More than 30 Kentucky Department of Corrections workers were caught having sex with inmates behind bars over a 16-month period, while others were found trafficking drugs and weapons.
A shocking investigation of Herald Leader revealed 59 cases of sexual crimes between employees and inmates in the last five years, of which 35 cases involved possible criminal charges.
Most recently, Amanda Kulka, 42, was charged with third-degree sodomy earlier this month for allegedly having a sexual relationship with an inmate half her age.
The inmate, who has not been identified, was serving a long sentence for robbery, assault and robbery, according to the outlet.
Meanwhile, at least 14 other people were caught trafficking drugs such as suboxone and methamphetamine into prisons in exchange for money. One officer faced charges for carrying a gun.
More than 30 workers, including Trista Fox (left) and Amanda Kulka (right) from the Kentucky Department of Corrections, were caught having sex with inmates behind bars over a 16-month period, while others were found trafficking drugs and weapons .
Meanwhile, at least 14 other people were caught trafficking drugs such as suboxone and methamphetamine into prisons in exchange for money. One officer faced charges for carrying a gun. Pictured: Cynthia Kosman (left) and JMichael E. Collins (right), both charged with promoting smuggling.
A shocking investigation by the Herald-Leader revealed 59 cases of sexual crimes between employees and inmates in the last five years, of which 35 cases involved possible criminal charges. Pictured: Kentucky State Penitentiary
A total of 62 employees were fired or resigned at 13 state prisons and one minimum-security prison camp, which together house more than 11,300 inmates.
Experts say problems in Kentucky state prisons go beyond inappropriate relationships or contraband, and the same applies to correctional facilities across the country.
“Being a correctional officer is a very challenging job,” said Judah Schept, associate professor at Eastern Kentucky University’s School of Justice Studies.
“In the popular imagination, we think that these jobs are exposed to extreme forms of violence and, of course, that can happen,” he said.
“But more often I think what you’re dealing with are mundane daily tasks, being unappreciated, underpaid and feeling isolated and overworked. Given where you work, this can cause some problems,” Schept said.
DailyMail.com was able to identify and photograph at least eight prison officers accused of rape, sodomy or sexual assault in recent years.
In a federal lawsuit filed last year, Todd Steven Boyce, 56, was accused of sexually abusing an inmate in multiple ways between March and July 2022. Corrections officials were apparently aware of his behaviors but were not They made no effort to stop him.
Todd Steven Boyce, 56, was accused of sexually abusing an inmate in multiple ways between March and July 2022. Corrections officials were apparently aware of his behaviors but made no effort to stop him.
A total of 62 employees were fired or resigned at 13 state prisons and one minimum-security prison camp, which together house more than 11,300 inmates. Pictured: Joshua Rogers (left) charged with third-degree sodomy and Demar Jones (right) charged with sexual abuse.
Experts said guards at Kentucky state prisons did not maintain adequate distance from inmates, which ultimately led to the chaos. Pictured: Danny Ford (left) and Kyla Tillman (right), both charged with promoting smuggling.
Boyce, who was then the head chaplain at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and is awaiting trial later this year.
“Boyce bragged to Plaintiff that other inmates had previously accused him of sexual abuse and that nothing happened to him, so no one would believe Plaintiff if he reported him,” the lawsuit alleges.
In a different case, Trista Fox, 39, was charged with third-degree rape in December 2022 after a fellow prisoner caught her having sex with an inmate at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Lyon County.
That same year, Cynthia Kosman, a former Metro Corrections officer, was arrested for allegedly working with inmates and others outside the jail to smuggle drugs into the facility.
She was suspended and then turned herself in. Last year, she was charged with official misconduct, promoting contraband and conspiracy to promote contraband.
Experts said guards at Kentucky state prisons did not maintain adequate distance from inmates, which ultimately led to the chaos.
‘Staff have complete control over inmates’ lives. They decide whether they give you more toilet paper or toothpaste or not,” said James Wells, a prison and jail consultant and former Ohio corrections officer.
“If you’re in an environment where you have nothing to deal with except your body when you’re dealing with people who have all the power, then you might be forced to do things that you normally wouldn’t do,” he said.
Experts say problems in Kentucky state prisons go beyond inappropriate relationships or contraband, and the same applies to correctional facilities across the country. Pictured: Tanya V. Risinger (left) and Irvin D. Ware (right)
In a 10-minute interview with the outlet, Department of Corrections leaders declined to answer questions about sexual misconduct and contraband being smuggled behind state prison walls.
To make matters worse, the Kentucky Department of Corrections is understaffed, with more than half of the positions vacant.
In a 10-minute interview with the outlet, Department of Corrections leaders declined to answer questions about sexual misconduct and contraband being smuggled behind state prison walls.
Scott Jordan, deputy commissioner of adult institutions, would only say that his office takes any allegations of wrongdoing seriously.
“We handle every piece of information the same, whether it’s contraband or a relationship or whatever.”
“The truth is that if we did not handle these situations in a very aggressive way, the numbers would not be what they were,” he added.
“The reason the numbers are high is because we’re doing what we’re supposed to do,” Jordan said.
To make matters worse, the Kentucky Department of Corrections is understaffed, with more than half of the positions vacant.
Corrections officers had to work extra shifts, sometimes 72 hours a week, the outlet reported.
Only 47 percent of its 1,955 corrections officer positions are filled, forcing the department to pay millions of dollars in overtime to staff.
“Our inmates are very careful observers of the environment they live in. They know when we are severely understaffed, as we are now.”
“And, of course, some of them will try to take advantage of that in nefarious ways,” Secretary of Justice and Public Safety Kerry Harvey said in July 2022.