Blackburn Correctional Complex

Blackburn Correctional Complex is the largest adult male minimum-security in the commonwealth of Kentucky, and it is located near Lexington. The facility provides care, housing, custody, control, and governmental services jobs to inmates. It houses approximately 320 inmates.

The ​mission of Blackburn Correctional Complex emphasizes security and control. The main program is to assist inmates in progressing to a community service center and/or return to the community as citizens after positive behavior, program participation, and work performance has been demonstrated. 

Accountability for voluntary program opportunities includes academic and vocational education, substance abuse programs, recreation and club activities, religious and counseling programs.

The Blackburn Correctional Complex is named after former Governor Luke P. Blackburn who is known as “the father of prison reform in Kentucky.”

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Inmates at Blackburn may receive visitors on weekends and state holidays between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm. Visitors are not allowed to enter the complex after 2:00pm. 

General Rules

• Visitors must stop at Post One and give proper identification including vehicle license number. The officer will direct the visitor to the visitors parking and visiting area. Each visitor must sign in with the Visiting Officer located at the Visitation Building.
• Visitor's car and person are subject to search
• Visitors must park in the designated parking lot across the road from the gym. Upon exiting the vehicle, it must be securely locked with all windows rolled up and all items locked up that are in the back of pick-up trucks. Vehicles need to be secured.
• Visitors enter the visiting area from the front entrance of the Visitation Building. Once a visitor enters the visiting area, they are not allowed to return to their vehicle except for leaving the Complex, unless authorized by the Visitation Supervisor.
• Visitors leaving the Complex are not allowed to return to the complex until the next scheduled visiting day.
• Due to space limitation of the visiting area, inmates are only permitted three approved adult visitors per visiting period.
• Visitors are prohibited from bringing any food or drinks to the visiting area. Vending machines are provided. 
• Visitors are assigned to a table by a Visiting Officer and directed to the seat.

Dress Code

Visitors must wear undergarments to include bra, panties, and underwear. Sheer dresses and skirts require slips.

Visitors must be dressed properly. Modest attire includes the following.

• Dresses
• Skirts
• Jeans
• Pant Suits
• Blouses or shirts are recommended as appropriate for females
• Shorts are allowed for females, but must extend to no less than mid-thigh or three inches above the knee
• Male visitors can wear long pants or shorts. Shorts must be no less than mid-thigh or three inches above the knee and a long or short sleeve shirt

The following clothing is prohibited:

• Clothing with a split or slit of any type
• Clothing which does not completely cover the midriff, cleavage, or bosom
• Short-shorts, mini-skirts, or halter tops
• Tank tops, muscle shirts, sleeveless stops, or see-through clothing of any kind
• Head coverings of any kind, including a headband, excluding religious head coverings
• Blouses shall be buttoned to conceal cleavage
• Leggings, unless worn under a dress or skirt that extends no less than three inches above the knee.

What can you bring to a visit?

• Up to $15.00 in quarters and 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 (two clear plastic bottles, three diapers). No toys and/or glass jars.

Purses, wallets, and handbags are not allowed in the visiting area. Cell phones must be locked in vehicles.

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 Blackburn Correctional Complex, 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

​Programs For ​Inmates

Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA)

Self-help groups open to any inmate that reports a problem with alcohol or drugs. The group is based on the national 12 step principles. The group is sponsored by a Classification and Treatment Officer.

Barkburn Dog Program-A New Leash on Life

Blackburn Correctional Complex, in partnership with the Jessamine County Animal Care and Control (JCACC) since January 19, 2017. The program consists of 20 inmate dog handlers and 10 dogs. The 20 inmates are partnered in two man/one dog teams. The inmates teach the canines basic obedience skills so that the dog can find a forever home one they complete the 8-week class. The program’s goals are to aid the Animal Care and Control in training sheltered canines to make them more adoption friendly. The program also provides job skills and promotes teamwork among the inmates in program.

Inside Out Dads

A six-month program to help incarcerated fathers to become better dads while on the inside and for when they are released. It helps to encourage the family unit when the father will be released and continue their growth as dads.

