Kentucky Correctional Industries reports surplus, outlines sentence‑credit payouts and job programs

Hillary Daley, deputy commissioner of support services for the Kentucky Department of Corrections, told the House Committee on Justice, Public Safety and Judiciary subcommittee that Kentucky Correctional Industries (KCI) is operating 15 industries across 11 institutions and employing more than 400 incarcerated people and 37 department staff.

Daley said KCI — "established in 1954" and described by her as the department’s longest‑running reentry program — includes four farms and plant operations that produce clothing, license plates, furniture, embroidery, metal work and other products. "Employing over 400 inmates and 37 department staff, KCI operates 15 industries in 11 of our institutions," Daley said.

The deputy commissioner told the committee that, through Jan. 31, KCI’s expenditures were about $5.8 million and that the program’s revenues were roughly $1 million greater than expenditures to date. She said most KCI funds are restricted and that the General Assembly provided a modest general‑fund appropriation this fiscal year. "We…