Kentucky's grievance system is one of the most structured in the country. It has two completely separate grievance tracks -- one for general conditions and one for health care -- and both of them involve formal committee hearings before the final appeal to institution leadership. The general track runs through a Grievance Committee that includes elected inmate members. The health care track runs through a committee of licensed health care professionals appointed by the Medical Director's Office. Each track has its own forms, its own timelines, and its own final decision-maker.
The initial filing window is tight: five business days from the date of the incident. That is the narrowest initial window in this series. Kentucky defines business days as 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
The governing document is CPP 14.6, Inmate Grievance Procedure, Policy Number 14.6 (effective May 7, 2025), incorporated by reference into 501 KAR 6:410.
Why the Process Matters: The PLRA
The Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 42 U.S.C. section 1997e(a), requires you to exhaust all available administrative remedies before a federal court will hear a lawsuit about prison conditions. In Kentucky, that means completing the informal resolution step, the Grievance Committee hearing, the Warden's review, and the Commissioner's review for general grievances -- or the full health care track for medical complaints. The Commissioner's (or Medical Director's) final decision exhausts your remedies.
The Supreme Court in Woodford v. Ngo (2006) held that proper exhaustion requires following all procedural rules. Miss the 5-business-day filing window, fail to request the committee hearing within 5 business days of the informal resolution notice, or miss the 3-business-day appeal window after the committee's recommendation, and your grievance may be closed or your appeal not heard.
The exhaustion requirement applies to conditions of confinement claims. It does not apply to habeas corpus petitions challenging your conviction or sentence.
Overview of Kentucky's Grievance System
A grievable issue shall include any aspect of an inmate's life in prison that is not specifically identified as a non-grievable issue, including: personal and social services needs, corrections policies and procedures, institutional policies and procedures, personal action by staff, staff conflicts, and health care concerns (through the separate health care track).
What is NOT grievable under CPP 14.6:
- Appeal of a court decision or order
- Parole Board decisions
- Non-departmental complaints (Social Security benefits, federal detainers, etc.)
- Disciplinary procedures, Adjustment Committee decisions, Unit Hearing Officer decisions, Adjustment Officer decisions, Warden's review of disciplinary decisions, and incidents involving a disciplinary report -- if a disciplinary report is issued about the same event you grieved, the grievance is rendered moot and you must use the disciplinary adjustment process instead
- Classification decisions, including transfer denials, recommendations, and approvals
- Award or denial of educational good time
- Rejected mail
- Open records or open records denials
- Sentence calculation
- SAP (Substance Abuse Program) approval, denial, and dismissals
- Risk and Needs Assessment
- Grievances on behalf of another inmate or other inmates
- PREA investigation findings
Sexual abuse reported in a grievance is NOT handled through the grievance process. If you report sexual abuse in a grievance, the Grievance Coordinator will forward it to the Warden, who assigns it to a trained investigator. See CPP 14.7, Sexual Abuse Prevention and Intervention Programs, for reporting options.
Track 1: General Inmate Grievance Process
This track covers all grievances EXCEPT those concerning health care access or quality of medical, dental, or mental health services. Grievances involving unfair or discriminatory treatment, safety, or sanitation in medical/dental/mental health settings are handled in this general track -- not the health care track.
Step 1: Filing and Informal Resolution
Preparing the grievance:
- In writing, legible, contained within the space on the grievance form plus one additional page if necessary. Documentary evidence does not count toward the page limit. A waiver of the page limit may be sought from the Grievance Coordinator.
- One issue per grievance. Separate grievances for separate issues. Exception: a staff conflict grievance may address multiple incidents if all incidents relate to the same staff conflict.
- Include all aspects of the issue and identify all individuals in the "Brief Statement of the Problem" section. Include everything now -- all problems, all individuals -- so they can be addressed at Step 1.
- List witnesses and provide written statements with the grievance form.
- No suggesting a specific form of disciplinary action against a staff member.
- No vulgar or abusive language. If language is unacceptable the grievance may be rejected with written explanation.
Filing deadline: Within **5 business days** after the incident occurs.
Special cases:
- Religious programs issue: Must follow CPP 23.1 (Religious Programs process) first. If still unsatisfied after exhausting all levels of that process, then file a grievance within 5 business days of receiving the final decision from that process.
