Kentucky State Prison employee accused of sexual relationship with an inmate

Kentucky State Police began a criminal investigation at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville after a prison employee was accused of having a sexual relationship with an inmate.

Kentucky State Police Post 1 said in a news release that troopers were contacted by the penitentiary on Tuesday after the Kentucky Department of Corrections began an internal investigation. Authorities said the investigation started after the department learned an employee was allegedly having a sexual relationship with an inmate. 

KSP identified the employee as 23-year-old Raven West of Paducah. Based upon the preliminary investigation, including interviews with West and the victim, West was taken into custody and charged with two counts of third-degree rape, one count of third-degree sodomy, and one count of official misconduct. She was taken to the Crittenden County Jail.

The Department of Corrections said West submitted her resignation on Wednesday. They said she will not be permitted to work for the Department or any other agency within the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.