KY DOC – Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP)

KY DOC – Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 270-388-2211

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at KY State Penitentiary located at 266 Water St in Eddyville, KY are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

Kentucky State Penitentiary is the only maximum-security prison in the state and can house 856 adult male inmates. This facility is also responsible for housing all (male) death row inmates in the state. Inmates here can participate in many programs that treat underlying conditions of the inmate's incarceration. These programs include sex offender treatment, substance abuse treatment, moral recognition therapy, and individual counseling. KSP also offers work programs that give the inmate employment in several correctional industries including a garment factory, a bag plant, landscaping, janitorial/maintenance, and food preparation services. Inmates can also take academic courses to earn an adult basic education and GED as well as learn to read.

Inmate Programs

Academic School – The school is an adult basic education program designed for the inmate student encompassing literacy through a general equivalency diploma. It is offered to General Population and Protective Custody Inmates, with an average total enrollment of 60 inmates.

Night School – An after-hours education program designed to allow inmates with daytime work assignments the opportunity to attend school and work toward a general equivalency diploma. Approximately 15 General Population Inmates attend this class.

Adult Technical Education – Post-secondary vocational education is available in three areas: Carpentry, Auto Body, and Electrical Technology. Theses programs are available to General Population inmates.

Pre-Release Program – This 16-hour program is offered to inmates who are nearing expiration of their sentence or parole eligibility date. It includes components regarding parole issues, public assistance, parenting, employment, and self-development. It is designed to provide skills to successfully reintegrate inmates into society and help them seek employment and assistance.

Sex Offender Treatment Program – A Kentucky Department of Corrections Program presented by the Division of Mental Health. The program is designed to provide mandated treatment to eligible sex offenders through a series courses which focus on inmates taking and maintaining personal responsibility through obtaining a thorough understanding of past sexually abusive behavior and development of a prevention plan to avoid relapses.

Drug and Alcohol Education Program – This program is presented by the trained mental health staff and provides a pre-treatment orientation to recovery from the dependency of all types. The training program presented is titled “Life Without a Crutch”.

Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) – MRT is a cognitive-behavioral, group-centered program. It involves the development and maturation of the moral decision-making process. The program is designed to raise the level of the participant’s moral choices to an appropriate age level for a normal adult. The program is open-ended (progresses at his own pace) usually taking four (4) to six (6) months to complete. The program is available to General Population inmates and inmates assigned to the outside detail. Inmates participate on a voluntary basis.

Individual Counseling – Available through the Division of Mental Health Psychologist assigned to the Kentucky State Penitentiary.

Inmate Self-Help Organizations – AA/NA, NAACP, and Protective Custody Substance Abuse Club.

Inmate Work Programs – KSP offers ample opportunity for inmates to obtain employment in a wide variety of areas. Kentucky Correctional Industries operates a Garment Plant and a Bag Plant operation. Foodservice, landscaping, legal aide, janitorial and numerous other areas offer employment opportunities.

visitation Info

KY DOC – Kentucky State Penitentiary – Visitation

VISITATION SCHEDULE 
Days and Hours of Visitation

UNIT / DAYS / HOURS

• General Population and Outside Detail – Saturday and Sunday 7:30 am to 1:45 pm (except 1st and 3rd Saturdays)
• Protective Custody – Friday and 1st Saturday of each month 7:30 am to 1:45 pm
• Special Security Unit (Death Row) – Thursdays and 3rd Saturday of each month 7:30 am to 1:45 pm

Registration time for above-listed units:  7:15 am to 10:00 am

If visitors for the above-listed units need to leave early, they must do so by 12:45 pm or stay until visitation is over (1:45 p.m.)

Segregation – Thursday ONLY 2 hours as scheduled 
NOTE:  Segregation visits are non-contact by appointment.  Written approval shall be obtained seven (7) days in advance of the visit from the Deputy Warden of Security. 
Registration time for Segregation:   30 minutes prior to the visit.

VISITATION IS CLOSED ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY
Visitor's Dress Code 

1. A visitor shall comply with the dress code for visiting.  The officer in charge may deny a visit if the visitor is not properly attired in accordance with the code.
2. Footwear shall be worn.
3. For a female visitor: 
     a. A dress, skirt, blue jeans, pantsuit, blouse, and shirt shall be considered appropriate.  Shorts that extend to at least mid-thigh shall be allowed; 
     b. Undergarments, including bra and underwear, shall be worn at all times; 
     c. Underwear shall be worn if a visitor wears pantyhose; 
     d. A slip shall be worn if a visitor wears a dress or skirt; 
     e. Clothing that does not completely cover the midriff, cleavage, or breasts shall not be acceptable; 
     f. Halter-tops, hot pants, short-shorts, mini skirts, leggings, spandex pants, see-through clothing, muscle shirts, and sleeveless dresses or blouses shall not be allowed; and 
   A dress or skirt may have a two (2) inch split in the back only; and the skirt or dress shall not be shorter than two (2) inches above the knee.
4. For a male visitor: 
     a. Underwear shall be worn; 
     b. Long pants, mid-thigh length, or Bermuda shorts and a long or short   sleeve shirt shall be considered appropriate; and 
     c. A tank top, cutoffs, muscle shirt or see through clothing shall be prohibited.
5. Clothing, hats, insignia, or emblems considered inflammatory or obscene shall be prohibited.
6. A visitor shall not wear jewelry except a wedding band.  A visitor shall return any other jewelry to his vehicle.