Luther Luckett Correctional Complex

The Luther Luckett Correctional Complex is a medium/maximum-security state prison that is located near La Grange, Kentucky. It was the first security institution to be built in Kentucky since the Kentucky State Reformatory in 1937. This complex was built in direct response to the Federal Consent Decree involving the Kentucky Department of Corrections. 

The complex was named in honor of Mr. Luther Luckett, an employee of the Department of Corrections for more than twenty years. It stands as a tribute to him and exemplifies his dedication and commitment to duty and excellence in correctional management.

The Mission of the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, in accordance with the Department of Corrections is twofold: To promote public safety, secure incarceration from the community; and, to give felons the opportunities and capabilities to contribute positively to society upon release through use of constructive classification, programs, and work assignment.

Luther Luckett Correctional Complex is unique in that it actually houses two separate institutions. The Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center operated by the Health and Family Services Cabinet. The two facilities share a number of resources and operate under a written shared services agreement.

The first inmates were received at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in March 1981. Although the institution was designed to house 486, with double bunking in 1990, the operational capacity was raised to 995. Day beds have been added to the general population unit wings (7A, 7B and 7C). LLCC's current institutional capacity is 1097.

The physical plant consists of five living units, a 44-bed special management unit, a 16-bed minimum-security unit, numerous support buildings including academic and vocational schools and indoor recreation areas. 

The living units are broken down into three different categories: general population, meritorious housing, and one dormitory being utilized as a therapeutic community type setting for inmates enrolled in the Substance Abuse Program. Perimeter security consists of 14-foot high fencing with electronic sensors topped by razor wire, monitored by four fixed security tower positions supplemented by a mobile perimeter patrol.

The documentary Shakespeare Behind Bars, which featured a production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest by prison inmates, was filmed at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours for general population inmates at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex are on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitors may begin sign in at 8:00 a.m. However, the visiting days are on an odd/even rotation based on the last digit of the inmate’s DOC number. Please call the institution directly or speak with your inmate to find out when they have approved visiting hours.

Inmates housed in the meritorious living units are permitted to visit on Saturday and Sunday, or if they only visit on one of the days, it will be the day they chose, regardless of the even-odd rotation. 

Inmates who are housed in the Restrictive Housing Unit and/or have had their visiting privileges restricted for other reasons are permitted non contact visits only. Visitations to inmates with non-contact visiting are by appointment only.  The visit must be scheduled one week in advance. It is the inmate's responsibility to schedule these visits.

The inmate may place verified immediate family members and up to three non-family members on his visiting list. All visitors shall be approved in advance before they may be added to the visiting list. You must be on the approved list to visit.

General Rules

The goal of the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex is to provide you with the opportunity to visit with your loved ones in a safe and clean environment. The staff assigned to this facility is there to assist you, and they will provide you with instructions and process you through the institution according to official visiting procedures.

As a visitor, the facility expects you to become familiar with the visiting rules and regulations of this institution. The rules and regulations are outlined below, and they expect you to follow the rules and regulations and to cooperate with staff at all times. Any violation of the visiting rules and regulations may result in the termination, suspension, or loss of your visiting privileges.

Visitors age 18 and over must have a picture I.D. in order to enter the institution. 

The outside visiting lawn will be open for seating when the weather permits, and the privilege is reserved for honor inmates only. Orange ID inmates will also be allowed outside visiting where available. If honor inmates request outside visitation, then orange ID inmates will have to move.

Visitors must wait in the waiting area until the inmate they wish to visit is called and has arrived in the visiting room. Unless prior approval has been granted, there is a maximum of three adult visitors over the age of 18 allowed per visit, with infants and youths not counted in total.

LLCC is committed to a positive visiting program and tries to allow the maximum time of two-hour visits to ensure sound operational security practices. The two-hour visit depends upon space available. If the visiting area reaches capacity and other visitors are waiting for available space to visit other inmates, visits will be terminated on a first-in, first-out basis. This will ensure all inmates have an opportunity to visit.

A visitor who has traveled more than 150 miles may be given an exemption from the two-hour limit prior to visit termination. A request for an extended visit must be scheduled by the inmate through his CTO. It must be approved by the Deputy Warden of Security seven days prior to the visit.

Dress Code

• No low cut or provocative clothing (tank tops, halter tops, see-through clothing, sleeveless garments, Spandex, etc.)
• No clothing that fails to completely cover the midriff and bosom.
• Shorts or skirts can be no higher than two inches above the knee cap.
• Jeggings and/or leggings are not permitted.
• Undergarments must be worn.
• No head apparel unless it is religious in nature.
• No clothing with inflammatory emblems, graphics, slogans, no rips or holes.
• No open toe shoes, sandals, or flip flops.
• Each visitor may wear only one wedding ring and one necklace with or without medallion. This is the only jewelry allowed in the visiting area.
• Minors twelve and older must comply with the above dress code; younger children should be dressed sensibly and according to the needs of their age.
• Please remember that the Visitation Supervisor will make the final determination regarding dress code.