- Missing or stolen property: Must follow CPP 14.1 (Investigation of Missing or Stolen Inmate Property process) first. If still unsatisfied, file a grievance within 5 business days of receiving the final decision.
- Physical danger grievance: If the grievance places you or other inmates in physical danger, the Grievance Coordinator may bypass informal resolution and the committee and send the grievance directly to the Warden at Step 3.
After filing -- informal resolution:
- An attempt to resolve the grievance informally shall begin after the grievance is properly filed.
- The Grievance Aide, Grievance Coordinator, department head, or institutional staff handle this step.
- Staff may interview up to 5 witnesses (for whom you have not already provided statements).
- All informal resolution attempts must be documented in writing.
- Informal resolution must be completed within **10 business days** of filing.
If you are not satisfied with the informal resolution results: Within **5 business days** of receiving notice of the results, make a written request to the Grievance Coordinator for a Grievance Committee hearing.
Step 2: Grievance Committee Hearing
The Grievance Committee consists of: a minimum of 2 inmates elected by the population, 2 staff members, and 1 non-voting chairperson. The Grievance Coordinator normally does not chair. Staff involved in the informal resolution step are excluded from committee service for that grievance. Staff members who are the subject of a grievance do not serve on the committee for that grievance.
The Committee must hear the grievance and produce a recommendation within **10 business days** of the hearing request.
Attendance: You must attend the hearing unless you have an excused absence (requires prior approval from the Grievance Coordinator). Failure to attend = dismissal of the grievance.
Inmate assistant: You may request that another inmate assist you at the hearing. Make the request in writing when you request the hearing and name the inmate. The assistant may be a Grievance Aide or another general population inmate housed at your institution.
Staff conflict grievances at the hearing: The Committee acts only as a fact-finding body and cannot recommend specific disciplinary actions against staff. As an alternative, you may request that a staff conflict grievance skip the committee entirely and go directly from informal resolution to the Warden at Step 3.
After the committee hearing:
- If you are satisfied with the recommendation: give written notice to the Grievance Coordinator within **3 business days** of receiving notice of the recommendation. The Coordinator forwards to the Warden.
- If you are NOT satisfied: file an appeal to the Warden using the appeal form within **3 business days** of receiving notice of the recommendation. The appeal is limited to 1 page. State the basis for your appeal.
Step 3: Warden's Decision
The Warden reviews the grievance and appeal and must respond within **15 business days** of receipt from the Grievance Coordinator. The Warden's decision must be in writing with clear reasons. The Warden may return the grievance to the informal or committee stage for further investigation, in which case all time limits restart at the level where the grievance is returned.
If you are not satisfied with the Warden's decision: Within **3 business days** of receiving notice of the Warden's decision, file an appeal to the Commissioner using the appeal form. The appeal is limited to 1 page. Explain why the Warden's decision did not resolve the grievance. Submit through the Grievance Coordinator.
Step 4: Commissioner's Decision -- Final
The Commissioner or designee reviews the grievance and issues a written decision with reasons within **15 business days** of receipt. If further investigation is needed, the 15-business-day response time may be extended to allow completion of that investigation.
The Commissioner's decision is final. Once issued, your administrative remedies are exhausted and you may proceed to federal court.
Track 2: Health Care Grievance Process
This track covers grievances about health care access and quality: medical, dental, and mental health services. This does NOT cover unfair or discriminatory treatment, safety, or sanitation in health care settings -- those go through Track 1.
Step 1: Informal Resolution
Filing deadline: Within **5 business days** of the health care incident or decision.
A health care grievance may address more than one health care issue, but must not contain issues unrelated to health care.
Medical records authorization required: You must sign an authorization allowing necessary staff, grievance staff, health care staff, and outside consultants to share or review your health care information for purposes of resolving the grievance. You may exclude the Grievance Aide from this authorization. Failure to sign the authorization = failure to comply with the process.
Privacy option: You may request that Grievance Aides not have knowledge of your specific health care facts. Each institution establishes a method (sealed grievances or excluding Aides entirely) to protect this privacy.
The Grievance Coordinator forwards the health care grievance to the Institutional Health Authority. The Health Authority (or a designated medical professional with specific knowledge of the incident) responds with informal resolution within **15 business days** of receipt.
