Correctional Facility, Gary Rayl, suggested the implementation of a K-9 program to deter escapes.

A committee was formed to research K-9 programs in Arkansas and Texas. In 1976, the first bloodhounds arrived at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility to be used for both man-trailing and cadaver work. In 1978, a K-9 program was established at the Lansing Correctional Facility based on the Hutchinson Correctional Facility K-9 program. Since 1978, there have been five (5) different trainers in charge of the LCF K-9 Unit.

From 1978 to 1994 the main focus of the LCF K-9 program was preventing escapes, apprehending escapees and assisting outside agencies through the use of bloodhounds for man-trailing and cadaver purposes. Drug dogs were experimented with and used but were never a priority.

Due to the increased awareness of narcotics trafficking and narcotics related problems within the facility, the focus of the LCF K-9 program was changed in 1994 to preventing/decreasing the flow of narcotics into the facility.

Working in conjunction with the Hutchinson K-9 program, the Lansing Correctional Facility K-9 program acquired Belgian Malinois' and a German Shepard for narcotic work. Due to the changing priorities the cadaver program was ceased. The Lansing Correctional Facility currently has 1 full-time handler/trainer and 2 part-time handlers/trainers who work with narcotic detection K-9s.