FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 25, 2024) – Department of Corrections (DOC) Commissioner Cookie Crews today announced that Scott Jordan has been named deputy commissioner of adult institutions. Jordan most recently served as warden at the Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP) in Eddyville since 2020.
“Scott Jordan’s extensive experience at multiple prisons makes him an ideal choice for this position,” said Crews. “His hard work, dedication and vision for the future of the department will ensure his success and I look forward to what we can accomplish together.”
Jordan began his DOC career in 2001 as a correctional officer at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women. He was promoted through the security ranks to the position of senior captain, which he held at both Luther Luckett Correctional Complex (LLCC) and the Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR). In 2013, he was promoted to deputy warden at Western Kentucky Correctional Complex and then KSP. Jordan was named warden at the Ross-Cash Center in 2015 and then warden at LLCC in 2016.
Jordan has more than a decade of internal affairs experience, serving as the internal affairs officer at both LLCC and KSR. He was also the security threat group coordinator at LLCC and a member of the department's Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) for several years.
Prior to his time in corrections, Jordan had a lengthy career in retail management. He managed several stores, becoming a district manager and a regional manager developing stores in three states. Jordan is also a combat veteran paratrooper with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division.
During his career Jordan has received several awards and accolades including being named the 2019 Warden of the Year, an annual honor given to a warden who exhibits outstanding job performance and leadership ability.
Jordan replaces Randy White who served in the role for six years before his retirement in November 2023 after nearly 28 years of service. A decorated U.S. Army veteran, White began his DOC career as a correctional officer at Northpoint Training Center in 1996. After a series of promotions across several state prisons, he assumed his first wardenship at Green River Correctional Complex in 2009. In 2012, he was named warden at KSP, serving in that capacity until being named deputy commissioner in 2018.
Under White’s leadership, DOC led the nation as the first prison system to provide and train all staff on the use of Narcan to counteract inmate drug overdoses. He also oversaw the expansion of prison program availability and spearheaded the procurement of inmate tablets and implementation of video visitation. Additionally, he served an instrumental role in assisting in the design of the Little Sandy Correctional Complex expansion and the opening of Southeast State Correctional Complex.
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