Find Kentucky Inmate Records

Kentucky inmate records comprise personal and official data about incarcerated individuals in county jails or prisons across the state. These records feature inmate personal data, including their names, date of birth, race, gender, mug shots, and physical descriptions. They also contain official data such as arrest and booking information, bail or bond amount, charges (both primary and secondary), and court information. The Kentucky Department of Corrections preserves inmate records and supervises correctional facilities and county-run jails in Kentucky.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Kentucky?

Yes, as defined under KY Rev Stat § 61.870 to 61.884, members of the public may access documents generated by any public office during designated service operations unless the files are restricted from public access per court order. Inmate records are also part of the information accessible to any citizen.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often simplify the search process since they aggregate information across several judicial districts and offer users the option of single/multi-record searches. To begin a third-party search engine, inquirers will be required to provide the following:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state in which the person resides or was accused.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources and are not sponsored by these agencies. Consequently, the accuracy and validity of their information may not be guaranteed.

What Information is Contained in a Kentucky Inmate Record?

A Kentucky inmate record contains all information on an individual committed to a correctional facility by the judicial authorities. An inmate file typically includes identifying information, such as the full name of the convict, aliases, physical description, and a booking photo (mugshot). Other data in a Kentucky inmate record is the official information generated during an individual’s encounter with the judicial and correctional authorities. The official information comprises details of the incarcerated person’s arrest, the primary and secondary charges brought against the individual, the bail or bond set after the arrest, and other information related to the judicial process.

Where Do I Look Up An Inmate in Kentucky?

The Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) maintains all inmate records from county jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers. The DOC provides an electronic system called the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL), which grants access to inmates from all correctional facilities and holding cells in the state.

The Kentucky Department of Corrections also provides an alternative inmate lookup system called the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). VINE is an automated system that provides regular notifications to the victim of a crime and all other concerned citizens about any change in an offender’s status. VINE gives updates about an offender through email or phone call to alert individuals if the violator is still in jail, is out on parole or probation, or has escaped from custody.

How Do I Conduct An Inmate Search in Kentucky?

The Kentucky Department of Corrections allows the online offender locator service, KOOL (Kentucky Online Offender Lookup), to conduct an inmate search. Interested parties can search on the system using identifiers such as the offender’s first, middle, or last name. Other attributes inquirers can use include the offender type, the county of supervision, and the location. The search results provide information about an incarcerated offender, such as the DOC/PID number of the individual, aliases, the offender’s current location, booking photo (if one exists), and parole eligibility.

The Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) service delivers information about inmates via email or phone to registered individuals. The system will alert the registered person of any changes in the status of an incarcerated individual.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Kentucky?

Interested persons can acquire information on inmates via a request to the correctional facility that retains the inmate. However, there are other means of finding inmates for free in Kentucky;

Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL): Using KOOL, interested persons can search for inmates using their first and last name or a known alias. Upon searching, requestors will see information on the inmate, such as their offense, current location, inmate’s DOC/PID number, the county, the risk assessment rating, and any new updates.

The Victim Identification and Notification Everyday (VINE) is an automated system created so past victims can follow up on an offender by signing up. Subscribers are alerted when an offender is transferred, released, or about to be on parole.

How To Find Old Inmate Records in Kentucky

The Archives Research Room at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) is in charge of old inmate records in the state. The department stores all original copies (hard and soft) and microfilm images of every court case. The general public can access most data and make copies of the criminal, civil, and criminal district records.

Interested persons must submit a request by mail and make payment through credit card on the website to obtain a record or make copies. The KDLA address is:

Archives and Records Department
Office of Circuit Court Clerk
Old Jail Building, Room 100
514 W. Liberty St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 595–3034

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Kentucky

In Kentucky, the primary way to check an inmate’s release date is through the KOOL. Inquirers may search using an inmate’s name or DOC/PID number, and the system will provide projected release dates, "good time” release dates, and other sentencing details. However, if the individual has been incarcerated for less than 120 days, a release date may not yet be finalized or available in the system.

For inmates in county jails rather than state facilities, release dates are sometimes listed directly on the jail’s online roster, though availability varies by county. The Kentucky Department of Corrections accepts Open Records Requests for more detailed information if the release date cannot be found online.

How Do I Find Inmate Death Records in Kentucky?

Death records in Kentucky are readily available to the public and do not require further documentation to access. The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics has records of every death, including inmates, from 1911 to the present day. Interested persons can obtain inmate death records by sending a written request indicating the particular document in question, or go a different route to download and complete the Kentucky Death Record Form. The form requires applicants to pay a specific fee, include a valid identification, and be mailed to:

Office of Vital Statistics
275 E. Main St. 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621

How Do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Conducting a federal prison inmate search may be easier if the researcher already has the BOP Register number/DCDC number/INS number, or FBI number. If any numbers are known, visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons, navigate to the Locate a Federal Inmate tab, select ‘find by number’, and input the number. Upon a successful search, the database will provide all the information available on that inmate.

However, if the numbers are not known, users navigate to the Locate a Federal Inmate tab, click on ‘find by name,’ and type in the inmate’s first, middle, and last names, race, age, and sex, along with other details about the inmate.

How Long Does it Take For An Inmate’s Information to Be Published in the Kentucky Inmate Locator?

The Kentucky Department of Corrections uses the KOOL system to inform the general public about inmates. The system updates daily so that the public can have recent inmate data. However, it takes about 120 days to publish finalized inmate information. Data of less than 120 days might be on the system, but will likely be incomplete or require frequent updates.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

An inmate may not appear in a Kentucky inmate search for several reasons. One of the most common may be the time of the search. If the individual was only recently booked into custody, their information may not yet be uploaded into the KOOL system, which can take several days or even weeks. In some cases, the Department of Corrections does not display records for individuals who have been incarcerated for less than 120 days because release dates and case details are still being processed.

Other reasons include the inmate being housed in a county jail instead of a state facility since county-level rosters are managed separately by local sheriffs or jail administrators. Additionally, records may be restricted if the inmate is in protective custody, involved in sensitive cases, or if disclosure would compromise security. Simple spelling errors or incomplete search criteria can also prevent a record from appearing.