Steve Berry graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BS in1973 and received a MS in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville in 1982. He worked at the Kentucky State Reformatory as a Classification and Treatment Officer in 1974 and later worked as a Unit Director and Deputy Warden at that facility. He also worked as Deputy Warden at Roederer Correctional Complex and Warden at Luckett Correctional Facility from 1994 -1998.