Inmate Programs

A 12-week intense program designed to help inmates overcome addictions through a well-planned curriculum.  Inmates look at their particular problem in a group setting. 

This program is often recommended by the Parole Board in order for inmates to receive help for addictions.

S.T.E.P.-UP (Student / Teen Education Program)is a program to educate children to make right choices. 

Since S.T.E.P.-UP began in February 2000 schools in the surrounding counties have requested this team that includes 1 Correctional Officer and 4 Inmates to speak to their students from grades 5 through 12.

Inmates working in the Water Plant or Waste Water Treatment Plants for 1 year qualify to test for Class I Operators license.  After 2 years they may test again for Class II license.  It is often very difficult for an ex-offender to get employment.  There is a very high demand in these areas across the nation for operators and inmates that have acquired their licenses have been able to retain gainful employment.

BCFC, in partnership with the Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM), offers a program called the "Children’s Book Project." Inmates who have children or grandchildren under the age of 10 are allowed to participate. CCM provides books and cassette tapes. The participants are able to read the children’s book onto the cassette tape. Both the book and tape are then mailed to the child. This program is designed to help the inmate maintain ties with his children and to help the child develop a desire to read.

Inmates that qualify receive special training that permits them to teach illiterate inmates to read.  This program enables inmates that can’t read an opportunity to gain a measure of positive self-esteem that only reading skills can bring.

The AA/NA program is a twelve-step program designed to assist inmates who have had problems with substance abuse. This program is designed to help inmates recognize their problem with substance abuse and to understand the underlying causes that led them to substance abuse.  It also provides the inmates tools to deal with this ongoing problem.

The Kentucky Department of Corrections' Pre-Release Program, also referred to as “Prison to the Streets Program”, is designed for inmates that are as far as 180 days from either Parole or Serve Out.  The program consists of 10 classes.  Each class covers different areas of need in which the inmates may find valuable resources upon release.

In addition to the information that is covered in each class, the inmates also bring needs and concerns that apply to themselves.  These issues are not turned away, but addressed on an individual basis.

G.E.D.

BCFC offers opportunities for our inmates to further their education by pursuing their G.E.D.  Classes are offered for all learning levels, literacy through G.E.D.  These classes are held five days a week in the academic school.  One session is held in the morning and one in the afternoon.  The education program is open entry and open exit, meaning that students may enter and leave the program at any time.  New students are tested to find their strengths and weaknesses and then are able to progress at their own pace toward their final goal.  The students study the five basic fields of the G.E.D. test:  Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics.

Academic School

BCFC offers educational opportunities for those inmates who have institutional jobs during the day.  The evening class is held 2 evenings each week.  Each class lasts approximately 3 hours.  This schedule allows inmates to hold an institutional job as well as further their education.  This class encompasses all levels, literacy or  non-reader, through the G.E.D. levels.  It is open entry, open exit and the students are allowed to progress at their own pace.

College Classes

BCFC offers college classes, which are provided by Southeast Community College in Middlesboro.  These classes are a new endeavor.  The first semester began in the fall of 2003.  The first class was Writing 101.  There has also been a U.S. History class and a Sociology class offered.  One class is offered each semester.  There have been a total of 28 students who have completed at least one college class.  Although many students are not in BCFC long enough to obtain a degree, they are offered the opportunity to take entry-level classes from an accredited institution of higher learning.  These credits can then be transferred to another college in order to complete their degree.