If not resolved informally: Written request to the Grievance Coordinator for Health Care Grievance Committee review within **5 business days** of the notice of informal resolution results.
Step 2: Health Care Grievance Committee
Composed of 1-3 licensed health care professionals appointed through the Department of Corrections Medical Director's Office. Any staff involved in the informal resolution is recused. The provider who is the subject of the grievance is recused.
The committee makes a recommendation within **15 business days** of receiving the grievance from the Grievance Coordinator.
If satisfied: Written notice to the Grievance Coordinator within **3 business days** of receiving notice of the recommendation. Coordinator forwards to Medical Director's Office.
If not satisfied: File an appeal (on the appeal form, limited to 1 page, state basis for appeal) within **3 business days** of receiving notice of the recommendation. Coordinator forwards to Medical Director's Office.
Step 3: Medical Director -- Final
The Medical Director reviews the grievance and may seek outside health care professional consultation. Response within **20 business days** of receiving the grievance if no outside consultation is needed; within **15 business days** of receiving outside information if outside consultation is sought.
The Medical Director's decision is final for health care grievances.
Deadlines at a Glance (Business Days)
All deadlines in business days (8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday excluding holidays) unless noted.
TRACK 1 (General Grievance):
Filing deadline: within 5 business days of incident
Informal resolution: within 10 business days of filing
Request for Grievance Committee hearing: within 5 business days of informal resolution notice
Committee produces recommendation: within 10 business days of hearing request
Appeal committee recommendation to Warden: within 3 business days of committee recommendation notice
Warden responds: within 15 business days of receipt
Appeal Warden's decision to Commissioner: within 3 business days of Warden's decision notice
Commissioner responds: within 15 business days (extendable for investigation)
TRACK 2 (Health Care Grievance):
Filing deadline: within 5 business days of incident or health care decision
Health Authority informal response: within 15 business days of receipt
Request for Health Care Committee review: within 5 business days of informal resolution notice
Health Care Committee recommendation: within 15 business days of receiving grievance
Appeal committee recommendation: within 3 business days of committee recommendation notice
Medical Director response: within 20 business days (or 15 after receiving outside info)
Emergency grievances: Action initiated within **2 business days** of the Grievance Coordinator receiving the grievance; forwarded directly to Warden or special committee called.
No response at any level: If a time limit is not met, you may agree to an extension or have the grievance forwarded to the next level without action.
What to Put in Your Grievance
Include everything in Step 1: all individuals involved, all aspects of the issue, all witnesses. The step 1 requirement to identify everyone means you cannot add individuals or raise new related issues at later steps. Be thorough and complete from the beginning.
For Track 1: One issue per form (unless staff conflict). Attach supporting evidence.
For Track 2: May address multiple health care issues. Sign the medical records authorization. Consider whether you want to request Grievance Aide exclusion from your health care facts.
The appeal forms (Attachment IV) are limited to one page at every level. State the basis for appeal concisely.
Keep copies: Your grievance form, all attachments, every response, and every appeal you file. The 3-business-day windows between steps require immediate action. Having copies on hand means you can move without reconstructing your file.
Families: Families cannot file a grievance on your behalf -- CPP 14.6 specifically identifies grieving on behalf of another inmate as non-grievable. Exception: transfer mid-grievance -- you may appoint another inmate to continue with your grievance in writing (full power to appeal or not) before your transfer. Health care grievances require your own active election to continue after transfer.
If you are paroled, serve out your sentence, or are discharged from the DOC, your grievance is closed and rendered moot.
The Corrections Ombudsman
Kentucky has an internal Corrections Ombudsman -- a DOC employee who monitors and oversees the operation of the grievance procedure. The Ombudsman is not an independent oversight body (unlike Iowa's legislative Ombudsman). The Corrections Ombudsman:
- Monitors the grievance process
- Receives appeal forwarding from Grievance Coordinators
- Can reject a grievance for non-compliance with policy
- Can reinstate improperly rejected grievances
- Receives reports from Grievance Coordinators and Grievance Aides
If you believe a reprisal has been made against you for using the grievance procedure, you may write to the Grievance Coordinator, the Warden, or the Corrections Ombudsman. Grievances shall not be included in your institutional record. No negative reference to your use of the grievance procedure shall appear in your pre-parole progress report.
