Frankfort, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2015) - The Kentucky Department of Corrections recently honored employees across the state at its annual Corrections Awards Luncheon held Sept. 9 in Louisville.

Don Bottom, the warden at Northpoint Training Center (NTC) in Burgin, was named "Warden of the Year." Among the reasons Bottom was selected were his efforts to bring new inmate programs to his institution, the importance he places on staff, and making training opportunities for his staff one of his top priorities.

Susan Thompson was named "Probation & Parole Supervisor of the Year." Thompson, who currently supervises District 15 in Catlettsburg, has served with the division since 2001. She was recognized for her ability to encourage her employees, implementing re-entry programs, and her dedication to the department by volunteering to assist with the staffing shortage in the institutions.

The "Rookie of the Year" award was presented to Ashley Thomas. Thomas, who joined the department in November 2014, serves as a human resource specialist in the department's division of personnel services. She was praised for her work performance and her attention to detail.

The agency's top awards, called "Commissioner's Awards," were presented to: Nikki James, internal policy analyst II, Division of Administrative Services; Joseph Martin, statewide PREA coordinator, Division of Operations and Programs; Rebecca Palmer, assistant supervisor, District 15; Shannon Butrum, PREA compliance manager, Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women; David McIver, assistant supervisor, District 20; Kim Thompson, unit administrator II, Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR); Kirk Gausepohl, assistant supervisor, District 9; Brandy Harm, deputy warden, Blackburn Correctional Complex; Bridget Gilliland, senior captain, NTC; Kieryn Fannin, executive staff advisor, Division of Substance Abuse Programming; Derwin Keith Williams, unit administrator II, Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex.

Department of Corrections Hero Awards were presented to: Jon Tangerose, lieutenant and Donnie Konias, sergeant, Western Kentucky Correctional Complex (WKCC); William Sweat and James Hamlin, probation and parole officers, District 9; John Buckler, sergeant, KSR; Dustin Conner and Jared Thompson, sergeants, Kentucky State Penitentiary; Darrell Wheeler, unit administrator II, Mark Mitchell, classification treatment officer, Darime Ellis, lieutenant, Debra Banks, procedures officer, Green River Correctional Complex; Michael Chace Wallen, probation and parole officer, District 20; Cory Carter, sergeant, Roederer Correctional Complex; Katie Edmonds, Correct Care Solutions nurse, NTC.

Commissioner LaDonna Thompson presented Lisa Lamb, director of communications, with an award recognizing her dedication and outstanding contributions to the Department of Corrections.

The Kentucky Department of Corrections honored retired Lyon County Commonwealth's Attorney G.L. Ovey with the agency's 2015 Lucille Hurt Robuck "Commitment to Corrections" Award. Ovey was selected for his steadfast devotion to the Department of Corrections and his commitment to make the prosecution of crimes committed within state prisons a top priority. He is widely respected across the Department of Corrections among staff and inmates alike.

A complete listing of the awards can be found on the Department's website at:

http://corrections.ky.gov/about/Documents/2015%20Award%20Winners.pdf