FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 23, 2021) – The Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW) received a near perfect audit score on its recent re-accreditation audit with the American Correctional Association (ACA). The prison received its initial accreditation in 1983 and this 99.8% audit score marks the prison’s 14th accreditation in the history of the institution.
KCIW is a multi-custody security facility located in Pewee Valley with an inmate population of 733.
“It is no small feat to attain such a high score,” said Corrections Commissioner Cookie Crews. “I commend the KCIW staff for doing such an excellent job, especially during such a challenging few months.”
In announcing the scores, Audit Chairperson Kyle Poppert noted that the camaraderie amongst KCIW staff was evident. Poppert is retired from the Nebraska Department of Corrections.
“It has been my privilege to be your chairperson,” said Poppert. “You have a wonderful facility. We were very impressed by the cleanliness and with your staff who work here. Staff here take a lot of personal pride and ownership of their jobs and their duties. I would work here in a heartbeat. We were treated wonderfully and have had a lot of people answer all of our questions. You made us feel very welcome here and I appreciate that.”
Warden Vanessa Kennedy praised her staff for the accomplishment. “This last audit period has been like no other. The challenges that our staff have faced over this audit period, while maintaining the excellent standards, demonstrates the dedication and determination of our amazing staff.”
This ACA accreditation consisted of approximately 573 standards that covered security, operational and programming aspects of the prison. Each of Kentucky’s prisons are audited by ACA every three years and have a program security review every year. Kentucky has been a member of ACA since the early 1980s.