Federal Prisons in Kentucky
Kentucky has one of the highest concentrations of BOP facilities of any state, all in the eastern part of the state:
**FCI Ashland** (Ashland, KY) -- medium-security for male inmates, with a satellite camp. Located in Boyd County in northeastern Kentucky.
**USP Big Sandy** (Inez, KY) -- high-security for male inmates, ~1,405 main + 36 camp. Located in Martin County in eastern Kentucky, near the Virginia/West Virginia border.
**FMC Lexington** (Lexington, KY) -- administrative-security federal medical center, ~1,134 male inmates + 150-female minimum-security camp. Lexington houses inmates requiring significant medical or mental health care.
**FCI Manchester** (Manchester, KY) -- medium-security for male inmates, ~1,100 main + 500 camp. Located in Clay County in eastern Kentucky.
**USP McCreary** (Pine Knot, KY) -- high-security for male inmates. Located in McCreary County in south-central Kentucky.
All five facilities fall under the **Mid-Atlantic Regional Office** in Philadelphia, PA.
If you are at any of these BOP facilities, the Kentucky DOC process described in this article does not apply to you. Federal inmates use the BOP Administrative Remedy Program running BP-8 through BP-11 under 28 CFR Part 542. See the InmateAid federal grievance article for the complete BOP process.
After Exhaustion: Where to Go Next
Once the Commissioner (general track) or Medical Director (health care track) issues a final decision, your administrative remedies are exhausted. Federal court is now an option for conditions of confinement claims.
Disability Rights Kentucky: disabilityrightsky.org; (502) 875-2132. Kentucky's federally mandated Protection and Advocacy organization for people with disabilities, including mental illness. Has federal authority to investigate abuse and neglect and to access KDOC facilities. Relevant especially for disability-related grievances, mental health care complaints, and ADA accommodation failures.
ACLU of Kentucky: aclukys.org. Works on civil rights and prisoners' rights in Kentucky including conditions of confinement.
Kentucky Equal Justice Center: kyequaljustice.org. Civil legal aid organization serving low-income Kentuckians.
Jails vs. Prisons: Key Differences in Kentucky
Kentucky county jails are operated by county jailers and are separate from KDOC. CPP 14.6 applies to KDOC institutions and contracted prison facilities whose contracts include this policy. For contracted facilities where the contract does not include CPP 14.6, the facility must have its own grievance procedure with the final review submitted to the Commissioner of the DOC.
Many Kentucky inmates are housed in county jails due to overcrowding -- these are "state prisoners housed in county jails." Whether CPP 14.6 or the local jail's process applies to you depends on whether your housing is under KDOC jurisdiction or the local jailer's jurisdiction. Confirm with the Grievance Coordinator which process applies.
501 KAR 3:140 establishes minimum standards for county jails housing state prisoners and requires jails to have a written grievance procedure and to respond to written grievances within 10 days.
If you are a pretrial detainee in a local county jail, the PLRA exhaustion requirement applies. Ask for the jail's written grievance procedure and exhaust whatever process it provides.
Special Circumstances
Emergency grievances: Take your grievance directly to the Grievance Aide, who brings it to the Grievance Coordinator. If the Grievance Coordinator determines it is an emergency, it is forwarded directly to the Warden or a special committee meeting is called. Action must be initiated within **2 business days** of the Grievance Coordinator receiving the emergency grievance.
ADA and disability accommodations: If you need ADA accommodation in the grievance process itself, notify the Grievance Coordinator. The Grievance Coordinator notifies the institutional ADA Coordinator. The time limit for DOC staff response does not begin until the ADA Coordinator approves or denies the accommodation request. The Grievance Committee must use any approved ADA accommodations during the hearing. Contact Disability Rights Kentucky for accommodation failures.
Staff conflict grievances: The Grievance Committee acts as a fact-finding body only and cannot recommend specific disciplinary actions. You may request that a staff conflict grievance skip the committee and go directly from informal resolution to the Warden at Step 3. Write this request to the Grievance Coordinator.
Criminal acts by staff: If your grievance alleges a criminal act involving staff, the Grievance Coordinator must report it to the Warden.
