KOOL Kentucky Inmate Search: Kentucky State Penitentiary (2024)

Having a family member or friend in the Kentucky State Penitentiary system can be an emotional and difficult experience. Most people are not familiar with the penitentiary system when their loved one enters the system. Understanding how to use the KOOL system can be very helpful for family and friends.

What is the KOOL System in Kentucky?

KOOL is the acronym for Kentucky Online Offender Lookup. If your family member or loved one is in the Kentucky State Penitentiary system, you can use KOOL to search for them.

Begin by visiting the main KOOL website. A disclaimer on the website informs you that data for offenders that is newer than 120 days might not have been finalized.

The disclaimer also informs you that the Department does not guarantee the accuracy of all information in the system. However, updates and entries are performed daily to help improve accuracy.

To begin, click on the link to enter the KOOL system. You are directed to another web page where you enter information about the person you want to locate. There are several fields of data that you can enter:

  • Last name
  • First name
  • Middle name

Clicking the Advanced Options button gives you numerous fields for entering additional information. The system advises that entering as little information as needed to get a match works best. You can choose to sort the results by name (default choice), offender PID, or location.

The fields for search offenders with photos only and search aliases are checked. If you do not think your loved one might have a photo in the system yet, you might want to uncheck that box. You can always clear the data and run another search if your first search does not locate your family member or friend.

If your loved one is in the system, you receive information about them, including their current location, the criminal charges that resulted in incarceration, their prison identification number, and the Department of Corrections identification number. This information is helpful if you want to visit your loved one or send your loved one mail.

Clicking on your family member’s name provides additional information. Information on the offender’s page includes:

  • The offender’s photograph
  • The expected time to serve
  • Good time release date
  • Parole eligibility date
  • Maximum expiration of sentence date
  • General personal description
  • Information for each offense
  • Information about parole, if available

It can be frustrating when you are unfamiliar with the system if you cannot locate information about your loved one. However, if you continue working with the system, you will become more comfortable with it soon.

Being Paroled Early from the Kentucky State Penitentiary

The information in the KOOL system includes the date the inmate should be eligible for parole. State statutes and regulations govern parole eligibility. Offenders who committed violent crimes must serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before they can be paroled.

Individuals convicted of a sex crime must complete a sex offender treatment problem before they can be released on parole. Repeat felony offenders must serve at least ten years of their sentences before they are eligible for parole.

Just because an inmate is eligible for parole does not mean that the inmate will be paroled. The Kentucky Board of Parole handles paroles. There are many factors that the Board considers when deciding if an inmate can be paroled.

The Board of Parole considers factors such as the type of offense the person committed, job history, criminal history, substance abuse, education, job skill, incarceration record, and much more. If the Board does not grant parole, the person might come up for parole again.

When the Board does grant parole, it might include conditions and restrictions. The person might be required to pay restitution to a victim and meet with a probation officer regularly.

Avoiding Going to Prison in Kentucky

If you are charged with a crime in Kentucky, your best chance of avoiding prison is working with a criminal defense lawyer. Prosecutors and judges are not lenient. Many defendants face maximum sentences for convictions.

If you are arrested or under investigation for a crime, contact a criminal lawyer immediately. You have the right to remain silent. You should exercise that right.

Do not talk to the police or give a statement without your attorney present. Regardless of what the police might tell you, they cannot help you if you talk to them. Remember, police officers can lie to you.

You must provide your name and address, but you are not required to answer any other questions. Ask for an attorney and then stop talking. Your lawyer will work to have you released from jail, pending your trial, if possible.

Help Your Attorney by Staying Out of Trouble

Some things to remember once you are released from jail:

  • Do not contact the victim or anyone related to the victim
  • Follow all conditions of your release
  • Work with your lawyer to gather evidence for a defense
  • Do not associate with known criminals
  • Never put yourself in a situation in which you could be accused of another crime
  • Follow all instructions given to you by your lawyer

There could be several defenses available to you. However, if you get into more trouble after you are released from jail, it will be more challenging to obtain a favorable plea bargain. It could make it more difficult to mount a defense in court.

