Many states independently provide websites that allow the public to search for offenders who are incarcerated in their jurisdiction. There is no common collaboration or model that any state follows. State laws vary regarding the amount if public information is available, and all of these sites are different.
Anyone searching for inmates online should know that not all websites are compatible with all browsers. If the information you are looking for is not found, it is possible that the browser used is not compatible, and you do not have to load all the items on each page to consider which may be critical for the search. Most of the page reads “For use with Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.
If a later version, for example, Internet Explorer is used and not all the information is viewable, either updating the browser or accessing the information using another computer is recommended. The public library is a great resource. Librarians usually have computers that use the available software and can use the correct identification. You can call or stop by the library for your meeting requirements.
The state of Kentucky provides public information about inmates by providing their username, SPN (System Person Number) or ID number, the facility where the inmate is served, age, gender, race, eye color, hair color, height, weight, date of incarceration, and photo available using KOOL (Kentucky Offender Online Lookup).
The page contains a notice that reads: “An inmate date more recent than 120 days cannot be completed,” which means that inmate information that has served less than four months at any institution in Kentucky may not yet have complete information.
Accessing KOOL
The home page has an easy-to-use menu on the left side of the page and reads from top to bottom as follows:
About us
Newsroom
Departments and Divisions
Institutions and Facilities
Probation and Parole
Office of Victim Services-VITIS
Who will keep the information
Kentucky Sins Online Lookup
Kentucky Correctional Industries
Parole Board
Research system KOOL
To find an inmate, click on ‘Kentucky Offender’ Online Lookup. A new page loads with a disclaimer under the disclaimer link to use KOOL, and once clicked it will take you to a new page to complete your Kentucky inmate search.
The site also provides a ‘definitions page’ located at the top right of the search page which will provide definitions for the abbreviations used.
The KOOL search page system provides fields for first, middle and last names as well as a way to search for results. to propose The system can perform searches for as little information as just the last name.
Users can also choose to use the advanced search feature at the bottom to enter specific information for the search such as gender, date of birth, SPN, reference number, date of crime, date of incarceration or check box located right. to aliases
Search Results
Events provide the inmate’s name, institution, SPN/ID, and a brief description of the offense. If a photo is available, a small camera icon will be displayed with the name and can be viewed by clicking on the icon. In Kentucky, images are updated annually unless the inmate’s appearance has changed dramatically and requires an update.
Other information such as gender, height, weight, aliases, if any, is used as persuasion information and applicable credit information.
Other
The Kentucky site also provides information on individual institutions that can be accessed by clicking on the “Institutions and Resources” option in the index/protocol.
Information about inmates on death row inmates can be seen by clicking “Inmate Information” on the index page. The new page loads a link that reads, ‘Death Row Inmates.
Information about inmate mail, phone usage/restrictions, inmates, inmate visits, and project envelopes is also available on this page, but only in PDF format. There is a link below the file link provided to download the appropriate software to read these files.
Selecting this option will open a new page showing the map showing the location of each facility. A user can also click on the facility name on the card for specific information about the facility.
Kentucky inmates are not allowed internet access or email access, only approved emergency calls are allowed.
