Department of Corrections Breaks Ground to Expand Little Sandy Correctional Complex, Enhance Public Safety

Prison expansion to create more than 160 new jobs in Elliott County, transition inmates out of reformatory with aging infrastructure

SANDY HOOK, Ky. (Nov. 28, 2022) – To continue creating a safer Kentucky, leaders of the Department of Corrections joined Gov. Andy Beshear’s senior advisor, Rocky Adkins, and local officials to break ground on the expansion of Little Sandy Correctional Complex (LSCC), which will create 166 new jobs.

The primary goal of the expansion is to transition inmates from the Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR) in LaGrange. This is the first step toward closing KSR due to the prison’s significant aging infrastructure and staffing challenges. Upon completion, LSCC will be the second-largest state prison in the commonwealth, housing 1,882 male inmates.

“Every day the Beshear-Coleman administration is creating a better, safer Kentucky for future generations,” said Adkins. “Kentucky’s economy is booming, and we have created the largest job growth ever in the commonwealth’s history. And we are here today creating more good-paying jobs in a community that is ready to work to support themselves and their families and to grow the county.”

“We are very pleased that not only does this expansion fill a need for the department, but it will also create a variety of good jobs for residents in the surrounding communities,” said DOC Commissioner Cookie Crews. “We appreciate the support of the Governor and all those involved in making this expansion possible.”

Currently, LSCC is responsible for the safety and security of 976 inmates. The expansion of LSCC will include two new buildings mirroring the prison’s existing housing units with an open dorm concept. Included in the expansion will be electronic security measures, perimeter detection and camera system upgrades.

Larry Chandler retired as warden of LSCC in September after 33 years of service to Kentucky’s criminal justice system. Chandler originally designed the prison when it opened in 2005, and he played a significant role in the design stages for the prison’s expansion.

“Twenty-two years ago, the state started looking for a site to build a prison,” said Chandler. “A design and build team traveled Kentucky looking at possible sites, and now we are building Little Sandy with the infrastructure to house our aging inmates as well as those with medical and mental health issues.”

The 2022-2023 fiscal year state budget includes over $114.3 million for the expansion.

Beshear-Coleman Administration Commitment to Reducing Recidivism

In November, the Governor announced two new programs aimed at boosting workforce participation by helping the justice-involved population who have paid their debt to society and are leaving prison to find meaningful employment. The administration is partnering with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to launch the Prison-to-Work Pipeline at all 13 state prisons and 19 local jails that house state inmates. Businesses located throughout Kentucky’s 120 counties will virtually interview inmates with the goal of the inmate being offered a start date before returning to society.

At the time of the announcement, Gov. Beshear said, “To support our booming economy, fuel our workforce and reduce the chances of someone returning to prison, those transitioning out of prison need a good-paying job.”

The administration also launched a statewide project that provides transportation to former inmates so they can get to addiction treatment, job interviews, education and employment. The program currently helps nearly 50,000 Kentuckians. Barriers to reentry have also been removed by tasking DOC to issue employability certificates to those who successfully complete programs while incarcerated.

For those suffering from addiction, in September 2021, Gov. Beshear announced the commonwealth had launched a new initiative to help employers address addiction, boost hiring and retention and support employees in the workplace.

On his third day in office, Gov. Beshear restored voting rights to Kentuckians who had completed their sentences for nonviolent, nonsexual offenses. Now more than 187,000 Kentuckians’ rights have been restored.