The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW) is a state-run prison facility located in Shelby County, Kentucky. Established in 1938, KCIW is the only women’s prison in the state of Kentucky. The facility is designed to house adult female felons from all 120 counties in the state, and it has been accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) since 1982.
KCIW is situated on a sprawling 270-acre campus in the town of Pewee Valley. The facility is a campus-style setting with multiple buildings, including housing units, administrative offices, and support facilities. KCIW is staffed by a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to providing a safe, secure, and healthy environment for the inmates under their care.
The facility offers a wide range of programs and services designed to help inmates prepare for successful reentry into society. These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
Despite the efforts of the staff at KCIW, the facility has faced criticism in recent years for issues such as overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate medical care. However, the state of Kentucky has taken steps to address these issues, including investing in new facilities and programs to improve the conditions at KCIW and other correctional facilities throughout the state.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 683 |
| Physical Address | 3000 Ash Ave. Pewee Valley, Kentucky 40056 |
| Mailing Address | 3000 Ash Ave. Pewee Valley, Kentucky 40056 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (502) 241-8454 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women is a multi-custody facility located in Pewee Valley, Kentucky, which is about 20 miles northeast of Louisville. The institution was established in 1938 as the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women and was the first women’s prison in the state. It was later renamed the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in 1989.
The KCIW is located in Shelby County and covers an area of approximately 170 acres. The institution has multiple housing units, including double and single-bunked units. It is considered a multi-custody facility, as differential housing and programming must meet the needs of female offenders serving one year to life, death row, maximum, medium, minimum, and community custody.
The KCIW has undergone many changes over the years. In 1969, the Kentucky Department of Corrections was established, and the KCIW became a part of it. In 1976, the Kentucky State Penitentiary became the maximum-security facility for women, and KCIW became a medium-security facility. In 1989, KCIW was converted into a medium-security facility with a minimum-security unit remaining.
The KCIW has a long history of providing various educational, vocational, and rehabilitation programs to its inmates. It has a dog program that allows inmates to train dogs, which are then adopted by families. The institution also provides substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and parenting classes to its inmates.
Mission and Authority
The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women is a multi-custody facility that is responsible for the safe and secure housing of female offenders serving one year to life, death row, maximum, medium, minimum, and community custody. The mission of KCIW is to provide a safe, secure, and humane environment for staff and offenders in carrying out the mandates of the legislative and judicial processes. The facility provides opportunities for offenders to acquire skills that facilitate non-criminal behavior, which helps them to reintegrate into society.
The institution is under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Department of Corrections, which is responsible for the supervision of all adult offenders committed to the state’s correctional institutions. The Department of Corrections is a cabinet-level agency that is responsible for the administration of the state’s correctional system. The agency is responsible for the operation of all state prisons, parole, probation, and community supervision programs.
The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women is governed by the Kentucky Department of Corrections and is subject to the regulations and policies of the agency. The institution is also subject to the laws and regulations of the state of Kentucky, including the Kentucky Revised Statutes and the Administrative Regulations. The Department of Corrections has the authority to establish policies, procedures, and regulations governing the operation of the institution.
The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for staff and offenders. The institution has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of violence, abuse, or harassment. The staff is trained to provide a safe and secure environment for the offenders while also providing them with the necessary resources to help them reintegrate into society.
The institution provides a range of programs and services that are designed to meet the unique needs of the female offender population, including educational programs, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
Facility Information
Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women is a multi-custody facility located in Pewee Valley, Kentucky. The facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association and provides a campus-style setting with multiple housing units, both double and single-bunked, to meet the needs of female offenders serving one year to life, death row, maximum, medium, minimum, and community custody.
Location and Housing Units
KCIW is located in Pewee Valley, Kentucky, and covers an area of approximately 170 acres. The facility houses a total of 683 female inmates in 14 housing units. These units are divided into two categories: differential housing and general population. Differential housing units are designed to meet the specific needs of inmates who require specialized programming or services, such as those with mental health or medical needs.
Programming and Education
KCIW offers a variety of programming and education opportunities for its inmates. These programs are designed to help inmates develop the skills they need to successfully reintegrate into society upon release. Some of the programs offered at KCIW include:
- Educational programs (GED, vocational training, college courses)
- Substance abuse treatment
- Mental health services
- Parenting classes
- Service opportunities
Health Services
KCIW provides a comprehensive range of health services to its inmates. These services are designed to address the physical and mental health needs of inmates and include:
- Medical and dental care
- Mental health services
- Substance abuse treatment
- Health education
Communication and Visitation
KCIW recognizes the importance of maintaining communication between inmates and their families and friends. The facility provides a variety of communication options, including mail, phone calls, and video visitation. In-person visitation is also available, subject to certain restrictions and guidelines.
