The Kentucky Department of Corrections (KDOC) is a state government agency responsible for overseeing the confinement and rehabilitation of individuals who have been sentenced or incarcerated for criminal offenses committed in Kentucky. The agency’s mission is to protect the citizens of Kentucky by ensuring the safety and security of the general public, staff, and offenders through effective management and supervision of those under correctional custody. KDOC operates 12 state-run correctional facilities located across the Commonwealth of Kentucky that house more than 23,000 male and female offenders. These facilities include both maximum and minimum-security prisons, boot camps, and halfway houses. In addition to incarceration, KDOC also administers programs to assist offenders with addiction, mental health issues, and education and job training programs to aid their reentry into society. KDOC is led by a commissioner who is appointed by the governor of Kentucky and approved by the state senate. The agency’s budget is determined by the state legislature and is funded by taxpayer dollars. With approximately 5,000 staff members, KDOC is one of the largest state agencies in Kentucky. The agency works closely with other state agencies, local law enforcement, and non-profit organizations to achieve its goal of reducing recidivism and promoting public safety.