Bell County Forestry Camp (BCFC)
Bell County Forestry Camp is minimum-security state prison for male inmates that is located just outside of Pineville, Kentucky. This facility opened in 1962 and has a capacity of 300 inmates. It provides inmate labor to the Division of Forestry for fire fighting and fire break clearing. Governmental Services Program work details are also provided for other city, county, and state agencies.
The mission of Bell County Forestry Camp is to operate a safe and secure male minimum-security institution. This includes providing care, housing, custody, and control. Program emphasis is directed at returning inmates to the community based upon his demonstrated conduct and performance.
Inmates are encouraged to help themselves by participating in opportunities available to facilitate return to the community as a responsible citizen.
BCFC grounds cover an area of approximately fifteen acres in rural Bell County. There are fourteen buildings on the compound that include a dormitory, which contains three casework offices and two temporary holding cells.
In addition to the dormitory, there are other buildings which consist of an academic school, administration building, procedures office, medical building, multi-purpose building, recreation building, kitchen/dining hall, inmate library, inmates canteen, chapel, caustic/toxic, maintenance, training center, and a number of storage, utility, and support buildings. A water plant supplies the institution with drinking water as well as a sewage treatment plant.
Prison Insights
Bell County Forestry Camp (BCFC)
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting hours at Bell County Forestry Camp are on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. However, the schedule rotates based on the last digit of the inmate’s ID number. You can see a current schedule by clicking here.
General Rules
- Visits will be for a two-hour period.
- Visitor(s) must be on the Inmate's Visiting list or they will not be permitted to visit.
- Infants under the age of six months may visit unlimited times without a social security number, provided the person bringing them meets all of the guidelines to visit.
- Adults (18 and older) must have a photo ID. Children (17 and younger) photo IDs are recommended.
- If a minor is accompanied by a non-parent or guardian, they are required to have written consent, signed and notarized as a legal document.
- Inmates may not receive a visit during their first weekend at BCFC.
- No more than two adult visitors are allowed to visit an inmate during a controlled visit.
- No more than three adult visitors are allowed to visit an inmate during a contact visit.
- Physical contact within the bounds of appropriate good taste shall only be permitted at the beginning and at the end of each visit. (One brief kiss and hug. No open mouth kissing.)
- NO holding hands, and any other type of touching during a visit.
- Sexual stimulation or activity is strictly prohibited.
- Infants (0-1) may be held by the inmate. All other children must be seated or held by a visitor.
- Inmates and visitors are STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO SHARE FOOD OR DRINK ITEMS.
- Playing board games or cards is not permitted during visits.
- No one is allowed to insert their hands in pockets. Nothing can be carried in pockets.
- All visitors and inmates must keep hands above the tables during visits.
- For infants: only a receiving blanket of reasonable is permitted. All other blankets are prohibited.
- After exiting restrooms, visitors will open hands and open mouths for security check by the visitation officer.
- At any time, if security staff deems a reasonable cause, visitors and inmates will be searched. Visitors are assigned seating.
Dress Code
- NO spandex clothing. This includes pants and tops.
- No tank tops or tube tops.
- Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be at least knee length.
- No sleeveless shirts.
- No see-through or revealing clothing.
- Shirts must be capable of being tucked in jeans, slacks, or skirts.
- No low-cut provocative clothing will be allowed (i.e. tight fitting pants, low cut shirts, fishnet clothing, and no cleavage shall be visible).
- Appropriate undergarments must be worn (i.e. bra, underwear, slip worn with dress or skirt).
- No head coverings of any kind, including head-bands, religious head coverings will be allowed.
- Visitors must wear shoes and ALL shoes must be fully enclosed on all sides. NO flip-flops or sandals (Sandals are flat bottoms, open in the front).
- No coats, jackets, or hooded sweatshirts allowed in visiting room.
- Visitors inappropriately dressed WILL NOT be allowed to visit that day.
What can you bring to a visit?
- Up to $40.00 in $1.00 bills and silver change per inmate being visited, along with vehicle keys: one ignition, one door, and no keychain. All items must remain in a clear plastic bag.
- Clear container for money (plastic baggie, coin purse).
- Essential infant items (one clear plastic bottle, three diapers). No toys and/or glass jars.
- Visitors may wear one watch, one ring, and one pair of earrings.
- Items not allowed in the visiting area must be placed in lockers. Staff will dispose of any items left at the institution.
Physical Address
Bell County Forestry Camp
560 Correctional Drive
Pineville, KY 40977
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/Y7zJABKmNed3FTpi7
General Phone Number
(606)-337-7065
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate Name and DOC Number
Bell County Forestry Camp
560 Correctional Drive
Pineville, KY 40977
All incoming mail must be sent via the US Postal Service and is subject to be inspected or read to determine if contraband is enclosed or any rule violation has occurred.
How to Call an Inmate
You can’t call an inmate at the Bell County Forestry Camp, but they do have access to a phone during assigned times and are allowed to make monitored outgoing calls. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Kentucky, please click here.
How to Send Money
With JPay you can send money to KYDOC inmates, and next-day deposits are as low as $2.75.
- Online at JPay.com to send money in minutes with your credit or debit card.
- JPay Mobile App allows you to send money anytime, anywhere by downloading the free app for iPhone or Android.
- Call 800-574-5729 to speak with a live JPay agent, 24/7.
- Send cash with MoneyGram at walk-in locations, including CVS and Walmart (receive code 1232).
