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Kentucky

The Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) trains and certifies state correctional officers, probation and parole officers, and county jail staff, sets jail standards, and inspects every jail. Deputy jailers may also hold Kentucky Law Enforcement Council certification on their agency’s request. Since 2023 the State has let 18-year-olds work inside jails in limited roles, required unanimous Parole Board panels in 2024 and then relaxed that rule in 2026, added jail staff to peer support counseling programs, and made assault on jail health care workers third-degree assault. Most Kentucky acts take effect 90 days after the session ends; entries are dated by effective date.

Sources checked
Part of
Corrections Ledger

At a glance

Certifying body
Split system. DOC’s Division of Corrections Training “shall establish, supervise, and coordinate training programs and schools for corrections personnel, jail personnel” and others, and “shall issue certification to those employees having successfully met the requirements” (KRS 196.070(2)(a)). That covers state correctional officers, probation and parole officers, and county jail staff. The Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) certifies peace officers; deputy jailers and employees of county or metro correctional services departments may be KLEC-certified on the employing agency’s request, and elected jailers are exempt but may request certification (KRS 15.380(4), (5)). KLEC is covered on the Kentucky Officer Ledger page.
Statute
KRS chapter 196 (Department of Corrections; 196.037 gives DOC custody staff and probation and parole officers “all the authority and powers of peace officers”), chapter 197 (penitentiaries), chapter 439 (probation and parole), and chapter 441 (jails; standards 441.055, inspections 441.064, jail staff training 441.115). Rules: 501 KAR chapter 3 (jail standards), including 3:040 (personnel) and 3:160 (training).
Minimum standards
Jail staff: since 2023 the jail standards must allow people 18 or older to work inside the secure perimeter. A person under 21 may not be a deputy jailer, exercise peace officer powers, act in a deputy-jailer-like role, or supervise prisoners or people awaiting booking, and must have a high school diploma or equivalency (KRS 441.055; 501 KAR 3:040). KLEC-certified deputy jailers must meet the peace officer minimums in KRS 15.382. Minimum hiring standards for DOC correctional officers were not verified.
Basic training
Jail personnel: DOC must maintain a jail staff training program with basic and annual continuing education, including communicable-disease training, at no fee to jailers and deputies (KRS 441.115(1)). By rule, jail personnel must get medical awareness training within 30 days of hire, 4 hours of mental health training in the first year, and first aid and CPR within the first year; staff assigned to direct-supervision units need 40 hours of direct-supervision pre-service training (501 KAR 3:160, secs. 4 and 5). A newly elected jailer must complete a 40-hour new-jailer program to receive the $300 monthly training allowance (sec. 3). The hour length of DOC’s correctional officer academy was not verified.
In-service training
“Jail personnel shall receive a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours annual in-service training,” including 1 hour of mental health training a year after the first year and communicable-disease training (501 KAR 3:160, sec. 4). Jailers need 40 hours a year of DOC-approved in-service to keep the training expense allowance (sec. 3; KRS 441.115(2)). DOC’s Division of Corrections Training must “design, develop, and deliver preservice and in-service training programs” for corrections personnel (KRS 196.070(2)(b)); no hour figure for DOC staff was verified.
Decertification
KLEC revocation (KRS 15.391) applies to certified peace officers, including deputy jailers and county correctional services employees certified on their agency’s request; KLEC publishes no list of revoked officers (Officer Ledger page). No statutory revocation process for DOC training certificates for correctional, probation and parole, or jail staff was found.
Jail standards
DOC adopts the Jail Standards Commission’s recommendations as regulations setting minimum standards: full standards (health and safety, fire safety, operations, training curriculum, custody and care, medical care, construction) for counties that house state prisoners, and health and life-safety standards for counties that do not. The standards must be reviewed at least every two years (KRS 441.055). DOC “shall inspect each jail biannually and may inspect jails more frequently,” has access at any reasonable time, must give notice of health and safety deficiencies within 10 working days, and reports annually to the jailer and fiscal court (KRS 441.064).
Probation and parole officers
DOC employees. DOC exercises probation and parole functions under the commissioner (KRS 196.075). Officers acting in custody or supervision of probationers, parolees, and others under supervision “shall have all the authority and powers of peace officers” (KRS 196.037(3)). Training and certification come from DOC’s Division of Corrections Training (196.070). KRS 196.076 provides a salary improvement program for probation and parole officers.
Restrictive housing
A person in a jail, penitentiary, or other correctional or detention facility, residential center, or reentry center who is known to be pregnant, or in the six-week postpartum period (which a physician may extend for birth-related complications), “shall not be placed in restrictive housing, in administrative segregation, or in solitary confinement for medical observation”; a single cell or hospital room is still allowed (KRS 196.174). DOC must file an annual restricted housing report by January 31 with each person’s age, gender, ethnicity, reason, and dates in and out, published on the Legislative Research Commission website (KRS 196.176). No general duration limit was found.
Corrections use of force
Force by “a warden or other authorized official of a correctional institution” is justifiable when the official believes it necessary to enforce the institution’s lawful rules, the degree of force is not forbidden by statute, and any deadly force is otherwise justifiable under the code (KRS 503.110(2)). A person known to be pregnant “shall be restrained solely with handcuffs in front of her body unless further restraint is required to protect herself or others.” Except in an extraordinary circumstance (an immediate, credible serious threat of harm or an escape risk that cannot otherwise be reduced), no restraint may be used during labor, during transport to a medical facility or freestanding birthing center for delivery, or during postpartum recovery (KRS 196.173).

