FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 6, 2021) – Kentucky Department of Corrections Deputy Commissioner Randy White today announced that James Back has been promoted to deputy warden of security at Southeast State Correctional Complex (SSCC) in Floyd County. His promotion is effective May 16.
“Back is uniquely qualified to fill the role of deputy warden of security and will help lead us into the future,” said White. “His career has included several demanding institutional positions making him very knowledgeable of prison operations.”
Back began his career with the Department of Corrections in 2003 as a correctional officer at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. He promoted through the security ranks as sergeant, lieutenant and captain. In 2016, he transferred to Luther Luckett Correctional Complex as shift captain before being promoted to administrative captain and eventually serving as major.
Transferring to SSCC in August 2020, Back was instrumental in opening the new facility. The following October, he promoted to correctional unit manager II. In this role, he began managing the 240-bed general population dorm and the Restrictive Housing Unit.
Back completed FBI hostage negotiation training in 2012 and train the trainer in 2019. In addition, Back is a trained firearms instructor and PREA investigator.