Hatton began her corrections career in 2004 as a classification and treatment officer (CTO) at WKCC. She has held numerous positions and duties at the prison in her 11-year career including CTO Senior, unit administrator II, trainer for the department's offender management system (KOMS) and trainer of the risk assessment tool. During this time she also served as the prison's grievance coordinator and oversaw the prison's special management unit. In addition, she was in charge of the Inmate Services Building that houses legal services, property, intake and other key areas for the inmate population.

Hatton is a graduate of the Commissioner's Executive Leadership Program, a recipient of the 2008 Achievement Award for WKCC and a 2012 participant in Achieving Performance Excellence (APEX) training. In 2014 she became a certified corrections program auditor.

Hatton is a 2002 graduate of Murray State University.