Programs For Inmates
MRT Anger Management
Anger Management is a cognitive-skill program that promotes growth and positive change in their mood development. The program takes approximately 6 months to complete, but there is no set time frame, as the inmate must complete each of their steps.
Moral Reconation Therapy
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) is a systematic, cognitive-behavioral, step-by-step treatment strategy designed to enhance self-image; promote growth of a positive, productive identity; and facilitate the development of higher stages or moral reasoning. The program takes approximately 6 months to complete, but there is no set time for the program, as the inmate must complete each of the twelve steps before moving on to the next. Some of the early steps are done in a group setting, with the group deciding if the inmate has successfully completed each step.
MRT Mentor
MRT Mentors have completed the MRT program and assist new students in the Moral Reconation Therapy class. During this program, MRT Mentors continue to work on their character development by learning more in depth about willpower and self-discipline.
MRT Successful Re-Entry into the Community
MRT Successful Re-Entry into the Community is a cognitive-behavioral program designed to impact the participants' thinking and behavior. Participants in this program may benefit from an educational program for job readiness. The facilitator will lead discussions and keep it orientated to work, careers, and the issues the exercises focus upon. The program takes approximately 6 months to complete, but there is no set time frame, as the inmate must complete each of their steps.
Portal New Directions
New Directions is a re-entry program to help inmates with the barriers they may be facing once released. These barriers may include money management, employment, parenting, housing, supervision, etc.
Inside-Out Dads
This program is to help incarcerated fathers to become better dads while on the inside, and for when they are released. It helps the fathers who will be released to continue their growth as dads when they are on the outside.
In 2 Work
This program is designed to provide hands-on training that consists of three phases - kitchen basics, retail basics, and Serv-Safe certification, which is highly regarded in the food service industry. The program is available to inmates assigned to the food service area. Basic reading and writing skills are taught.
Horticulture Program
Horticulture is a 10 month Good-Time eligible program based on the curriculum of the National Occupational Career Testing Institute, or NOCTI. The program is divided into two portions Horticulture/Landscaping and Workplace Readiness. A student must be within 24 months to Parole Board, or Serve Out, have 6 months clear conduct, must provide proof of a GED or High School Diploma, must possess a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and score a 9.0 on the TABE test to be eligible for this program.
AODA (Life Without a Crutch)
This program is an introduction to recovery from addiction. It describes what addiction is, its causes and effects, the rewards of overcoming it and ideas on how to begin. The program is used in a group counseling type setting and group participation is mandatory. The criteria for participation are a documented substance abuse problem, willingness to admit such, and participation.
AA/NA
This program is based on the 12-step principle to promote personal recovery from substance abuse and to prevent relapse. The program is open to any inmate, but specifically geared toward those with alcohol/narcotic addictions whose lives have become powerless due to alcoholism or narcotics.
Knox-Whitley Humane Association (K.W.A.S.) Second Chance Paws
Knox-Whitley Humane Association from Corbin, KY, is very proud to announce their affiliation with Bell County Forestry Camp in creating the second chance paws program. This program is placing a select few dogs from the crowded shelter life with handlers to learn basic socialization and obedience skills so that they will get a second chance at life. The program is an 8 week program. During this time the dogs learn basic obedience skills, how to coexist with many different people and be happy about it, proper leash walking skills, and socialization, all of which are highly adoptable traits. Not only does this program offer such high value knowledge for the dogs, it offers the inmates a chance to learn life skills, and what second chances are truly about.
Water Plant and Waste Water Treatment Plant Operators
Inmates working in the Water Plant or Waste Water Treatment Plants for 1 year qualify to test for Class I Operators license. After 2 years, they may test again for Class II license. It is often very difficult for an ex-offender to gain employment. There is a very high demand in these areas across the nation for operators and inmates that have acquired their licenses have been able to retain gainful employment
S.T.E.P.-UP Program
S.T.E.P.-UP (Student/Teen Education Program) is a program to educate children to make right choices. Since S.T.E.P.-UP began in February 2000, schools in the surrounding counties have requested this team that includes 1 Correctional Officer and 4 inmates to speak to their students from grades 5 through 12.
G.E.D./Academic School
BCFC offers opportunities for our inmates to further their education by pursuing their G.E.D. These classes are held five days a week in the academic school. One session is held in the morning and one in the afternoon. The education program is open entry and open exit, meaning that students may enter and leave the program at any time. New students are tested to find their strengths and weaknesses and then are able to progress at their own pace toward their final goal. The students study the five basic fields of the G.E.D. test: Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics.
Second Chance Paws
The dog program at Bell County Forestry Camp (BCFC) is called "Second Chance Paws" and is a partnership with the Knox-Whitley Humane Association in Corbin, KY. This program places a select few dogs from crowded shelter life with inmate handlers to learn basic socialization and obedience skills, providing the dogs a second chance at life.
During the eight-week program the dogs learn basic obedience skills, how to happily coexist with many different people, proper leash walking skills, and socialization - all of which are highly adoptable traits. Not only does this program offer valuable training for the dogs, it offers the inmates a chance to learn life skills and what second chances are truly about.
Currently the Knox-Whitley Humane Society can be contacted by telephone for adoption requests, Tuesday through Friday, from 11am to 4pm, and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. The number for the Humane Society is (606) 526-5925. The office is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Pictures of Bell County Forestry Camp (BCFC)
Careers at Bell County Forestry Camp (BCFC)
If you are interested in a career with the Kentucky Department of Corrections at the Bell County Forestry Camp, you can click here for more information.