Changes, 2023 to 2026

  • Jail staff added to peer support counseling; assault on jail health care workers is third-degree assault

    2026 Ky. Acts ch. 28 (HB 188), amending KRS 65.1591 and 508.025Signed April 3, 2026; effective July 15, 2026

    The public safety employees eligible for confidential peer support counseling programs now include anyone who “Serves as a jailer, deputy jailer, or a correctional officer employed by a local detention center, local correctional facility, or regional jail.” Assault in the third degree, a felony, is expanded to physical injury caused or attempted against a health care provider in a jail, penitentiary, or other correctional or detention facility.

    For corrections staff: Local jail staff can use an agency peer support counseling program, and attacks on jail medical staff are a felony assault.

    HB 188 bill record HB 188 enacted text KRS 65.1591

  • Parole Board panels no longer must be unanimous, except two-member panels

    2026 Ky. Acts ch. 46 (HB 529), amending KRS 439.320 and 439.340Signed April 7, 2026; secs. 1 and 3, including KRS 439.320, effective on approval (emergency clause); the KRS 439.340 change effective July 15, 2026 (general effective date, computed)

    Since 2024, parole and final parole revocation hearings could be held by panels of 3 to 6 members, and “All members of the panel shall agree on a decision.” HB 529 drops unanimity for larger panels: a three-member panel decides 2 to 1, and a panel of four or more decides by majority. If a two-member panel is used, “both members of the panel shall agree on a decision.” Board members again serve staggered 4-year terms instead of serving at the Governor’s pleasure, so that no more than three terms expire in a given year; for one term expiring in 2026, the successor serves two years. Parole review eligibility moves from people with more than 90 days to serve to people with 180 or more days to serve (KRS 439.340).

    For corrections staff: Probation and parole officers presenting final revocation cases may appear before two-member panels that must agree, or larger panels that decide by majority.

    HB 529 bill record HB 529 enacted text

  • Jail personnel regulation lowers the minimum age from 21 to 18

    501 KAR 3:040 (Personnel), amended at 50 Ky.R. 1950Effective September 3, 2024

    The regulation implements the 2023 statute. The deleted sentence read “All persons who work inside the secure perimeter of the jail shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.” New Section 2 says “Persons who are at least eighteen (18) years old may be appointed or employed to work inside the secure perimeter of the jail.” Staff under 21 may not be deputy jailers, exercise peace officer powers, function like a deputy jailer or correctional officer, or supervise prisoners or people awaiting booking, and need a high school diploma or equivalency.

    For corrections staff: Jails may hire 18- to 20-year-olds for limited, non-supervisory roles inside the secure perimeter.