Grievance abuser restrictions: If the Warden determines you are abusing the grievance process by filing numerous frivolous or harassing grievances, your filings may be limited to no more than one grievance every 10 business days. This restriction lasts no more than 6 months. You may apply to the Warden for removal of the restriction at the 6-month mark. Restrictions may be extended in 6-month increments.
Group grievances: If multiple inmates file essentially identical grievances close in time, the Grievance Coordinator may consolidate them into one group grievance with 1-2 designated grievants handling the hearing and appeals. All involved inmates are notified of the outcome.
Repetitious grievances: You may not regrieve an issue you have personally grieved within the past 6 months. If another inmate's essentially identical grievance was resolved within the past 6 months, you may receive a copy of that decision instead of going through the full process; you can then appeal directly to the Commissioner if unsatisfied.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file my grievance in Kentucky?
Five business days from the date the incident occurs. Business days are 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. This is one of the narrowest initial filing windows in the country. Act immediately.
What is the Grievance Committee and who is on it?
The Grievance Committee is a formal hearing body that includes at least two inmates elected by the general population, two staff members, and one non-voting chairperson. The committee hears your grievance after the informal resolution step fails to resolve it, reviews the evidence and documentation, and makes a recommendation. You must attend the hearing. You may bring another inmate to assist you.
How does the health care grievance process differ from the general process?
The health care track is used for grievances about the access to or quality of medical, dental, and mental health care services. It runs through a Health Care Grievance Committee of licensed health professionals (not elected inmates), with informal resolution by the Institutional Health Authority, and final review by the Medical Director. You must sign a medical records authorization to use this track. Response timelines are different from the general track.
What are the 3-business-day appeal windows?
After you receive notice of the Grievance Committee recommendation: 3 business days to appeal to the Warden. After you receive notice of the Warden's decision: 3 business days to appeal to the Commissioner. In the health care track: 3 business days to appeal the Health Care Committee recommendation to the Medical Director. These are hard deadlines. Missing them can end your case.
What happens if I am transferred mid-grievance?
For general grievances: you may appoint another inmate in writing to continue your grievance at the institution with full authority to appeal or not. If you fail to make this appointment before transfer, any remaining steps at the institution are discontinued and the grievance is dismissed (unless you had already appealed to the Commissioner before the transfer). If you are paroled or discharged, the grievance is closed and rendered moot.
Can my family file a grievance on my behalf?
No. CPP 14.6 explicitly identifies grievances filed on behalf of another inmate as non-grievable. Your family cannot file for you. They can contact the Corrections Ombudsman, Disability Rights Kentucky, or the ACLU of Kentucky after you have exhausted your internal remedies. --- INTERNAL LINKS TO PLACE: 1. Kentucky inmate search (InmateAid Kentucky page) 2. Family rights and advocacy in Kentucky (FRA series Kentucky article) 3. How the Kentucky prison disciplinary process works (if spoke exists) 4. How Prison Works hub 5. Staying Connected hub --- SPEC NOTE / SOURCING (strip before publish): - Voice: formerly incarcerated narrator written TO the incarcerated person; family guidance woven in. No em dashes. No smart quotes. No double hyphens. Plain text. - Meta title char count: 54 (under 60). Meta description char count: 155 (in 150-160 range). All 7 FAQ headings under 60 chars, verified. - Defining hooks for Kentucky: (1) TWO PARALLEL TRACKS: general grievance (elected inmate committee) + health care grievance (licensed health professional committee + Medical Director final); (2) 5-BUSINESS-DAY initial filing window -- tightest initial window in the series; (3) Grievance Committee with ELECTED INMATE MEMBERS (at least 2 elected by general population); (4) MEDICAL RECORDS AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED for health care track; Grievance Aide may be excluded from health care facts; (5) STAFF CONFLICT GRIEVANCES: committee is fact-finding only, cannot recommend disciplinary action; grievant can opt to bypass committee and go directly