Kentucky Corrections System

An overview of the corrections system in the state. How many jails are there? State corrections facilities? Is it a death penalty state? Who are some of the wardens? Who oversees the prison system. Do privatized prisons exist? How many people are incarcerated per year on avg, etc?

Inmate Search

Arrests, Warrant, Docket, Mugshot

Kentucky Inmate and Roster Search

Information on current inmates in Kentucky can be obtained by searching for specific inmates through a database. You have the option to search by the inmate’s identification number, last name, or date of birth. Some jails have full online rosters that display all the inmates. However, some jails do not have that information online. Some jails may offer Inmate Information phone numbers to find information about an inmate.

The searchable databases or rosters are typically located within a sheriff’s office website or a city police website. Inmate information that can be viewed includes date of birth, ID number, specific jail, booking date and charges, bond amount, case number, any fines and fees, and upcoming court dates.

Most local Kentucky jails are under the control of the county or city in which they’re located. County sheriff offices are often in charge of county jails. The leadership of the jail is typically called a jailer or director. The state is in charge of actual prisons in Kentucky. Kentucky is a death penalty state, but no executions have been carried out since 2008. Over 32,000 people are incarcerated in Kentucky.

There are 84 local jails in Kentucky, while there are 14 prisons. Some of the jails are county jails, some are city jails, and some are combined. There is at least one private prison in Kentucky.

Kentucky Visitation Guidelines and Hours

Inmates are usually allowed 1-2 visits per week, but some jails in Kentucky offer more visits. Some jails allow onsite visits where the inmate and visitor can physically see each other, while others only offer video visitation. Most jails have the option of remote visitation, meaning that you don’t have to travel to the jail. Onsite visits are typically free, while remote visitation may have a fee. Securus and Combined Public Communications are a couple of providers for video visits.

Visits are usually limited to 1-2 people and may last 20-30 minutes. Visits often must be scheduled in advance. For onsite visits, the visitor must arrive at least 15-30 minutes in advance and have a government ID.

Onsite visits are usually restricted to certain days and hours, but typically include at least one weekend day. Remote visits offer more flexibility, with extended hours.

There are many visitation rules.

  • Visitors must leave all belongings in storage lockers in the lobby.
  • No food or drinks.
  • No weapons are allowed.
  • Visitors may not leave packages, mail, or photos for inmates.
  • No see-through or revealing clothing.
  • Sleeves can’t be shorter than halfway down the upper arm.
  • No leggings.
  • Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be longer than mid-thigh.
  • No clothing that has offensive language, gang affiliations, or drawings.

Kentucky Direct Inmate Communication

Inmates in Kentucky jails typically do not have the ability to receive phone calls, but they can make calls. Those calls are either made collect or through a prepaid program offered by a phone service provider.

Once the account is established, the inmate can dial the phone number. When a prepaid account is verified, the call will go through, and the receiving person can accept the phone call.

Some of the phone service providers used in Kentucky jails include Securus, Smart Communications, and Inmate Sales. Video calls may be allowed if remote online visitation is allowed.Some calls made from the jail may be blocked, and all calls may be monitored and/or recorded.

Kentucky Inmate Mail

All mail to inmates must include a complete return address and the sender’s name, the inmate’s full name and identification number, and the inmate’s jail name and housing location. If any of that information is missing, the mail will be returned to the sender or back to the post office. Some jails process the mail in another location and only send digital copies to inmates.

All mail is inspected. Mail with perfume, lipstick, or other substances will be returned to the sender. Newspapers, books, or magazines must be mailed directly from the publisher, if they are allowed at all. Some jails may allow photographs to be sent in the mail, but others may not.

The following are considered contraband and will be disposed of:

  • Envelopes and greeting cards
  • Pens and pencils
  • Obscene photo
  • Markers, stickers
  • Stamps
  • Cash or money orders

Kentucky Sending Money to Inmates

There are accounts that money can be deposited into for inmates at Kentucky jails. Funds can be deposited and then used by the inmate for commissary purchases. Commissary purchases may be allowed 1-2 times per week. Funds can be sent through an app, online deposits, kiosk locations, over the phone, and at certain retailers. TouchPay, JailATM, and Access Corrections are common providers used for money deposits.

Money orders and online deposits are the preferred methods to send money to inmates. Cash may be allowed at a jail kiosk. Some jails have a monetary limit of how much you can deposit in cash at one time.

Kentucky Inmate Records, Bookings, and Mugshots

Information about active warrants can often be found at county sheriff’s offices’ websites.

Court records can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk’s office. Property records and marriage records can be obtained from the County Clerk. The Office of Vital Statistics or the County Health Department can be contacted for birth and death records. In some counties, there is a designated Records Custodian for each department.

The booking process takes place after a person is arrested. The person is then taken to a police station or jail, where they are searched, and information is recorded. The person is fingerprinted and turns over any personal possessions to be held until they are released. A health history will be taken, and a check for any active warrants on the person will be conducted. The entire process can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to possibly a day.

In 2010, there were 121,774 crimes reported in Kentucky, and the overall crime rate in Kentucky was 2,795.2 per 100,000 people. The murder rate was 4.3 per 100,000 people, and the forcible rape crime rate was 33.1 per 100,000 people. The robbery crime rate was 86.2 per 100,000 people, with an aggravated assault crime rate of 120.3 per 100,000 people. The property crime rate was 2,551.3 per 100,000 people.

County Jail

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Police Arrests

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