Beckstrom began his career in 1977 as a correctional officer at the Kentucky State Reformatory. He worked there for eight years in a variety of positions including Correctional Lieutenant and Classification and Treatment Officer. In 1985 he transferred to Northpoint Training Center (NTC) and was promoted to Unit Administrator II and subsequently promoted to Correctional Senior Captain in 1989. He served at NTC until his promotion to Deputy Warden in 1992. Beckstrom served as EKCC’s Deputy Warden of Security for 11 years before his promotion to warden of the state’s newest prison, the Little Sandy Correctional Complex in Elliot County, in 2003. He retired from the Department in 2007 but was called upon due to his expertise and security background to serve as a monitor at the private prison in Wheelwright, Ky. In 2010 he was again appointed to Deputy Warden at EKCC a position he held until his appointment as Warden.
During his career, Beckstrom has received several awards including honors for Outstanding Merit, Distinguished Service (DSA), Continuing Excellence (ACE) and Supervisor of the Month.
Beckstrom earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Spaulding University with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology and an associate degree in sociology from Jefferson Community College.