FRANKFORT, Ky. - Governor Matt Bevin announced plans to operate a new state-run prison to help deal with overcrowded county jails.

Southeast State Correctional Complex, formerly Otter Creek Correctional Center, is in Wheelwright, Kentucky. The correctional facility has been empty since 2012.  The 650-bed facility will provide space for medium-security inmates.  

The prison will be run by the Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) using the same policies and procedures used in other current state-run facilities.

The 10-year lease agreement with the facility's owner, CoreCivic, allows the DOC to immediately expand while avoiding millions in capital construction costs.  It will also alleviate the backlog of inmates in county jails waiting to enter a state prison.

“The lease of the Southeast State facility will allow us to simultaneously address overcrowding in our prison system while being smart with state resources,” said Gov. Bevin. “The lack of available beds in our state facilities is placing a growing strain on the corrections system and preventing those currently incarcerated from receiving programming and treatment that will allow them to successfully reenter society once their time has been served. I appreciate the stellar efforts of our Justice and Personnel cabinets as they have worked together to develop this innovative solution. Today’s announcement will allow us to move forward quickly in opening the facility and hiring the local workforce necessary to staff it. This is a great day for Kentucky and for Floyd, Knott and surrounding counties."

DOC expects to hire as many as 200 new employees to work in the prison.  Recruitment efforts will be focused on the local community and surrounding areas.  Career fairs are planned throughout Eastern Kentucky beginning Monday, October 21. 

Kentucky's inmate population is close to 24,000 offenders.  According to the Governor's office, close to half of those inmantes are in county jails and are required to stay in county facilities under state law. As a result, county jails and state prisons are overcrowded.

Southeast State will offer education, vocational training, and drug treatment opportunities, which are similar programs offered at other state-run prisons.