Roederer Correctional Complex

Roederer Correctional Complex is a minimum/medium-security state prison for male inmates located near La Grange, Kentucky. It was originally opened as a work camp to operate a 3,000-acre prison farm.

Roederer Correctional Complex has three distinct purposes:

• The Assessment and Classification Center processes all incoming male felons with the exception of those sentenced to death row. In excess of 7,000 inmates are processed by this institution each year. The assessment Center is also responsible for all sentence calculations of felons in Controlled Intake (currently 1,600) and for classifying felons for the Class D Program (approximately 4,000 per year).
• The permanent inmates at Roederer provide support services for the institution including 200 inmates who work in the Maintenance Department, Kitchen, Laundry, Legal Office, Grievance Office, etc. 108 minimum custody inmates maintain the 3,000 acre farm. The permanent inmate population at this institution totals 308 at full capacity.
• The Substance Abuse Treatment Program is a 200-bed intensive in-patient treatment unit for minimum and community custody inmates. Treatment is facilitated through inmate mentors (former program graduates), treatment staff, security staff, community mentors and volunteers.

On December 1, 1987, RCC was converted to a medium/minimum security institution with 100 medium and 152 minimum custody inmates. The institution underwent another major transition on May 1, 1989, when it was transformed to the Assessment and Classification Center for the Kentucky Department of Corrections for all incoming state prisoners, excluding inmates that received the death penalty.

The physical plant consists of a total of 1238 beds. Nine hundred and thirty medium-security beds are within the fenced perimeter and 200 of these medium-custody inmates are permanently assigned inmates that provide support services for the institution. These inmates proved the basic services to the institution such as Food Service, Laundry, Legal Aide Office, Grievance Office, Janitorial, etc. 

The remaining 730 medium-security beds are utilized to house inmates entering the system as part of the Assessment Center for the Department of Corrections. There are currently 108 minimum-custody beds located outside the fence. Two hundred minimum custody inmates are participating in the Substance Abuse Program, and the remaining 108 minimum-custody inmates also provide support services for the institution such as Maintenance, Warehouse, Horticulture Program, and the Farm Operation. 

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at Roederer Correctional Complex are on weekends and state holidays only from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and no one is allowed to enter after 2:00 p.m.

Assessment and Classification (A/C) InmatesㅡAssessment Center inmates must be at the A/C Center 60 days before being eligible for a visit. Eligible A/C inmates receive a one-hour maximum visit. Permanent inmates receive a two-hour maximum visit unless an extended visit has been pre-approved.

ALL INMATES whether Unit 3 permanents, eligible AC, MSU, or Unit 5 inmates may receive visits at any time between 8:30am and 2:00pm.

Inmates will be allowed to receive visits one day per weekend, to be determined by the last digit of their institutional ID number, as follows:

• Inmates whose ID number ends in an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8)
• Permitted to receive visits on Saturdays during even-number months (February, April, June, August, October, December).
• During odd-number months (January, March, May, July, September, November) these inmates will be permitted to receive visits on Sundays.
• Inmates whose ID number ends in an odd digit (1, 3, 5, 7, 9)
  • Permitted to receive visits on Saturdays during odd number months (January, March, May, July, September, November).
  • During even numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, December), these inmates will be permitted to receive visits on Sundays

General Rules

• Any visitor appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance will not be permitted to enter the institution.
• Visits are limited to two adults and a reasonable number of children (under the age of 12) and be listed on the inmates approved visiting list.
• Adults must have a picture identification card
• Any child under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or a stamped notarized letter from the child's legal guardian must be presented prior to allowing the visit. 
• The length of visits is determined by factors such as available space, weather conditions, security needs, etc.
• All visitors are subject to being searched upon entering the institution, while at the institution and before leaving the institution. Searches are conducted by a staff member of the same sex. If you refuse to be searched before entering the institution, your visiting privileges may be denied. If you refuse to be searched while in the institution, you may be detained until the appropriate law enforcement authorities arrive. If reasonable suspicion exists that the person is concealing contraband, a more thorough search may be conducted.

Dress Code

• All visitors are required to wear underclothes unless medical documentation is submitted prior to arriving for the visit.
• A visitor can’t wear khaki colored clothing or an orange shirt resembling an inmate uniform
• Skin tight clothing or see-through clothing is not permitted.
• Sleeveless or low cut tops are not permitted. Clothing or pants with holes are not permitted.
• A visitor may not wear a halter top, hot pants, miniskirt, athletic or yoga shorts, or pants, cutoffs, spandex clothing, leggings, tights, sweat suit, wrap around skirts, or wrap around dress.
• Clothing must completely cover the midriff, cleavage, bosom, armpits, and thighs.
• Shorts, skirts and dresses must be no shorter than four inches above the knee.
• Shirts must be long enough to be tucked into jeans, slacks or skirts.
• Shoes must be worn at all times and must be closed toe. No sandals, clogs, or flip flops.
• No hats or head coverings except for religious headwear.
• Bib pants, clothing, or belts with large metal attachments are not allowed.
• Minors 12 years old and older must comply with all dress code requirements listed in this policy. Children younger than 12 years old must be dressed according to the needs of the child's age.
• No purses, wallets, or billfolds.

What can you bring to a visit?

• A visitor is only allowed to bring the door key and ignition key to their vehicle into the visiting room.
• Each visitor may wear only one wedding ring, one necklace with or without a medallion, and one pair of earrings. This is the only jewelry allowed in the visiting area.
• Games, pictures, letters, books, magazines, newspapers, or other reading material is not permitted in the visiting room.
• Food or drink can’t be brought into the visiting room.
• Smoking is not permitted in the visiting room. Tobacco products, matches, or lighters can’t be brought into the institution.
• The total amount of money allowed per group for a visit must not exceed forty dollars for use in available vending machines. A bill must not be larger than five dollars.
• If a visitor is accompanied by a small child, they may bring a maximum of two clear plastic baby bottles, one pacifier, one baby blanket, three disposable diapers, and a small amount of baby wipes. Baby items must be in a clear bag. Toys are not permitted.
• Any visitor requesting to bring medication into the visiting area must obtain permission from the Shift Supervisor on duty. Only the amount necessary for use during the visit is allowed if authorized.
• No cell phones, pagers, drugs, alcohol, ammunition, weapons, destructive devices, cameras, recording equipment, or any item considered contraband is allowed in the institution.

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

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​Programs For ​Inmates

College

RCC works in partnership with Jefferson County Technical College to provide college to allow offenders to work towards achieving their Associates Degree.

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.

Horticulture

Horticulture is a vocational program provided to minimum custody offenders. The Horticulture Program at Roederer Correctional Complex now 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 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.

Microsoft

Microsoft is a vocational program that covers practical applications for Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook along with basic computing and windows. Each component has a test that must be passed along with the IC3 test.

Substance Abuse Program (SAP)

RCC offers a six-month evidence based substance abuse treatment opportunity for those individuals assessed with Substance Use Disorder and classified to be housed in a minimum custody prison setting. Residents in these programs are housed separately from the prison general population, thereby forming their own community that encourages responsibility and accountability through peer support and uninterrupted focus on substance use treatment.

Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)

MRT takes the form of group and individual counseling using structured group exercises and prescribed homework assignments. The MRT workbook is structured around 16 objectively defined steps (units) focusing on seven basic treatment issues: confrontation of beliefs, attitudes and behaviors; assessment of current relationships; reinforcement of positive behavior and habits; positive identity formation; enhancement of self-concept; decrease in hedonism and development of frustration tolerance; and development of higher stages of moral reasoning.

MRT Thinking for Good

Thinking for Good aims at the individuals who are currently in the setting of an Assessment Center. The program first looks at confronting antisocial and criminal thinking, in other words, separating oneself from victimization taking action as pertaining to what the next few months or years will look like while incarcerated.

MRT Anger Management

The Coping with Anger curriculum to target the population that has problems identifying with their angry selves and require assistance in doing so. This eight-step program approach targets clients that tend to destroy themselves, their home, their family, their jobs/possessions, and health by letting themselves get carried away by something that triggered an adrenaline rush.

MRT Parenting for Fathers

This program is aimed toward father figures (i.e.: big brothers, grandparents, step-parents). It utilizes two curriculums to teach the client the parenting of a mother, father and parent (note that all of these are different roles). The program's mission is to strategically and systematically teach/re-teach parents the role of being "the provider" and what that entails. Moreover, it depicts that family values do not include egocentric decision making, but rather what is best for the child and the family unit.

MRT- Successful Re-entry to the Community

This program is aimed at inmates who have six months to a year prior to being released from the institution and who will be re-entering the realms of their old community. The treatment strategy utilized encompasses multi-directional approaches weekly in which clients receive education, support, skills/tools, security and safety, ability to plan/work on a realistic/measurable/attainable master goal plan for when they exit the institution and re-join the community. Its purpose is to train the individual to recognize what tools to utilize in what situation in order to become and remain successful in the transformation/transition.

Portal-New Directions

This program is broken into 19 modules with 10 sub categories. The program covers the day-to-day living skills inmates need to be successful on the street. This includes banking, employment search, legal documentation and housing. 

Emergency Medical Technician Program

The Emergency medical technician training program trains potential EMTs to manage urgent care patients as well as in transport to hospitals or other medical facilities. The program is available to those housed in minimum custody. The participants will have an EMT certification test at the conclusion of the course.  Those that pass the course will earn an Emergency Medical Technician certification.

In2Work (N2W)

This program is designed to provide hands-on training that consists of three phasesㅡkitchen basics, retail basics, and SafeServ certificationㅡwhich is highly regarded in the food service industry. The program is available to inmates assigned to the food service area. Upon completion, the participant receives a SafeServ Certification.

WasteWater Treatment Program

This program covers the operation and maintenance of a one million gallon per day extended aeration plant dealing with raw sewage that is treated with microorganisms. Plant treatment includes daily readings of a variety of different chemical levels and pump and motor readings.  After each year of experience, a WasteWater Exam may be taken in order to obtain a license from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Soft Skills Boot camp

This 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 and is limited to inmates releasing within one year. The program teaches soft skillsㅡwork ready skills such as communication, problem solving, customer service, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

Veterans Club

The Roederer Correctional Complex Veterans 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 a broadening of their self-image and by encouraging lifestyle management principles that contribute to success with their incarceration, community, spiritual, and emotional needs. 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

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.

Dog Program- Roederer Correctional Canine Program

The Dog Program places dogs with carefully selected inmate handlers/trainers to be trained in obedience and socialization. This is an intensive program and upon graduation, these dogs are highly adoptable and possess several obedience skills. These dogs are also house-trained, crate-trained, leash-trained, and respond to voice and hand commands. The dogs in this program are trained to become therapy dogs in the community.

Horse Program

The horse program teaches minimum-security offenders a non-restraint method of training where the handler is shown how to gain the horse's respect in early lessons.  Inmates learn the fundamentals of groundwork and riding. Upon completion, the participant receives a certificate.

Pictures of Roederer Correctional Complex

Careers at Roederer Correctional Complex

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