Are Kentucky Inmate Records Public Information?
Yes, Kentucky inmate records are considered public information in accordance with the Kentucky Open Records Act. Those who seek inmate records are expected to submit requests to the Department of Corrections in writing. A requester can also send a request by mail to correctionsopenrecords@ky.gov. One can also visit the office of the sheriff to request records.
Kentucky Inmate Search
Kentucky inmate records are documents describing the personal and sentencing information of persons incarcerated in prisons or county jails in Kentucky. These records are open for public inspection per the Kentucky Open Records Act and typically feature the inmate's biodata, Kentucky inmate mugshot, details of arrest, charges, and other relevant court information. Persons who wish to obtain inmate records in Kentucky must contact the record custodian at the correctional facility where the inmate is serving time. This record would show who’s in custody and help one find someone in jail.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and, therefore, are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
How to Find Someone in Jail in Kentucky
To find someone in a jail in Kentucky, individuals seeking records of inmates can send a written request to the Department of Correction Kentucky or email requesting records. One can also visit the official website maintained by the local law enforcement agency. An inquirer can also visit the office of the Sheriff to request records or check third-party sites to conduct a search by providing a full name and identification number. A requester can find out what jail someone is in and also find out why someone is in jail. Some third-party sites also make this data available to members of the public. Those who are interested in this data can search these sites.
How to Perform a Kentucky County Jail Inmate Search
County and city jails are facilities created for short-term stays, usually less than one year. Generally, county sheriff's offices and local police departments are in charge of jails in Kentucky. These agencies also maintain online repositories for inmate records. To conduct a jail inmate search, visit the local law enforcement official website and use the inmate's full name or identification number to find a person in jail.
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Kentucky Prison and Jail
The Kentucky DOC lays out the procedure for placing money into an inmate's account in prison, and there are six ways to get this done:
- By using a lobby kiosk
- By online payment
- By using the mobile app
- By walking into a retailer
- By speaking to an agent
- By mailing a money order
There are over 800 self-service payment kiosk locations where eligible persons may send money to an inmate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Senders can make payments with a debit card, credit card, or cash, depending on the location. These individuals can also deposit funds into an inmate's account online through the Access Corrections website or by downloading the free mobile app.
Alternatively, the person may walk into any cash payment center that collects and disseminates cash on behalf of inmates using the Cash Pay Today system, register, and make the deposit. Depositors can access payment locations using the cash pay today locations. Another way parties can send funds to inmates is by calling the toll-free line at (866) 345-1884 and speaking with an agent. Lastly, depositors who do not possess a debit or credit card can still send funds into an inmate's account by money order. Senders can use this method by filling out a money order deposit form and sending the money order and form to:
Access Corrections
KY DOC Offender Trust
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132
Funds sent by money order will be processed within 48 hours, while funds deposited through the other platforms are posted in real-time. Note that senders must know the inmate's first and last name and PID number. Meanwhile, the method of sending funds to an incarcerated individual in the different counties and cities across Kentucky remains the same. Funds can be sent online, via money order, or using a kiosk.
How to Get Approved to Visit an Inmate in Kentucky Prisons and Jails
Knowing the facility of incarceration is the first step to visiting an inmate, and this information is available on the Kentucky prison lookup tool. Armed with this information, an individual must then schedule an appointment. Generally, visitation schedules vary from prison to prison. While most of these facilities require the visitor to send an email, others prefer phone calls.
For instance, the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex requires intending visitors to call and leave a detailed message. The Kentucky State Reformatory, on the other hand, requires completing the KSR visitation appointment request form and submitting the completed form by email. On the visit day, visitors are expected to follow visitation rules, including ID requirements and dress code.
How to Find a County Inmate Roster in Kentucky
To find a county inmate roster in Kentucky, one can visit the Kentucky inmate lookup website or a third-party site to carry out a search. The office of the sheriff also provides information in regard to inmates. Those who seek access to the county inmate roster can submit a request to obtain records.
Can Anyone Visit an Inmate in Kentucky?
