Kentucky Corrections Commissioner Kathleen Kenney today announced that the Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP) in Eddyville received a near-perfect score on its re-accreditation audit from the American Correctional Association (ACA). The prison achieved a total score of 99%.
Auditors toured the prison over a two-day period, interacting with staff and inmates and reviewing files. They praised the way accreditation encompasses all aspects of operation, calling it “the fabric of this institution.” They also commended the excellent condition of the prison despite its age and maintenance obstacles.
“Kentucky State Penitentiary is the oldest adult institution in the state, and with that comes many unique challenges,” said Kenney. “I am very impressed with the staff achieving this outstanding score and know they will continue their excellent work beyond this audit as well.”
The prison’s transition unit program also received recognition from the auditors.
“This program is excellent and I would recommend a presentation of this program to ACA,” said Audit Chair David Eberhard, a Corrections professional from Arkansas. “It is apparent you all have a passion for your jobs and it shows.”
Auditor Leonard George from Texas said KSP was unlike other penitentiaries he’d audited.
“There is normally a stiffness in the air (of penitentiaries), but here I felt welcomed and I felt safe,” said George. “The individuals I interacted with were knowledgeable and professional.”
The third auditor was Nina Dororetz of New Mexico and she also praised the dedication and passion of staff.
“It was obvious to the auditors that KSP staff care about the facility and the inmates in our custody,” said Warden DeEdra Hart. “The dedication, compassion and determination of staff is evident and present not just during the audit process, but throughout the daily operations of the institution.”
The Kentucky State Penitentiary re-accreditation audit was a multi-faceted examination of every aspect within the prison. It consisted of more than 527 standards that covered security, procedures, training and record keeping regarding offenders. The audit process requires constant monitoring and quality control checks. All Kentucky DOC prisons are accredited and all undergo a re-accreditation audit by ACA every three years and an inter-departmental audit every year.