FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 11, 2024) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and Department of Corrections Commissioner Cookie Crews announce the appointments of several prison wardens and deputy wardens, effective immediately.
“Thank you to Governor Beshear’s support of our leadership staff and confidence in them to lead this department into the future," said Commissioner Crews. “This team of experienced, veteran leaders have the knowledge and know-how to keep our prisons and communities safe, while rehabilitating the justice-involved population. By reducing recidivism, we are creating a new Kentucky home for future generations to build a family and successful career.”
Shawn McKenzie has been appointed warden of Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex.
McKenzie began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1996 as a classification and treatment officer at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC). In 2004, he was promoted to correction unit administrator I at the facility, overseeing the operations and control of the unit and helping to expand the programs available to inmates.
In 2008, he was promoted to unit administrator II, supervising all unit administrator I and security staff throughout his unit. McKenzie also assisted with opening the first reentry dormitory at EKCC and was the work program director for the institution for nine years.
McKenzie has served as the deputy warden of operations and deputy warden of programs at EKCC. Serving in both positions has provided McKenzie with valuable experience learning many areas of institutional management. McKenzie was appointed Warden at the Little Sandy Correctional Complex in July 2022.
“I am pleased for the opportunity to be able to return to the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, the largest institution in the state and the place that I have called home for 26 years,” Warden McKenzie said. “Eastern has always had a specific mission, and I am proud to be able to continue with that mission.”
Ivan Krow has been appointed warden of Little Sandy Correctional Complex.
Krow began his career in 2008 as a correctional officer at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC) in West Liberty. He was promoted to sergeant in 2011 and promoted again to lieutenant in 2012. Krow then worked in the institution's Internal Affairs department before being promoted to captain in 2015.
While at EKCC, Krow served on the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) for over eight years and held the position of squad leader from 2010 to 2016.
In 2017, Krow transferred to Little Sandy Correctional Complex (LSCC) and became the facility's first safety coordinator. He also held the position of PREA compliance manager for the institution. Krow was officially promoted to major at LSCC in 2019 after having been specially detailed to the position for six months. He was promoted to Deputy Warden in April 2020.
Krow served as Interim Warden at Southeast State Correctional Complex from February 2024 until May, when he returned to Little Sandy Correctional Complex to serve as Interim Warden.
“I am thrilled to be able to return to the Little Sandy Correctional Complex as Warden,” said Warden Krow. “I look forward to continuing the ongoing work that is taking place at LSCC with the expansion and providing opportunities to assist our offenders with work and programs to become productive citizens.”
David Bradley has been appointed acting warden of Southeast State Correctional Complex.
Bradley began his career with the department as a classification and treatment officer at LSCC in 2005. In 2007 he transferred to Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC) and in 2013 he was promoted to unit administrator. He was promoted again in 2016 to unit administrator II before being assigned to oversee the Restrictive Housing Unit. Bradley was also in charge of the Reentry Preparation Dormitory at EKCC where he worked closely with inmates nearing the end of their sentences. most recently, Bradley served as branch manager in the Division of Education beginning in October 2018 until he was promoted to Deputy Warden in July 2019.
It was an honor to be asked to take on the role as the acting Warden at Southeast State Correctional Complex. With over 19 years of correctional experience in various roles within the Department of Corrections, it is my goal to keep moving SSCC forward and to have a positive impact on the staff, inmates and maintain ties with the community,” said Acting Warden Bradley.
Laura Plappert has been appointed warden of Kentucky State Penitentiary.
Plappert has served as deputy warden at Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP) since February 2021. She was first promoted to deputy warden in October 2019 and originally served in that role at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex (LLCC).
She began her career in 2003 as a correctional officer at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC). She was promoted to sergeant there in 2005. In 2007, she promoted to lieutenant at LLCC and promoted again in 2010 to captain. Four years later, she promoted to unit administrator I at Roederer Correctional Complex (RCC). In 2016, she transferred back to LLCC and promoted to unit administrator II in 2018 where she acted as the transfer coordinator.
A Crisis Negotiation Team member at both RCC and LLCC, Plappert has also served as the institutional team leader for LLCC.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be the warden at the Kentucky State Penitentiary,” Warden Plappert said. “I am so excited to continue working at such a unique prison that has such an interesting history. I am honored to be part of Team Kentucky and I look forward to carrying out the penitentiary’s mission.”
Lauren Massey has been appointed deputy warden of Kentucky State Penitentiary.
Massey began her career in 2012 as a probation and parole officer in District 2. During her time with the Division of Probation and Parole, Massey oversaw a specialty caseload consisting of sexual offenders. In 2017, she transferred to Green River Correctional Complex as a classification and treatment officer and later transferred again to Kentucky State Penitentiary in the same capacity. The next year Massey promoted to social service clinician to oversee the Restrictive Housing Transition Program. In 2020 Massey promoted to unit administrator I and then to unit administrator II in 2022. As a unit administrator she has managed general population, restrictive housing, special security unit, and the minimum-security unit at KSP. During her career, Massey has served has a field training officer, DNA trainer, firearms instructor, transfer coordinator, ADA coordinator and grievance coordinator.
“I am excited to have earned the opportunity to become Deputy Warden at the Kentucky State Penitentiary. I look forward to continuing to serve the Department of Corrections and the community in this capacity,” said Deputy Warden Massey.
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