An inmate at the Wichita Work Release Facility dies in custody.

 

 WWRF resident 44-year-old Joshua Degroot was found unresponsive at his workplace in the Wichita community yesterday. Coworkers discovered Degroot and began life-saving measures. EMS was called to the scene and continued to administer emergency aid but were unsuccessful. Degroot was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

His death is being investigated by the Wichita Police Department with assistance from the Kansas Department of Corrections. An autopsy is pending. Degroot was serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for two convictions of aggravated battery in Leavenworth County.

 

The WWRF is a minimum-custody work release facility with a capacity of 250 male residents.  The purpose of the work release program is to prepare selected residents for release and to assist them in making a successful transition from the institutional environment back into society.