Kentucky Department of Corrections (KY DOC) — Inmate Records & Recent Arrests

Kentucky DOC: KOOL Inmate Lookup, Visits, Money & Mail

This page holds the inmate records we have on file for the Kentucky Department of Corrections (KY DOC). Kentucky runs a statewide system of prisons, so the person you are looking for could be housed at any of them and may be moved during their sentence. The records below are a historical directory of custody entries we hold — a starting point for identifying the right person and taking the next step — not a live count of any single facility, so confirm anything current against the state's official lookup. For more on this facility — history, programs, and what to expect — see our full facility profile.

How to find someone with KOOL

Kentucky provides the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL), a public tool that shows an incarcerated person's current location and status along with details like offense type and sentencing. To search, enter the person's first, middle, and last names and any aliases; including their PID number if you know it narrows the results. On this page you can also browse the records we hold by last name (A–Z), gender, or age to find someone quickly, then confirm the current facility and PID through KOOL. Because people are transferred between Kentucky institutions as their classification changes, a record here can lag behind a recent move, so verify before you plan a visit or send anything. Our inmate search guide for this facility walks through this in more detail.

How visitation works

The Kentucky DOC publishes detailed visitation policies that spell out who may visit, how to get on an approved list, and the conduct rules for visits. Each facility sets its own days and hours, and the department may also allow video visitation for relatives who live out of town or cannot travel in person, which can make staying in touch far more practical over distance. Before you plan a visit, get on the person's approved list, confirm the specific facility's schedule and identification and dress requirements, and check whether video visits are available for your situation. Arriving prepared, with valid photo identification, makes the day go smoothly.

Sending money through JPay

Kentucky uses JPay for inmate deposits, and it offers several convenient options. You can send funds online with a credit or debit card, through the JPay mobile app on iOS or Android, by phone, or in cash in person at any MoneyGram location — including CVS and Walmart stores. Funds let a person buy commissary items such as hygiene products, snacks, and writing materials, and cover communication costs. Always include the person's identifying number so the deposit reaches the right account, and allow processing time before the balance is available. A small, steady balance is usually more useful than an occasional large deposit.

Phone calls are placed by the inmate

One rule to understand up front in Kentucky: an incarcerated person can only speak with you when they call you — no inmate may receive a phone call from outside the institution, and calls are generally collect, meaning you are responsible for the charges. The practical implication is that you should set up your phone account and make sure your number is approved so their calls connect, rather than expecting to call in. Prepaid arrangements avoid the higher cost of traditional collect calls, and for families who talk frequently, lower-cost calling options can meaningfully reduce the expense over time.

Writing to a Kentucky inmate

All incoming mail must be sent through the U.S. Postal Service and is subject to inspection — and, in some cases, being read — to check for contraband and rule violations. Address your letter with the person's committed name and identifying number, include a clear return address, and keep enclosures simple, avoiding stickers, glitter, adhesive, or anything unusual that will get a letter rejected. Because mail procedures can vary by facility and change over time, when in doubt keep it simple and check the current policy. Our letter service handles formatting and postage so your correspondence meets facility requirements and reaches the right person.

Programs, parole, and reentry

Because KY DOC holds sentenced people, many families are also navigating classification, good-time credits, and parole rather than a pending trial. Kentucky offers education, vocational, and treatment programming, and participation can matter both for a person's daily life and, in some cases, for their release timeline. Staying closely involved — encouraging program participation and helping line up the practical pieces of reentry, such as housing and identification — is one of the most effective things a family can do, and consistent contact is associated with smoother transitions back to the community.

What the records here can and cannot tell you

A directory like this reflects custody entries captured from public data at a point in time, not a live feed from inside a facility. Because Kentucky's system moves people between institutions as their classification and program needs change, a person may appear here after a transfer or release, and individual fields can be incomplete — a middle name dropped, an ID recorded differently, or an age tied to an earlier booking date. None of that reflects anything about the person; it reflects the limits of the public source. Use an entry as a strong lead, then confirm the current facility and status through the KOOL lookup. If someone you expect to find does not appear, they may still be in county custody, in transit, or newly received, so wait a day and check again or search by last name only.

Staying connected across a sentence

Beyond the mechanics, the most important thing is consistency. A steady rhythm of letters, funded calls, and — where available — video visits gives your loved one something dependable to count on, and it keeps your relationship intact through what can be a long and isolating time. Coordinate among family members so contact is spread out rather than clustered, keep small balances on the phone and commissary accounts so nothing lapses, and make sure your number and visitor status stay current so a call or visit never fails for a preventable reason.

Next steps

Confirm your loved one's PID and current facility through KOOL, then use this page to keep track and take the next step — get on the visiting list, set up JPay so basics are covered, and open a steady line of mail. Everyone listed here is presumed innocent or is serving a sentence after conviction; a listing here is not a judgment. Verify anything time-sensitive with the facility before you travel or send anything.

Sources: corrections.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx, offers.jpay.com/doc/kentucky/KYDOC-Send_Money.html