FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 16, 2021) – Western Kentucky Correctional Complex (WKCC) 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 1988 and this 99.8% audit score marks the prison’s 11th accreditation in the history of the institution.
WKCC is a medium-security facility located in Fredonia, Kentucky, with an inmate population of 693.
“I am very proud of the WKCC staff,” said Department of Corrections Commissioner Cookie Crews. “Receiving a near perfect score is no small matter. This shows the high level of hard work and dedication of staff to meet ACA’s rigorous standards.”
In announcing the scores, audit chairperson Dana Phillips was especially complimentary of the WKCC staff and the morale of the facility’s inmate population.
“We are proud to have been the team here to audit you,” said Phillips. “Your team, your staff really are living up to the standards. Thank you for making it a good few days for us and congratulations.”
WKCC Warden Bobbi Jo Butts praised her staff for the accomplishment. “I’m so proud of everybody at this institution,” said Butts. “I couldn’t be more proud of all the work that everyone has put into this. Western is a team and we always have been. It has been a tough year coming out of COVID and to receive a 99.8% is not something everyone could do. It’s not my institution, it is our institution and I appreciate each one of you. Keep up the good work. Thank you all.”
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.