​Bobbi Jo Butts began her career with the department in February 2010 as a correctional officer at WKCC. She was promoted to WKCC's first accountant IV in 2011 and in 2012 was promoted to classification and treatment officer. She was promoted again in 2013 to unit administrator I and in 2014, she participated in a staff rotation at the Kentucky State Penitentiary. In 2015 she was promoted to unit administrator II and was instrumental in the conversion of the Ross-Cash Center to a separate institution and the conversion back to a unit at WKCC. Butts served as deputy warden at Green River Correctional Complex since 2018 until her promotion to Warden at WKCC in 2020.

Butts has served as a facilitator for Thinking for a Change and has overseen a multitude of other programs. She has served as WKCC's KOMS liaison, public information officer, and the Ross-Cash grievance coordinator. She has also served as classification chairperson, adjustment chairperson, and as a member of the WKCC Crisis Negotiation Team. Additionally, she is a certified eClinical Works trainer for the department.

A member of the Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency (KCCD), Butts has served terms as president and treasurer for the Four Rivers Chapter. She is a graduate of the Commissioner's Executive Leadership Program and a 2016 Achievement Award recipient. She earned her bachelor's degree in business management from Mid-Continent University.