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Department of Corrections
Gary Beckstrom Named Warden at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex
Gary Beckstrom has been named warden of Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC), replacing John Motley who retired last month.
Beckstrom retired from the Department in 2007 after a 30+ year distinguished career. He returned to work last year when he was called upon to serve as a monitor at the private prison in Wheelwright, Ky., because of his expertise and security background.
EKCC is a prison Beckstrom knows well: he served as EKCC’s Deputy Warden of Security for 11 years before his promotion to warden of the state’s newest prison, the Little Sandy Correctional Complex in Elliot County, in 2003.
“We are fortunate to have someone with Gary Beckstrom’s experience to fill this position,” said Corrections Commissioner LaDonna Thompson. “Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex is one of the largest medium-security facilities in the Commonwealth, housing some of the most serious offenders in the state. The facility requires an individual with Warden Beckstrom’s varied institutional experience and ability to provide overall leadership and direction for the staff, as well as his ability to command the respect of the incarcerated population.”
Beckstrom began his career in 1977 as a correctional officer at the Kentucky State Reformatory. He worked there for eight years in a variety of positions including Correctional Lieutenant and Classification and Treatment Officer. In 1985 he transferred to Northpoint Training Center (NTC) and was promoted to Unit Administrator II and subsequently promoted to Correctional Senior Captain in 1989. He served at NTC until his promotion to Deputy Warden in 1992.
During his career, Beckstrom has received several awards including honors for outstanding merit and distinguished service.
Beckstrom earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Spaulding University with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology and an associate degree in sociology from Jefferson Community College.
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