to Warden; (6) TRANSFER: if transferred mid-grievance, can appoint another inmate to continue; health care requires active election to continue before transfer; if paroled/served out/discharged: grievance closed and rendered moot; (7) REPETITION RULE: no regrieving same issue within 6 months; (8) ABUSER RESTRICTION: 1 grievance per 10 business days maximum; 6-month periods; (9) LARGE BOP PRESENCE: FCI Ashland, USP Big Sandy, FMC Lexington, FCI Manchester, USP McCreary -- all Mid-Atlantic Regional Office Philadelphia PA; (10) 501 KAR 3:140 governs county jails housing state prisoners -- 10-day response to written grievances. - SOURCES: CPP 14.6, Inmate Grievance Procedure, effective May 7, 2025 (full text fetched from corrections.ky.gov/About/cpp/Documents/14/14.6%20-%20INMATE%20GRIEVANCE%20PROCEDURE.pdf -- supersedes June 1, 2023 version; incorporated by reference into 501 KAR 6:410 which was updated May 15, 2024): Definitions (I: business days 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri excl holidays; Corrections Ombudsman = DOC employee monitoring grievance procedure; Grievance Aide = appointed inmate; Grievance Coordinator = staff appointed by Warden; Grievant; Institutional Health Authority = licensed medical professional with admin responsibility for healthcare); Policy/Applicability (II.A: DOC institutions + contracted facilities with applicable contract language; if no contract provision for CPP 14.6 = own process with Commissioner final review); Grievable Issues (II.B: any aspect of prison life not specifically non-grievable); Non-grievable (II.C: court decisions, Parole Board, non-departmental complaints, disciplinary processes and reports, classification decisions, educational good time, rejected mail, open records, sentence calculation, SAP, Risk/Needs Assessment, on behalf of other inmates, PREA investigation findings); Group Grievances (II.D: consolidation by Coordinator; 1-2 designated grievants); Repetitious Grievances (II.E: no regrieving within 6 months; if another's identical grievance decided within 6 months = prior decision provided; can appeal to Commissioner within 3 business days; abuser: 1 grievance per 10 business days, up to 6 months, applies for extension periods); Extension Clause (II.F: moratorium on time limits if >5 grievances/week per inmate or >20 minimum security/week or >40 medium/max security/week); Grievance Coordinator duties (II.G: schedule hearings, keep records/log, monitor, maintain file, assist in appointing Aides, ensure time limits, supervise/train staff and inmates, post summaries, submit reports to Ombudsman, act as liaison to Ombudsman, forward appeals to Ombudsman, conduct elections, notify ADA Coordinator); Grievance Aide qualifications and duties (II.H: adequate number per institution; read/write appropriate skill level; 90+ days before Parole Board or sentence end; duties: assist informal resolution, counsel on process, assist preparation, document informal action, keep file of prior decisions, record grievances in log, forward to Coordinator, file monthly report, forward to Ombudsman via Coordinator; accessible to general population); Grievance Committee composition (II.I: minimum 2 elected inmates + 2 staff + 1 non-voting chairperson; not normally Grievance Coordinator as chair; supervisory staff preferred as chairpersons; elected inmates serve 6-month term; removal for inability/poor performance/misuse/institutional misbehavior; staff subject of grievance excluded; staff involved in informal resolution excluded); General Grievance Process Step 1 (II.J.1: form + 1 page + documentary evidence not counted; 5 business days to file; one issue except staff conflict; identify all individuals and all aspects; witness list with statements; no specific disciplinary action suggestion; criminal act = Coordinator reports to Warden; sexual abuse = forwarded to Warden, assigned to trained investigator, NOT processed through grievance; religious = follow CPP 23.1 first then 5 business days from final decision; property = follow CPP 14.1 first then 5 business days from final decision; Coordinator may reject with written explanation; rejected still logged; improper rejection = reinstated by Warden or Ombudsman; documentary evidence attached; no distributing pre-prepared grievances; only Grievance Aides may assist without Coordinator approval; informal resolution within 10 business days; up to 5 witness interviews; documented in writing; physical danger = skip to Warden at Step 3; if unsatisfied = request hearing within 5 business days); Grievance Committee Hearing Step 2 (II.J.2: staff conflict = fact-finding only, no specific disciplinary recommendation, grievant may request bypass to Warden; committee recommendation within 10 business days of hearing request; must attend unless excused prior approval; failure to attend = dismissal; inmate assistant: written request naming assistant when requesting hearing, Aide or incarcerated general population inmate; committee reviews written grievance and documentation; may call witnesses; majority/minority documented; split decisions both numbered; if satisfied = written notice within 3 business days; if unsatisfied = appeal form within 3 business days, 1 page, state basis); Warden Step 3 (II.J.3: Coordinator reviews appeal for relevance, may return to rewrite or reject, 3 business days to correct; Warden responds within 15 business days; may return for further investigation; all time limits restart if returned; appeal to Commissioner within 3 business days, 1 page, explain why Warden decision didn't resolve); Commissioner Step 4 (II.J.4: Coordinator reviews appeal; Commissioner/designee responds within 15 business days extendable for investigation; final step); Time Limits (II.J.5: missed response = grievant may agree to extension or have forwarded to next level; emergency: Aide -> Coordinator -> Warden or special committee, action within 2 business days; ADA accommodation: time limits don't start until ADA Coordinator approves/denies and notifies Coordinator); Health Care Track Step 1 (II.K.1: 5 business days; may address multiple health care issues; authorization required; Aide exclusion option; Institutional Health Authority informal response within 15 business days; if unsatisfied = request committee within 5 business days); Health Care Committee Step 2 (II.K.2: 1-3 licensed health care professionals from Medical Director's Office; recusal of involved staff and subject provider; recommendation within 15 business days; if satisfied = 3 business days written notice; if unsatisfied = 3 business days appeal on form); Medical Director Step 3 (II.K.3: final; 20 business days without outside consultation; 15 business days after receiving outside info); Transfer (II.M: general = can appoint another inmate; paroled/served out/discharged = closed moot; health care = must notify before transfer to continue; discontinued if no written notice unless already at final review); Reprisal (II.N: not in institutional/central office record; no negative reference in pre-parole report; report to Coordinator/Warden/Ombudsman); 501 KAR 3:140 (county jails housing state prisoners: written grievance procedure required; response within 10 days); federalcriminaldefenseattorney.com (FCI Ashland, USP Big Sandy ~1,134-1,405, FMC Lexington ~1,134+150 camp, FCI Manchester ~1,100+500 camp, USP McCreary; all Mid-Atlantic Regional Office Philadelphia PA); disabilityrightsky.org (Disability Rights Kentucky = KY P&A; (502) 875-2132); aclukys.org (ACLU of Kentucky); kyequaljustice.org (Kentucky Equal Justice Center); Woodford v. Ngo 548 U.S. 81 (2006). - VERIFY FLAGS for Poorwa: (1) CPP 14.6 effective May 7, 2025 is the current version (supersedes June 1, 2023 version; confirmed from corrections.ky.gov). Verify no subsequent update on corrections.ky.gov/About/cpp. (2) Confirm business day definition: 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri excl. holidays -- confirmed in CPP 14.6. (3) CRITICAL: Confirm all key deadlines still current: 5 BD initial filing; 10 BD informal resolution; 5 BD request for committee hearing; 10 BD committee recommendation; 3 BD inmate appeal between steps; 15 BD Warden response; 15 BD Commissioner response (extendable); health care: 15 BD Health Authority informal; 5 BD request for committee; 15 BD Health Care Committee recommendation; 3 BD appeal to Medical Director; 20 BD Medical Director final (or 15 after outside info). (4) Confirm the Corrections Ombudsman is an INTERNAL DOC employee (not independent legislative ombudsman like Iowa); verify current Corrections Ombudsman contact info if available publicly. (5) Confirm BOP Kentucky facilities: FCI Ashland, USP Big Sandy, FMC Lexington, FCI Manchester, USP McCreary -- all operational and all Mid-Atlantic Regional Office Philadelphia PA. (6) Confirm Disability Rights Kentucky: disabilityrightsky.org; (502) 875-2132. (7) Confirm ACLU of Kentucky: aclukys.org. (8) Confirm Kentucky Equal Justice Center: kyequaljustice.org. (9) Confirm 501 KAR 3:140 county jail minimum standards -- 10-day response to written grievances. (10) SEXUAL ABUSE: confirmed it is NOT processed through grievance system; forwarded to trained investigator per CPP 14.7 -- confirm CPP 14.7 is current. (11) PREA investigation findings: non-grievable; confirmed. (12) Health care Authorization form -- confirm what this is called and whether it is a specific attachment to CPP 14.6 forms (the policy mentions attachment IV for appeal forms; confirm all attachments). (13) Confirm that Kentucky uses "business days" consistently (not "calendar days") at all steps except where noted. No volatile phone rates. No crisis-line specifics.