Moral Recognition Therapy Groups:

(MRT, Anger Management, Relapse Prevention, MRT Mentor)

A six-month counseling program that combines education, group and individual counseling, and structured exercises designed to foster moral development in treatment resistant clients. MRT addresses beliefs and reasoning and is a systematic, step-by-step group counseling treatment approach for treatment resistant clients. The program is designed to alter how clients think and make judgements about what is right and wrong. The MRT system approaches the problem of treating populations by targeting problems associated with low levels of moral reasoning.

New Directions

New Directions is a re-entry program to help inmates with barriers they may face once released. These barriers may include money management, employment, parenting, housing, supervision, job interviewing skills, etc. New Directions is broken into 19 modules with 10 sub-categories.

Safety Specialist

This is a program where inmates receive two 30-hour OSHA cards for General Industry and Construction, CPR/First Aid/AED training and certification, and Forklift Certification. Along with doing safety inspections and confined space training.

In2Work Aramark Food Service

This program is designed to provide hands on training that consists of three phases; kitchen basics, retail basics, and serve safe certification, which is highly regarded in the food service industry. The program is available to inmates in the food service area. Upon completion, inmates receive a SafeServe Certification.

Soft Skills Boot Camp

This is a nine module/video and two-bonus program module/video program. Soft Skills Boot Camp is designed to assist inmates in getting a job upon release. The program teaches soft skills, work ready skills such as communication, problem solving, customer service, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

Veterans Club

The Blackburn Correctional Complex Veteran’s Club is a volunteer membership that links civilian/military resources and incarcerated veterans of all branches of military service who have served during times of peace and times of war. The club strives to support veterans by encouraging lifestyle management principles that contribute to success with their incarceration, community, spiritual, and emotional needs.

WORK PROGRAMS

Governmental Service Program (GSP)

This program provides an inmate work force to state agencies or projects and provides the inmate with a realistic work experience. Details currently exist with the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Special Details also provide other agencies as needed and that are approved.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF)

Blackburn Correctional Complex manages one of seven Second Chances Farms for Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), which is the only one currently in Kentucky. The Farm houses 57 Thoroughbreds that have retired or have limited athletic future. The inmates participate in horse care and farm management. They learn basic veterinary care, biology/anatomy, grooming, dental care, and training the horses. There is also classroom work and teaching that if the inmate successfully completes a written exam may earn meritorious good time toward their sentence.

Cattle Farm

Blackburn Correctional Complex has over 100 registered Angus cattle that are cared for utilizing inmate labor. The cattle farm has two calving seasons per year.

Correctional Industries

The purpose of the Correctional Industries program is to use inmate labor to produce and perform services that are a benefit to the Commonwealth and provide the inmate with a realistic work experience and marketable skill upon release. BCC Prison Industries operations include office panel computer work zone systems and mattresses.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Academic School

Provides assistance in skills in reading, writing and math for inmates functioning at any level. Inmates may earn a GED. All inmates without a GED are required to participate in this educational program.

GED

Adult Secondary Education (ASE) and GED Preparation. Adult Secondary Education courses prepare students for the General Educational Development (GED) test. The GED test has four subjects: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies.

TECHNICAL PROGRAMS

Horticulture

The Horticulture Program offers two phases of vocational education. Phase I consists of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core Curriculum, NCCER Your Role in the Green Environment, National Career Readiness Certificate, and (2) OSHA 10 Hour Safety Courses (Construction and General Industry). Phase II consists of the NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) Certification in Horticulture, Landscaping Option.

Masonry

The masonry program is a 10-month program providing inmates with entry level masonry skills that will enable them to enter the workforce. Masonry uses a curriculum established by NCCER, a nationally recognized curriculum used by technical schools and apprenticeships throughout the nation. Masonry consists of three levels composed of twenty-one modules. Students also complete two 10-hour OSHA courses as part of the VT Fundamentals.

Pictures of Blackburn Correctional Complex

Careers at Blackburn Correctional Complex