Most criminal cases are settled through a plea bargain. An experienced criminal defense lawyer understands the potential outcomes in your case, given the facts. He will give you those options and his opinion about what is best in your situation based on his experience and knowledge.

Regardless of your attorney’s opinion, the decision to accept a plea deal is up to you. However, your attorney has been dealing with the criminal justice system for many years and has more experience and knowledge of the legal system.

His goal is to keep you out of the Kentucky State Penitentiary system, if possible. Your lawyer will do whatever he can to help you avoid a prison sentence, including negotiating a plea deal when a trial could result in a much longer prison sentence.

The Bottom Line About Facing Criminal Charges in Kentucky

Do not face the charges alone. Hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your legal rights and best interests. By doing so, you might avoid a prison sentence, and your family will not need to learn how to use the KOOL system to check on you.

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KOOL Kentucky Inmate Search: Kentucky State Penitentiary (2024)

FAQs

How to look up a prisoner in Kentucky? ›

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.

How do I look up arrests in Kentucky? ›

The Administrative Office of the Courts provides two portals for online requests of Kentucky criminal records. There are the AOCFastCheck and the One-Time Request portal. The AOCFastCheck allows requesters to order criminal record reports and get the results online after the AOC has processed the request.

How many prisons are in KY? ›

How Many Prisons are in Kentucky? There are 5 federal Prisons, 12 State Prisons, and 20 County jails in the State of Kentucky.

How to look up warrants in Kentucky? ›

Interested parties can search statewide by contacting the Kentucky Court of Justice, which provides choices for online, mail, or in-person requests, or the Kentucky State Police, at their numerous office locations across the state.

How can I find out if someone is in local jail? ›

To find someone in jail, you can start with your State Department of Corrections. If you go to the state's web page, you will be able to find a phone number to contact. You'll also find resources like Sex Offender Registry, Offender Contact information, and Offender Visitation forms.

What is the bloodiest penitentiary in the United States? ›

About the Penitentiary

Louisiana State Penitentiary, once known as “America's Bloodiest Prison,” is the largest maximum security prison in the nation. The penitentiary's storied history of instability and reform serve as a reminder of the progress made within corrections and the possibilities of rehabilitation.

Who was the last inmate executed in Kentucky? ›

Marco Allen Chapman was the last person executed by the state. He was executed via lethal injection in 2008 after he murdered two children and raped their mother. In 2022, the GOP-dominated Kentucky state legislature banned the death penalty for those with certain mental disorders. The bill received bipartisan support.

Has anyone escaped from the Kentucky State Penitentiary? ›

On June 17, 1988, eight convicts, three being murderers on death row, escaped from the Kentucky State Penitentiary.

How much time do you serve on a 3 year sentence in Kentucky? ›

(b)
Sentence Being ServedTime Service Required Before First Review (Minus Jail Credit)
3 years10 months
More than 3 years, up to and including 9 years1 year
More than 9 years, up to and including 15 years2 years
More than 15 years, up to and including 21 years4 years
6 more rows

Where are federal inmates held in KY? ›

The Federal Medical Center, Lexington (FMC Lexington) is a United States federal prison in Kentucky for male or female inmates requiring medical or mental health care. It is designated as an administrative facility, which means that it holds inmates of all security classifications.

How much does it cost to house an inmate in KY? ›

Institutional Information
​Security Status​Medium
​Black/Other Inmates​36%
Annual Cost Per Inmate​$23,425.70
​Daily Cost Per Inmate​$64.18
​Annual Operating Budget​$10.7 Million
3 more rows

What is Kentucky online offender lookup? ›

More commonly known by its acronym, KOOL, this database offers a simple way to find a person within the Kentucky State Penitentiary system. To start, visit the KOOL website. Then just input the requested information, including last, middle and first name.

What is Kentucky Kool? ›

The Kentucky Department of Corrections provides the information in the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) system as a service to the public.

How do I find out if someone made parole in KY? ›

Therefore, if you have questions about the parole eligibility of a specific inmate you should call VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) at 1-800-511-1670.

What is the inmate classification CI in Kentucky? ›

These offenders are located in places like county jails and detention centers. Community Service. These offenders are serving community service in some area. Controlled Intake (CI) These offenders are considered controlled intake and are housed in controlled intake locations.

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