Visits are only permitted for individuals listed on an inmate's visiting list. Most facilities limit the number of permitted visitors to three adults in addition to immediate family members. To get included in the list, requesters are required to submit a completed inmate application form, providing their name, address, and contact details as well as the inmate's information. It's vital that visitors avoid falsifying any information during their application. Most applications are screened with a background check to verify that the information contained is accurate. Incorrect or incomplete applications may result in a denial.
How to Perform a Kentucky Prison Inmate Search
The DOC is responsible for the official prison inmate's records. Anyone looking to carry out a Kentucky prison inmate search can use the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) tool. For effective search results, searchers must provide the inmate's PID number, first, middle, and last names, and any other aliases. Additionally, parties can choose to include the offense committed, the date of the crime, the date of conviction, and the inmate's race, age, and gender for an advanced search result.
Inmate records of juveniles under 18 years of age cannot be made public. Parties may have difficulty locating an inmate because the facilities may not update new offender data consistently. It takes the DOC 120 days to get this done. Therefore, any inmate record less than 120 days will not show in an inmate lookup. Also, the inability to locate an inmate can be due to the inmate being recently transferred and records have not been updated to reflect the transfer. Inquiring parties who experience challenges locating an inmate online can call the central office inmate record at (502) 564-24330 or send a fax to (502) 564-9575.
Kentucky State Prisons and County Jails: Understanding the Difference
The Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) is responsible for operating the Kentucky state prisons and county jails and supervising offenders on probation or parole. The DOC has ten prisons and 16 county jails across the state.
Inmates in Kentucky state prisons are classified into four levels: close, minimum, medium, and maximum security. Close-security inmates are those who pose a serious threat to themselves or others, while minimum-security inmates are considered low-risk. Medium and maximum security inmates are classified based on their past criminal history and the severity of their current offense.
Inmates in Kentucky county jails are typically awaiting trial or sentencing, or they may be serving a sentence of one year or less. County jails are operated by Sheriffs' offices and have fewer amenities and programs than state prisons.
How to Find an Inmate Release Date
This piece of information is available directly from the jail administrator or online when a person looks up the inmate records online. However, suppose the record custodian seals this information for privacy or security reasons. Then, only eligible persons will have access to the exact inmate release date. These eligible persons include the inmate's immediate family members, crime victims, attorneys, and authorized law enforcement officials. At best, interested members of the public will only see the month and year of release.
Facilities Operated by the Kentucky Department of Corrections
The Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) is the state administrative head of 12 correctional facilities, including three minimum-security prisons, three minimum/medium-security prisons, three medium-security prisons, two medium/maximum-security prisons, one women's facility (all security), and one maximum/supermax prison. Male inmates on death row are housed at the Kentucky State Penitentiary. Persons who wish to obtain the physical address and contact information of Kentucky state prisons may see the facilities directory.
Little Sandy Correctional Complex
505 Prison Connector
Sandy Hook, KY 41171
Phone: (606) 738-6133
Roederer Correctional Complex
4000 Morgan Road
La Grange, KY 40031
Phone: (502) 222-0170
Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women
3000 Ash Avenue
Pewee Valley, KY 40056
Phone: (502) 241-8454
Blackburn Correctional Complex
3111 Spurr Road
Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: (859) 246-2366
Northpoint Training Center
710 Walter Reed Road
Burgin, KY 40422
Phone: (859) 239-7012
Green River Correctional Complex
1200 River Road
Central City, KY 42330
Phone: (270) 754-5415
Western Kentucky Correctional Complex
374 New Bethel Church Rd,
Fredonia, KY 42411
Phone: (270) 388-9781
Kentucky State Penitentiary
266 Water Street
Eddyville, KY 42038
Phone: (270) 388-2211
Bell County Forest Camp
560 Correctional Drive
Pineville, KY 40977
Phone: (606) 337-7065
Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex
200 Rd to Justice,
West Liberty, KY 41472
Phone: (606) 743-2800
Luther Luckett Correctional Complex
1612 Dawkins Road
La Grange, KY 40031
Phone: (502) 222-0363
Kentucky State Reformatory
3001 KY-146,
La Grange, KY 40032
Phone: (502) 222-9441
