Kentucky Department of Corrections Commissioner Jim Erwin today announced that Aaron Smith has been named director of the department’s Correctional Industries Division.
Smith is a 23-year veteran of DOC and he served as warden of the Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR) for four years before his most recent appointment.
“Aaron Smith has provided highly effective leadership for the Kentucky State Reformatory and its many unique challenges,” said Commissioner Erwin. “We are eager to have him assume the new role of oversight of Kentucky Correctional Industries. I am fully confident that he will quickly enhance the reentry mission within the traditional industry environment.”
Prior to coming to DOC, Smith worked for five years with the Cabinet for Human Resources (currently the Cabinet for Health and Family Services), in the Child Protective Services Department.
Smith began his career in corrections in 1993 as a probation and parole officer in Jefferson County. He transferred to KSR as a classification and treatment officer and quickly rose through the ranks. He has held the positions of institutional parole officer at two prisons, unit administrator, deputy warden at Roederer Correctional Complex and KSR, program administrator in the Contract Management Branch, and branch manager for Adult Institutions.
“I am very appreciative to have the opportunity to take on this new and exciting role with Kentucky Correctional Industries,” said Smith. “I look forward to being a part of carrying on the KCI tradition of excellent service and workmanship while also expanding even further the department’s progressive reentry mission.”
A native and lifelong resident of Oldham County, Smith is a graduate of the University of Louisville where he attended on an athletic scholarship.