A message from Commissioner Cookie Crews
Department of Corrections is announcing new leadership at three prisons. These include appointing Abigail Caudill as warden of Northpoint Training Center, Jesse Stack as warden at Blackburn Correctional Complex and Josh Hart as interim warden at Bell County Forestry Camp.
“This group of leaders bring years of experience to the position and are focused on enhancing public safety, securing facilities and reducing recidivism. I am honored to serve alongside a great team and appreciate their dedication to being the best.” – Commissioner Crews
Abigail Caudill has been appointed warden of Northpoint Training Center.
Abigail Caudill began her career in 1998 as a correctional officer at the Kentucky State Reformatory, and then transferred to Roederer Correctional Complex (RCC). In 2000 she was promoted to classification and treatment officer for the Assessment Center at RCC.
Later in 2000, Caudill transferred to Probation and Parole, serving as a probation and parole officer in multiple counties. In 2005 she went back to RCC managing the minimum-security unit and the substance abuse program. In 2006 she promoted to unit administrator I and in 2007 to unit administrator II. In 2012 she promoted to program administrator for the Assessment Center at RCC.
In 2015, Caudill was promoted to deputy warden at Blackburn Correctional Complex. During her time there, she has overseen programs/operations and security. In 2020, she was named acting warden, and then in 2021 she was appointed as warden.
Caudill was one of the original master trainers for the department’s case management tool and served as an institutional trainer for the offender management system. In 2014 she earned her certification as an auditor for the Prison Rape Elimination Act. She is a member of the Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency. Caudill served as president from 2016-17 and has served on the state board as the membership chair/assistant to the treasurer.
A 1998 graduate of Murray State University, Caudill is a graduate of the 2012 Commissioner’s Leadership Program and served as a mentor in 2023.
Jesse Stack has been appointed warden of Blackburn Correctional Complex.
Jesse Stack began his career with DOC in 2004 as a correctional officer at the Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR). In 2005 he was promoted to classification and treatment officer and in 2007 was again promoted to corrections unit administrator.
In 2009 Stack transferred to Luther Luckett Correctional Complex (LLCC), where he initially worked in the pre-release office. In 2010, Stack was promoted to corrections unit administrator II where he managed an honor dorm, the substance abuse program and inmate orientation. Stack also served as the public information officer for LLCC and as an instructor for the “I-LEAD” regional leadership program.
In 2014 he promoted to deputy warden at LLCC and oversaw programs, operations, and security. In 2018, he became the deputy warden in charge of security at KSR and then acting warden in 2022 for four months, handling all responsibilities and job duties of the warden position.
A 2003 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Stack is also a graduate of the Commissioner's Executive Leadership Program.
Josh Hart has been appointed interim warden of Bell County Forestry Camp.
Josh Hart began his career in corrections in 2008 at Bell County Forestry Camp (BCFC) as a recreation leader. In 2013, he was detailed as an administrative specialist III and promoted to that position in 2014. There he served as ACA accreditation manager, institutional training coordinator, grievance coordinator, Prison Rape Elimination Act investigator and compliance manager.
In November 2014, Hart promoted again to classification and treatment officer II. In addition to supervising numerous areas including inmate work programs, inmate work details, and inmate orientation, Hart also served as the transfer coordinator and reentry coordinator.
Hart promoted to unit administrator I in 2018 and implemented the use of the unit concept at BCFC. In 2019, he was detailed to acting deputy warden where he supervised security, classification, recreation, medical, and Aramark. In 2020, Hart was formally named deputy warden.
He has been a Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) member since 2010 and served as the CNT leader from 2015 to 2020. He also received his National Institute of Corrections audit certification and Department of Justice PREA auditor certification.
A 1988 graduate of Bowling Green State University, Hart received his bachelor's degree in sports management and administration. He is a 2015 graduate of the Commissioner's Executive Leadership Program. Hart is a recipient of a 2010 Achievement Award and a 2014 Commissioner's Award.