The state of Kentucky has two types of correctional facilities for prisoners. First, there are twelve state prisons in Kentucky. Then they have reentry service centers to assist inmates with life-skills training and vocational help to get jobs, find housing and other transitional aspects of leaving prison.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Corrections is the government entity in charge of the entire correctional system, and they maintain Kentucky state prison inmate records. Anyone needing to conduct a Kentucky state prison inmate search can contact the Department of Corrections directly or use the inmate locator feature on their website. Along with an inmate locator, they also provide information for family and friends on how to contact and visit inmates, send money or gifts and other helpful tips. The mission of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Corrections is: “To protect the citizens of the Commonwealth and to provide a safe, secure and humane environment for staff and offenders in carrying out the mandates of the legislative and judicial processes; and, to provide opportunities for offenders to acquire skills which facilitate non-criminal behavior.”
The list of twelve state prisons in Kentucky includes:
Additionally, the Department of Correction has a division called The Division of Local Facilities. This organization regulates and sets the standards for local county jails. They perform routine, biannual inspections, and provide technical assistance with jail operations, policies, procedures, staff training, and reconstruction projects.
The state of Kentucky also contracts with local community resources for a total of twenty reentry service centers, halfway houses, and other facilities to help inmates reintegrate back into society.
There are just below 25,000 inmates in Kentucky prisons. Almost 15,000 of them reside in medium custody and above. Only 4,500 are in community corrections or minimum custody programs. Another 361 live in halfway houses or non-secure housing. Roughly 18,000 are white, 5,000 Black, and the rest a split of Asian, Hispanic and Native American. Most Kentucky inmates are between the ages of 26–40. The highest number (28%) committed public disorderly crimes, 20% committed property crimes, 17% are in prison due to drug charges, and 12% for sex crimes. Only 6% of the Kentucky prison population committed violent acts.