Department of Corrections
Paula Holden Promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Community Services

Kentucky Department of Corrections Commissioner LaDonna Thompson today announced the promotion of Paula Foree Holden to Deputy Commissioner of Community Services. A 30-year veteran of the Department, Holden’s promotion is effective immediately. In her new role, she will oversee DOC's Probation & Parole Division and Local Facilities.

Holden most recently served as assistant director and director of classification and population management. In that position, she monitored and coordinated inmate population and transfer issues within DOC prisons and county jails.

“The skills set and experience that Paula brings to the position makes her an invaluable asset to lead Community Corrections for the Department,” said Corrections Commissioner LaDonna Thompson. “Paula Holden has been a mentor throughout most of her career to numerous DOC employees. In addition, she is well respected by jailers and court staffs across the state and has worked with them for many years.”

Holden began her DOC employment at the Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR) in May 1978 where she was employed as a clerical assistant for three summers while attending college. She was then hired as a correctional officer at KSR in April 1982 and a year later was promoted to classification and treatment officer at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex (LLCC).

While at Luther Luckett, Holden also worked as an offender rehabilitation specialist and unit administrator I. She transferred to Roederer Correctional Complex (RCC) and at that prison held a number of positions including unit administrator II and program administrator of the Assessment/Classification Center.

In December 2003, Holden was promoted to Deputy Warden at Roederer and served in that position until January 2006 when she was promoted to director of population management.

A 1981 graduate of Murray State University, Holden received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and corrections. She graduated suma cum laude and was named the outstanding graduating senior in corrections.

Holden is the 2005 recipient of the Deputy Commissioner’s Award for Adult Institutions.