Green River Correctional Complex

Green River Correctional Complex is a 982-bed medium/minimum-security adult male correctional facility located in Central City, Kentucky, and operated by the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Department of Corrections. 

Construction of GRCC was completed in 1994, and the facility design is a direct supervision model that consists of three medium-security general population housing units with 444 double-bunked cells, a maximum-security segregation unit with 44 single-bunked cells, and a 50-bed, open dorm-style, minimum-security unit.

The ultimate mission of the facility is to prepare inmates to return to society as contributing, law-abiding citizens. The staff understands that the best program to accomplish that goal is by example while inmates are under their supervision. They are committed to providing an opportunity for all inmates to become productive citizens when they leave Green River Correctional Complex.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

General Population inmate visits are allowed on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. A visit could be ended prior to 2:00 due to visitation area capacity; however, length of traveled distance of the visitor is considered. Visitors are allowed entry for a visit from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to visit must be on the inmate’s pre-approved visitation list. A maximum of three adult visitors and their minor children are permitted per visit. An inmate can receive one visit per day.

Minimum unit and Meritorious Inmates are allowed visits during regular General Population weekend visits and on each Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visitor registration is 5:00 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. If the number of visitors exceeds the seating capacity of the visitation area, visitors will be divided into two groups based on time on arrival and each group will be allowed to visit for one and one half hours. A maximum of three adult visitors and their minor children are permitted per visit. An inmate can receive one visit per day.

Non-Contact visits are permitted by prior written appointment only, scheduled at least seven days in advance of the visit. Non-contact visits are normally scheduled on a weekend and the visits may last up to two hours. Visitors must be on the inmate’s pre-approved list and a maximum of two adult visitors and their minor children are permitted. An inmate can receive one non-contact visit per calendar week.

General Rules

Visits are held at an assigned seating location. Outside visitation is available on a first come first serve basis upon approval of the visitation supervisor and in the absence of inclement weather.

Brief physical contact such as holding hands, kissing, and embracing is permitted at the beginning and end of the visit. No items may be exchanged between the visitor and inmate during the visit, except items from the vending machines. 

Dress Code

Visitors must be dressed in a manner that is not lewd, sexually suggestive, inflammatory, or gang related. See-through clothing, sleeveless shirts or dresses, tank tops, cut-off shorts, halter tops, leggings, spandex pants, wrap around skirts/dresses,  and stirrup pants are not permitted.

Clothing must cover the midriff and bosom or chest. Female visitors must wear a bra and underwear. Male visitors must also wear underwear. A visitor is not permitted to wear jewelry except a wedding ring and a watch.  

Shoes must be closed toe and heel, i.e., no flip flops or sandals. Pants and shorts must be mid-thigh in length or longer. Skirts and dresses can’t be shorter than two inches above the knee and cannot have a split higher than two inches above the knee.  

Coats, jackets, sweaters, and hats are permissible, but will be inaccessible during the visit.

What can you bring to a visit?

An adult visitor may bring a maximum of $40.00 in one dollar bills or change for the purchase of food and soft drinks during the visit and one set of vehicle keys. A visitor with an infant is permitted to bring three diapers, two clear plastic bottles, powdered formula in a clear container, one pacifier, one blanket, two plastic jars/bottles of baby food, one plastic spoon, and a reasonable amount of baby wipes in a clear bag into the visit.

Smoking or use of tobacco products is strictly prohibited on institutional grounds. All items related to smoking or tobacco use must be left in the visitor’s locked personal vehicle. Introduction of tobacco items into the institution is considered promoting contraband.

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 Green River 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

In addition to Adult Basic Education, College Programs, and Technical School Programs, efforts to accomplish the task of rehabilitation consist of approximately 20 other inmate programs, including:

Alcoholics Anonymous & Narcotics Anonymous

AA and NA are worldwide fellowships of men and women for whom drugs and alcohol have become a major problem. They are programs of recovery for anyone who has the desire to stop drinking or using drugs. Both programs are spiritual in nature and based on twelve steps, and twelve traditions. By following the program of recovery offered in AA and NA, members have found a new way of life and become responsible, productive members of society.

Anger Management

Based on the book titled Houses of Healing: A Prisoner’s Guide to Inner Power and Freedom. This class lasts about 12 weeks and covers the following topics: Doing Time, Who Are You Anyway, Anger and Resentment, Grief, Forgiveness, Re-framing One’s Thoughts, Relaxation, Awareness and Meditation, Facing Guilt and the Impact of Crime, and Self-Forgiveness.

Victim Awareness

This is a six-week program that helps the inmate realize the hurt and pain that the victims suffered and continue to suffer.

Family Reunification

A six-week program that consists of videos and homework that helps the inmate, who is leaving prison, make a smooth transition to family life.

Life Skills

This is a 32-hour course that explores basic skills needed to live in our society. The main topics studied are budgeting, family planning, parenting, banking, taxes and personal record keeping, investing and credit, transportation, job hunting and resume skills, techniques for keeping a job, and effective communication.

Life Without a Crutch

This is a drug education program based on the book Life Without a Crutch. It is ten weeks long and explores the following topics: Addiction and its effects, Natural Needs - Unnatural Solutions, Why is it Hard to Change, Why Bother, The Road to Recovery, Finding the Right Help, For the Family and Loved Ones, and Taking Action. 

Pathfinders

Pathfinders is a 15-week intensive pre-release class and it is a cognitive therapy, educational program. Participants learn Team Building Skills, Resume Writing, Self Esteem, Drug and Alcohol Addiction/Education, Anger Management, Communication, Problem Solving, Time Management, Motivation, Values, and Life Planning.

Practical Parenting

This is a 48-hour class that deals with all aspects of parenting that focuses on the importance of fathers in their children’s lives. Guest speakers are brought in from the community and a combination of films; class discussion and lectures make this an effective class. 

There is also a cooperative effort with the Muhlenberg County Adult Education Center, which provides family oriented educational toys for visits. They also provide tape recorders, tapes, and books for children ranging from birth to 18 years of age that the inmate records himself reading and mails it to his children, which helps facilitate attachments. 

Prison to the Streets

This is an extensive 40-hour transition/re-entry program that provides education and community resources that hopefully enable the inmates to exit prison gates and begin new lives with confidence, support, and community connectivity as possible.

Success After Prison

This is a ten-hour pre-release course that covers expectations, positive outcomes from serving time, responsibility, and tips for staying out. Inmates participating in this class write essays on various related topics after each class.

Pictures of Green River Correctional Complex

Careers at Green River Correctional Complex

If you are interested in a career with the Kentucky Department of Corrections at the Green River Correctional Complex, you can click here for more information.