For security purposes, jackets and coats are not allowed in the visiting area. Visitors may leave them in their vehicles or hang them on wall pegs in the mall area.

What can you bring to a visit?

The following items are allowed in the visiting area:

• Limit of $40.00 in ones or five dollar bills.  The bill changer does not accept $10.00, and $20.00 bills.  
• Essential infant needs (up to three diapers, one clear, small, ziplock bag with baby wipes and three plastic bottles).
• Coin purse (clear plastic only).
• Prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses.
• Medication (reviewed on case-by-case basis)

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

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

Vocational Education

Classes leading to diplomas and certificates in trades such as Carpentry, Electricity, Masonry and Auto Technology. A GED and minimum reading and math levels are required.

Academic Classes

Individualized study programs ranging from basic reading through GED is offered in three hour sessions (morning, afternoon, and night). Studies are at each student's pace and are open entry, open exit.

Life Skills Program

Offered to all interested inmates. Some are specific sign up courses, and some life skills are provided as part of vocation and academic programs. Programs offered include: Introduction to Computers, Stress Management, Anger Management, Parenting, Family Life, and Finances.

Jefferson Community College

Jefferson Community College (JCC) offers a two-year Associate of Arts Degree. Correspondence college courses are approved on an individual basis through the Education Administrator and the Deputy Warden of Operations.

Pathfinder Program

This is a pre-release program that lasts approximately 15 weeks in duration. Areas covered in the program are team building, communication, stress management, anger management, problem solving, values, time management, and life planning.

Modified Therapeutic Community (Substance Abuse Program)

The Division of Mental Health Substance Abuse Program is based on a form of a treatment known as a modified therapeutic community (TC). The concept for this type of program comes from research that shows that a group living together, moving towards a common goal, and isolated as much as possible from negative influences, can achieve more than other types of programs aimed at modifying behavior. 

This type of program differs from most residentially-based corrections programs in that it requires participants to adopt a "brothers keeper" focus and attitude. This means that instead of someone minding their own business while being aware of another's rule violations and doing nothing that the person will actively bring to the wrong doers attention the infraction being committed. 

Therefore, the rule violator will have a new awareness of their behavior and have a chance to correct things before more serious consequences could be generated. Additionally, inmates are taught that one individual's behavior will have consequences for the whole community since others in the community generally have an awareness of what is going on around them and they have a responsibility to stop behavior that can threaten the safety and integrity of the whole community.

This type of program differs in that most of the "treatment" occurs in groups and meeting instead of classes. Passive learning in a classroom has its place, but more effective growth occurs through active learning and participation in the program.

This type of program is only successful for those individuals willing to admit that their old way of thinking and behaving will only continue to bring them to prison or lead to death. Extremely criminally minded individuals will not be able to tolerate the expectations of this type of program. 

The staff actively screens for evidence of this type of attitude and the correlated resistance to change and remove these elements from the program so that those participants who are serious about the program have a safe place to work on the recovery that will keep them sober and free.

The TC program primarily takes Parole Board referrals or those individuals the Board has asked for an evaluation of. Discretionary approval for non-Parole Board referrals rests solely on the Program Director. 

The active phases of treatment last approximately six months. There is a pre-orientation phase of treatment where an assessment of the inmate occurs in making sure they are appropriate additions to the treatment community. The inmate will have to participate in community functions and complete certain tasks prior to being approved for active treatment. 

Inmates who see the Parole Board before graduation do not sign any waivers. However, the responsibility for graduating rests with the individual inmate. Parole is NOT GUARANTEED, but the program does have a consistently high parole rate.

Graduates from the TC program will participate in six months to one year of community level aftercare. The Parole Board mandates this participation and the individual risks revocation for not complying with aftercare. Aftercare typically consists of outpatient or intensive outpatient programming plus mandatory AA/NA meetings. This compliance is monitored by an aftercare coordinator who is a separate person from the parole officer.

Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP)

The Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) provides sexual offenders who are amenable to treatment with resources to prevent further sexual offenses. Luther Luckett Correctional Complex (LLCC) is one of four institutions in Kentucky that offers SOTP. 

Counseling

There are several types of counseling available to the inmate population. Unit Staff will assist in day-to-day guidance and counseling and refer inmates to other programs as appropriate.

Pictures of Luther Luckett Correctional Complex

Careers at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex