Western Kentucky Correctional Complex

The Western Kentucky Correctional Complex is a minimum/medium-custody state prison for both male and female inmates that is located near Fredonia, Kentucky. It has a medium-custody facility for male inmates and the Ross-Cash Center, a minimum-custody unit for female inmates. 

Originally constructed in 1968 as a satellite facility and work camp of Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP), the property transitioned to Western Kentucky Farm Center in 1977 and became a separate correctional minimum-security facility. In 1989, the institution was renamed Western Kentucky Correctional Complex (WKCC) and was converted into medium-security facility with a minimum-security unit remaining. 

The facility underwent a transition in 2010 when its population was changed from adult males to adult females. In 2015, responding to an ever changing corrections population, the facility was split into two separate prisons. WKCC became a secure-custody adult male facility and The Ross-Cash Center (Ross-Cash) was created as a minimum-security adult female facility.

In 2016, Ross-Cash joined WKCC becoming one facility again, retaining separate adult male and female populations, and making WKCC the only state-level co-ed facility in Kentucky. Since 1988, WKCC has been accredited with the American Correctional Association (ACA), which is recognized throughout the nation as the accrediting body of correctional agencies.

Today, Western Kentucky Correctional Complex houses a population of 693 inmates, with 493 beds located within a fenced perimeter and houses an adult male population, and another 200 beds are located outside the fenced perimeter at The Ross-Cash Center and houses an adult female population.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Inmates That Have Clear Conduct

• Their visitation is from 7:30am - 2:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday and state-recognized holidays. Visitor registration for weekend visitation is from 7:30am - 10:30am. A visitor will not be permitted to enter after 10:30 am or exit between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Visitors arriving to the parking lot are required to wait in their vehicle until 7:30am.

General Population Inmates

• Their visitation is from 10:30am - 1:30pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and state-recognized holidays. Visitor registration for weekend visitation starts at 10:30am.

All visitors must report to the Staff Canteen across the street from the entrance to the Administration Building and take a number from the number board. Visitors will be processed in numerical order. Once the visitor's number is displayed on the message board outside the Administration Building, they may report to the Administration Building for processing. All visitors, to include children, will be pat searched by a staff person of the same sex and will be required to process through the metal detector.

The visitation schedule is rotated on a quarterly basis and is assigned specific visiting days for each inmate based on the inmates housing unit.

2020 WKCC Visitation Schedule

Both Saturday and Sunday          Clear Conduct                7:30 am – 2:00 pm

Saturday or Sunday                       General Population       10:30 am – 1:30 pm

January, February, and March
Saturday: Even
Sunday: Odd

April, May, and June
Saturday: Odd
Sunday: Even

July, August, and September
Saturday: Even
Sunday: Odd

October, November, and December
Saturday: Odd
Sunday: Even

Inmates who live in Meritorious Housing and/or have six months of continuous clear conduct may visit on both weekend days and every day noted on the holiday schedule.

Visitors wishing to visit inmates assigned to the Restrictive Housing Unit must write for an approved time and be received five working days in advance of the visit. The RHU visits will be conducted by close circuit television and be limited to two hours.

General Rules

To accommodate the amount of indoor visiting space at WKCC, each inmate is allowed a maximum of three adult visitors at any one time. There are no restrictions on the number of visitors under age 18 provided other regulations regarding children's entry are met.

All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitation list prior to the day of visitation. It is the responsibility of the inmate to ensure all visitors are on the approved list.

If a visitor leaves the visiting area, they will not be permitted to re-enter the institution the same day.

Dress Code

In keeping with the institution's policy of maintaining a healthy, relaxed visiting atmosphere, the adoption of reasonable standards of dress has been established.

• A visitor must dress in appropriate attire while at the institution. If the admitting officer determines that the visitor is not properly clothed in accordance with the dress code stated below, the visit may be denied. Proper dress shall be maintained throughout the visit.
• Undergarments must be worn. Female visitors must wear a bra and underwear, and male visitors must wear underwear.
• Visitors shall not wear the following
  • Tank Tops
  • Cut-off T-Shirts
  • See-through clothing (Mesh, net or transparent)
  • Halter Tops
  • Leggings
  • Spandex pants
• Appropriate attire includes:
  • Dress (females only)
  • Skirt (females only)
  • Blue Jeans
  • Pants
  • Suit
  • Shirt
  • Shorts
• Shorts and skirts must not be higher than six inches above the knee. A dress or skirt, with any split, slit, zipper, or buttons must not exceed six inches above the knee. Two hair ties or one headband may be worn by a visitor.
• Clothing must cover the midriff, cleavage, and bosom. Shirts and blouses must have sleeves and shall be buttoned.
• Footwear is required at all times.
• A visitor can’t wear clothing, a hat, insignia, or emblem that reflects a gang or club that is not recognized by institutional policies.
• Any minor age 12 or older must comply with the adult dress code.

What can you bring to a visit?

Each adult visitor is permitted to bring a maximum of $30 in denominations no larger than $1 bills only for use in the vending machines. Coins are allowed. An additional $5 for each minor is permitted for use in the vending machines. 

Absolutely no money can be given to or handled by an inmate. An inmate and visitor is prohibited from exchanging anything other than an item purchased in the vending machines. Visitors and inmates must use a reasonable voice level. Loud talking, arguing, loud laughing, or yelling may result in termination of the visit. 

Excluding a coat or jacket as outlined in this policy, personal property items are limited to the following:

• Wedding band (if married) - no other jewelry, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and body piercing jewelry, except for an approved medical alert bracelet or necklace.
• Comb or brush
• One handkerchief, white only
• Identification Card
• Vehicle keys
• Prescription glasses

If required, prescription medications shall be left in the Control Center in the container the medication was prescribed in. Only the dosage required to be taken while at WKCC is allowed.

The parent or guardian of an infant or small child, in addition to the personal items listed above, shall be permitted the following:

• Stroller or infant seat
• Diaper bag including the following:
  • Clothing - One change per child
  • Six diapers
  • Bottles, clear plastic
  • Formula to drink - unopened ready mixed or pre-mixed container opened in presence of visiting officials
  • Container - One clear plastic for excess formula, if necessary
  • Wipes - small package (new and unopened)
  • Baby blanket
  • Pacifier
  • Teething ring

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

Programs For Inmates

Substance Abuse Programs

WKCC's Therapeutic Community is a six to nine month program. New clients start programming in the Orientation Phase. Orientation familiarizes the client with the program rules, expectations, and basic alcohol and drug education. There are four phases in the community. Phase One focuses on criminal thinking and thinking errors. Phase Two focuses on the twelve steps of recovery. Phase Three focuses on an in depth exploration of spirituality. Members in this phase will begin to understand the connection between values, ethics, and morals.

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 of moral reasoning. The program takes approximately six months to complete, but there is no set time frame to 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 is an evidence based program that has shown to significantly lower recidivism rates in offenders.

L.E.A.S.H.

Lead Every Animal Safely Home (L.E.A.S.H.) is a canine rescue and obedience program. This program matches rescued dogs from the Mary Hall Ruddiman K-9 Shelter with inmates incarcerated at WKCC. L.E.A.S.H. is a voluntary program, which gives inmates the chance to learn how to train the dog assigned to them in basic obedience commands. Inmates also learn canine grooming and hygiene techniques. The inmate must share his living space with a dog and kennel. They are responsible for the dog's health and well-being for 90 days, when the animals will hopefully be adopted into a home.

Other Programs

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• New Directions
• In 2 Work
• Anger Management (MRT)
• Parenting for Men (MRT)
• Pathfinders
• Malachi Dads
• Bible College

Pictures of Western Kentucky Correctional Complex

Careers at Western Kentucky Correctional Complex

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