Schnurr to leave Ellsworth for Hutchinson

Longtime Corrections employee Rex Pryor is retiring from his position as warden at the Lansing Correctional Facility, effective June 186. Replacing Pryor at LCF is Sam Cline, current warden at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility while Dan Schnurr, warden at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility moves to Hutchinson. Cline also served as warden at Ellsworth.

Pryor is 36-year veteran of the Kansas Department of Corrections starting as a corrections officer in 1980. Pryor served in various positions within the facility before promoting to deputy warden of operations in 1999 and then to warden in January, 2013.  Pryor states that “whether it’s a new program, or making decisions with offenders, there was always something going on, keeping the job exciting.  I have enjoyed my career at LCF”.

Cline was named warden at Hutchinson Correctional Facility in July 2007 after a four-stint as Warden at Ellsworth Correctional Facility. Cline is a 1973 graduate of Lyons High School, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Conception Seminary College with an additional two years of graduate studies at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Schnurr was promoted to deputy warden at Ellsworth Correctional Facility in October 2010 and later to warden in June 2011 after serving the previous 25 years at Hutchinson Correctional Facility, holding a variety of positions during his tenure.  Schnurr, who currently resides in Sterling, is a 1981 graduate of Nickerson High School with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Sterling College.

“We are grateful for Rex’s many years of service and wish him the best in his retirement,” said Interim Secretary of Corrections Johnnie Goddard. “Sam and Dan are both seasoned corrections professionals who will bring a wealth of experience to their new positions.

The Ellsworth Correctional Facility Warden will be named at a later date.