In conclusion, Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women is an ACA-accredited multi-custody facility that provides a campus-style setting with multiple housing units to meet the needs of female offenders. The facility offers a variety of programming and education opportunities, health services, and communication options to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
Inmate Services
The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women provides a variety of inmate services to meet the diverse needs of its population. These services include rehabilitation and reentry services, special needs inmate care, and death row inmate services.
Rehabilitation and Reentry Services
KCIW offers a range of programs designed to help inmates prepare for their eventual release and reentry into society. These programs include substance abuse treatment, mental health services, Alcoholics Anonymous, sex offender treatment, and a humane program that teaches inmates how to care for animals. In addition, KCIW provides service opportunities to inmates, allowing them to give back to their community and develop valuable skills.
Special Needs Inmates
KCIW is committed to providing just and equitable treatment to all inmates, including those with special needs. The facility offers a range of services to support these inmates, including access to medical care, counseling, and other support services as needed. In addition, KCIW provides a safe and secure environment for these inmates, with measures in place to ensure their safety and well-being.
Death Row Inmates
KCIW also provides services to inmates on death row, including access to medical care, counseling, and other support services as needed. The facility also provides bonding visits for these inmates, allowing them to spend time with their loved ones before their execution. KCIW also provides care for the children of these inmates, including access to vending machines, disposable diapers, pacifiers, wipes, and blankets.
Overall, KCIW is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all inmates, while also offering a range of services to support their rehabilitation and reentry into society.
Release and Status
The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women provides several options for release and status for inmates. These options include parole, discharge, and community supervision. The decision to release an inmate is made by the Kentucky Parole Board.
Inmates who are eligible for parole may apply for release after serving a minimum percentage of their sentence. The parole board reviews the inmate’s case and makes a decision based on several factors, including the severity of the crime, the inmate’s behavior while in prison, and the inmate’s plans for re-entry into society.
Discharge from KCIW occurs when an inmate completes their sentence or is granted a pardon or commutation by the Governor. Inmates who are discharged are no longer under the supervision of the Department of Corrections.
Community supervision is a form of release that allows an inmate to serve the remainder of their sentence under the supervision of a probation officer. Inmates who are eligible for community supervision must meet certain criteria and are subject to strict conditions, such as regular check-ins with their probation officer and drug testing.
The status of an inmate can also be affected by their behavior while in prison. First-time offenders may be eligible for early release programs, such as shock probation or parole. Persistent offenders, on the other hand, may be subject to stricter conditions and longer sentences.
Inmates who are awaiting trial or sentencing may be eligible for bond, which allows them to be released from prison while their case is pending. The amount of bond is set by the court and is based on several factors, including the severity of the crime and the defendant’s criminal history.
Overall, KCIW provides several options for release and status for its inmates, depending on their individual circumstances and behavior while in prison.
Public Safety and Community Reintegration
The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women is committed to enhancing public safety by promoting offender reintegration into the community through proactive supervision and referral to community-based resources. The institution offers a range of programs and services that aim to help adult female felons successfully reintegrate into society, become productive members of the community, and reduce the likelihood of re-offending.
One of the key objectives of KCIW is to prepare offenders for re-entry into society by providing them with the necessary tools and skills to become law-abiding citizens. The institution offers various educational and vocational programs that help offenders develop skills that are essential for economic self-sufficiency. These programs include adult basic education, vocational training, and college courses. By equipping offenders with these skills, KCIW aims to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.
KCIW also recognizes that successful re-entry into society requires a supportive and least restrictive environment. The institution offers a range of community-based programs that help offenders transition back into society. These programs include work release, community service, and transitional housing. By providing these services, KCIW aims to promote community reintegration and reduce the likelihood of re-offending.
In addition to these programs, KCIW also offers a range of counseling and support services that aim to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior. These services include substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, and parenting classes. By addressing these issues, KCIW aims to promote public safety by reducing the likelihood of re-offending.
Overall, KCIW is committed to promoting public safety and community reintegration by providing offenders with the necessary tools and support to become productive members of society. Through its range of programs and services, KCIW aims to reduce recidivism and promote public safety while also promoting economic self-sufficiency and a least restrictive environment for adult female felons.