At the Harlan County Detention Center (HCDC) we do more than just house inmates, we create positive changes in offender's lives. Those in our care can take advantage of a host of programming aimed at changing their behavior and making our communities safer once the offender is released. Most offenders we serve will someday find their way back into our communities. It is the responsibility of HCDC to not only provide for the safety of the communities we serve while the offenders in custody, but to also create a safer community once the offender is released from custody. Programs offered at HCDC are consistently shown to be among the best in changing offender's behavior. Treatment is matched to the offender using the most validated standardized testing instruments available; allowing offenders to get the treatment services they need to become productive citizens.

OFFERED AT CURRENT FACILITY
Inmate Work Release | Alcohol & Drug | Moral Reconnation Therapy

TO BE OFFERED AT NEW FACILITY
GED | Anger Management | Pre-Release Training | Turning Point
Community Outreach | Supporting Research
INMATE WORK RELEASE

The inmate work release programs allow the offender to develop a valuable work ethic while also providing useful, cost saving, services to the community. The inmates are allowed to provide community service to the community in exchange for working their way toward early release. They work their way out of the program through good behavior, public service, and hard work.

Benefits

  • Development of a strong work ethic.
  • Cutting costs to the community for work they would otherwise have to pay for.
  • Development of vocational skills needed to provide such services.
  • Gives the offender a chance to give back to the community they hurt.
  • Allows an opportunity for community healing.
  • Sets up a system where by the offenders gains a sense of responsibility by working their own way out. (They got themselves into jail; they now have to work themselves out.)

Program Philosophy
Research has shown many links to crime, among the strongest found today is an inability of offenders to find and keep gainful employment. This causes the individual to all to often turn back to crime to support their lifestyles. The Harlan County Detention Center is dedicated to making offenders better people. In keeping with this noble goal, the inmate worker release program builds the skills and mentality needed for offenders to become productive members of society.