FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2021) – Department of Corrections Compliance Director John Dunn announced today that Jessica Payton has been promoted to contract management supervisor in the department’s Compliance Office.
“Jessica Payton’s background makes her the perfect choice for leading the contract management area, which will oversee all the Recovery Kentucky and Reentry Service Centers,” said Dunn. “She has held a myriad of positions since her employment with the department and has excelled in every one of them. She will bring a solid foundation to this new role.”
Payton started her career in 2012 as a correctional officer at Marion Adjustment Center (MAC) and was later promoted to case manager. While at MAC, Payton served on the Special Operations Response Team. In 2013, after the closure of the facility, Payton began her career with the Department of Corrections as a correctional officer at Northpoint Training Center (NTC). Later the same year she promoted to a classification and treatment officer.
In 2017, Payton promoted to a program administrator in the Classification Branch located in Central Office. The next year, she returned to NTC as the administrative section supervisor. In this position, she served as the PREA compliance manager, transfer coordinator, ADA/HOH coordinator, public information officer, and volunteer coordinator.
Payton received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and master’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix. She is a 2014 graduate of the Northpoint Future Leaders Program and a graduate of the 2018-2019 Commissioner’s Executive Leadership Program.