The Correctional Psychiatric Treatment Unit (CPTU) was constructed in response to the ever-increasing number of mentally ill inmates within the Kentucky Department of Corrections. The Correctional Psychiatric Treatment Unit is located within the Kentucky State Reformatory, in LaGrange, Kentucky.

Initially staff positions were established for 3 psychiatrists, 7 psychologists, 9 offender rehabilitation specialists, 2 recreation leaders, 1 recreation supervisor, 2 caseworkers, 1 caseworker supervisor and 24 hour nursing staff, security staff and support staff. CPTU opened and accepted the first inmate on September 1, 1998. There are one hundred fifty rooms, divided into three wings.

When CPTU opened, approximately 15 inmates came from the Kentucky State Penitentiary at Eddyville and approximately 80 came from the Segregation Unit at Kentucky State Reformatory. New admissions are now received from other jails and prisons throughout the state. Inmates who reside in general population dormitories within the Reformatory are also admitted when they need to have their medication regimen changed, or when their condition has exacerbated due to physical or psychosocial stressors.

One fifty-bed wing at the CPTU is designated for inmates who are being evaluated or whose behavior has become unpredictable. "Unpredictable" behavior may range from symptoms of psychosis or acute depression to self-abusive behavior related to personality disorders. Inmates who are acting out are placed in one of ten cells that contain video cameras, which can be monitored from a central control center.

Inmates are also monitored at five or fifteen-minute intervals by specially trained correctional officers.

The remaining two wings in CPTU are treatment oriented structured living areas. The majority of inmates in the two treatment wings have diagnoses such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and/or Schizoaffective Disorder. Many may have reduced intellectual functioning, and/or various personality disorders.

Each inmate participates in daily group therapy. Besides planned daily recreational activities, many of the treatment program inmates hold jobs within the unit. Our treatment program stresses participation in therapeutic activities and compliance with psychotropic medications.

One expectation for inmates who graduate from the CPTU program is that they should be able to gradually move to a less restrictive environment. This process begins when they are given the opportunity to leave the unit unsupervised for up to two hours each day. Upon graduating from the CPTU treatment program, inmates may be admitted to the Dorm 7 Transitional Living Unit (TLU).

Established in January 1999, the Sex Offender Risk Assessment Unit performed duties contained in the statutory requirements of KRS 17.552-17.578 (HB 455), Kentucky's version of Megan's Law. The unit's original mission included the goals of conducting Sex Offender Risk Assessments and coordinating the dissemination of infractions regarding risk levels.

On April 11, 2000, the Governor signed new legislation (SB 263) under an emergency enactment that amended the original Megan's Law. This bill amendment removed the requirement for the court to order a post-conviction sex offender risk assessment, hold a risk assessment hearing, or make a risk level determination. Currently, the length of registration and public notification depends on the specific crime committed by the offender.

The Sex Offender Risk Assessment (SORA) Unit is responsible for conducting court ordered Comprehensive Sex Offender Presentence Evaluations as required by KRS 532.050. These evaluations shall address the risk of recommitting a sex crime by the offender, the threat posed to public safety, amenability to sex offender treatment, and the nature of the required sex offender treatment. These evaluations are based upon, but not limited to, the criminal history, nature of the offense, conditions of release that minimize risk, physical conditions that minimize risk, psychological or psychiatric profiles; recent behavior that indicates an increased risk of recommitting a sex crime; recent threats or gestures against persons or expressions of an intent to commit additional offenses; and a review of the victim impact statement.

As its primary goal, the Sex Offender Risk Assessment Unit conducts court-ordered Comprehensive Sex Offender Presentence Evaluations with thoroughness, impartiality, and in accordance with scientific principles and knowledge. In addition, the unit coordinates and presents Sex Offender Risk Assessment Advisory Board (SORAAB) -sponsored training's, produces research in collaboration with local universities, and trains practicum students.

The Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Programs within the Division of Mental Health oversees the operations of four, six-month (minimum) residential substance abuse treatment programs. Three programs are located in medium-security facilities, including one program for incarcerated females (i.e., Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, Green River Correctional Complex, Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women). The fourth program is housed in a minimum-security prison (Marion Adjustment Center). Each program is based on a modified Therapeutic Community (TC) model of treatment. TCs have been shown to be one of the most powerful tools available to curb drug and alcohol abuse and the crime associated with it. They are highly structured, intensive programs that utilize peer influence to alter the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors associated with drug use. Through a variety of group processes, individuals learn and assimilate social norms and more effective social skills. Utilizing the community as method, participants are expected to assume responsibility for their behavior and assist their peers in making changes by demanding high levels of commitment and accountability. A total of 390 treatment beds are available in these programs.

Addiction and dependence are the result of biological, psychological, and social phenomena. Treatment addresses each of these factors and is based on current scientific principles and knowledge. Major components of treatment are Relapse Prevention and correcting criminal thinking errors that lead to poor judgment and decision-making. Life skills training and stress management are also important components of the curriculum. Education regarding the nature of addiction and abuse, and exposure to the 12-steps of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous as a method of managing chemical dependency are included. A variety of interventions (e.g., didactic instruction, group process, role play, rehearsal, therapeutic tasks) are used to help the drug/alcohol-involved offender: 1) accept responsibility for his/her past, present, and future behaviors, 2) achieve insight into the origins of his/her substance-abusive and criminal behavior, 3) learn healthier ways of living, and 4) provide meaningful experiences in helping others.

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that the provision of aftercare services after release from incarceration is critical to treatment success and reduced recidivism. Aftercare helps create a seamless transition from prison to community, especially for parolees. Therefore, linkages with community-based treatment agencies and local Probation & Parole offices throughout the state have been established to assist clients in building a strong and lasting roadway to recovery.

Earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor Stephen Pence impaneled a 51-member committee to serve on the Statewide Drug Control Summit Assessment and examine the extent of substance abuse and substance abuse treatment in the Commonwealth.  Representatives from law enforcement, prevention and education, and treatment were charged with assessing gaps in services, duplication of services, programs, and treatment needs across the state.  Central to the assessment process was the scheduling of sixteen public input meetings throughout Kentucky for committee members to hear about these issues firsthand from persons in recovery, family members, educators, treatment providers, law enforcement, faith-based leaders, business leaders, and others.

The Summit represents the most comprehensive, collaborative, and systemic assessment process ever undertaken in Kentucky. Findings from the public input meetings and detailed questionnaires submitted by thousands of concerned individuals will be used to make substantive recommendations to the Governor’s Office for the purpose of developing a comprehensive statewide drug control strategy.

On any given day, at least sixty percent of Kentucky’s incarcerated population suffers from substance abuse or dependency. The Department of Corrections is responding to the growing number of offenders who need treatment by significantly expanding its residential alcohol and other drug abuse treatment programs.  The newest program is slated to begin operations in early July at the Roederer Correctional Complex (RCC). Each of its current TC programs and programs in development are committed to employing the most up-to-date and effective treatment strategies to reduce relapse and recidivism. Treatment teams composed of security and treatment personnel, correctional administrators, trained volunteers, and peer counselors working together on a daily basis are the foundation of these programs. Unity, collaboration, and a seamless transition from institution to community are their hallmarks. The Office of AODA Programs welcomes all correctional employees interested in becoming a part of the team to contact any of the programs at RCC, Luther Luckett Correctional Complex, Green River Correctional Complex, Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women, or Marion Adjustment Center to discuss their interest.