    501 KAR 3:040

  • Parole Board: unanimous panels, members serve at the Governor’s pleasure, violence-reduction conditions

    2024 Ky. Acts ch. 174 (HB 5, “Safer Kentucky” act), secs. 29, 30, 42, and 46, amending KRS 439.320, 439.330, 439.340, and 196.031Vetoed April 9, 2024; veto overridden April 12, 2024; effective July 15, 2024 (general effective date, computed; the act has no emergency or delayed effective-date clause for these sections)

    Before the act, a two-member Parole Board panel had to agree, a three-member panel decided 2 to 1, and a larger panel by majority. HB 5 required panels of 3 to 6 members and provided that “All members of the panel shall agree on a decision or the matter shall be referred to the full board.” Board members now serve at the pleasure of the Governor, for no more than four years without reappointment. As amended, KRS 439.330 grants parole on a two-thirds vote of the full board or by a panel, and KRS 439.340 lets a parole order require the person “to participate in a specific evidence-based program designed to reduce violence.” DOC’s annual report must add rates at which reentry program participants, and non-participants, are arrested, convicted, or returned to custody within three years of release. The act also revises the violent-offender definition in KRS 439.3401, which governs parole eligibility. The panel rule was relaxed in 2026 by HB 529.

    For corrections staff: Parole officers may see violence-reduction programs added as a parole condition, and reentry program outcomes are now reported each year.

    HB 5 bill record 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 174

  • Jails may hire 18-year-olds inside the secure perimeter, with limits until age 21

    2023 Ky. Acts ch. 44 (HB 164), amending KRS 441.055Signed March 21, 2023; effective June 29, 2023

    The jail standards DOC adopts must now allow people 18 or older who are otherwise qualified to work inside the secure perimeter of a jail, in counties that hold state prisoners and in those that do not. But “no person under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall be employed as a deputy jailer, possess or exercise peace officer powers, or function in a role similar to that of a deputy jailer,” or supervise inmates or persons yet to be booked. Staff under 21 must have a high school diploma or equivalency.

    For corrections staff: Only staff 21 and over may serve as deputy jailers or supervise inmates.

    HB 164 bill record HB 164 enacted text

Enacted, not yet in force, pending, and bills that did not pass

No enacted corrections law awaiting its effective date, and no pending corrections regulation, was found. Bills that did not pass were not separately listed.

Checked and unchanged

  • legislature.ky.gov (including its KRS effective-dates page) and corrections.ky.gov returned “The request is blocked.” Statutes, bill records, acts, and regulations here came from apps.legislature.ky.gov, the Legislative Research Commission’s official application host.
  • Not credited: KRS 196.173 (pregnant restraint) was amended by 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 121, effective June 27, 2025; the prior text was not compared, so the exact change, which appears to add freestanding birthing centers, is not recorded as an entry.
  • Not verified: the hour length and hiring standards for the DOC correctional officer and probation and parole academies.

Bills in the legislature

Bills in the current session whose title concerns corrections officers, jails, probation and parole, and conditions of confinement, found automatically in LegiScan's copy of the legislature's records and refreshed daily (last on October 21, 2026). This list is not reviewed by an editor and is not a summary of the bills; each links to the legislature's own page, which controls. Bills that become law are added to the dated entries above once checked.

The law, section by section

Every section of the statutes and rules this page relies on that could be read from an official source, 285 in all, each linked to the official text. Headings are copied from the official tables of contents, checked October 21, 2026.

Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 196: CorrectionsStatute · 66 sections

Official text current through KRS chapter page: "Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session"; KRS database last updated 10/20/2026 (read 2026-10-21). Full chapter as listed on the LRC chapter page; repealed, renumbered and expired entries (34) omitted. KRS ch. 196, official text

CHAPTER 196 CORRECTIONS

CHAPTER 196 CORRECTIONS -- General Provisions

  • 196.026 Organizational units of Department of Corrections.
  • 196.030 Functions of Department of Corrections.
  • 196.031 Employment of personnel -- Annual report.
  • 196.032 Department's objectives.
  • 196.035 Powers and duties of secretary.
  • 196.037 Department personnel to have powers of peace officers.
  • 196.042 Criminal justice reinvestment fund -- Annual funds appropriations -- Dedicated use of funds.
  • 196.044 Annual calculations of cost savings resulting from 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 158 -- Deposit in criminal justice reinvestment fund.
  • 196.045 Administrative regulations for restoration of civil rights to eligible felony offenders.
  • 196.065 Forensic psychiatric facility -- Initiation of mental hospitalization proceedings against inmate.
  • 196.070 Duties of commissioner of Department of Corrections -- Training programs.
  • 196.073 Governor's authority to authorize commissioner to consent to transfer of convicted offenders under federal treaty.
  • 196.075 Probation and parole functions.
  • 196.076 Probation and parole officer salary improvement program.
  • 196.091 Online system based on state statistics of offenders for use in plea negotiations and sentencing.
  • 196.093 Duties of Department of Corrections in regard to centralized criminal history record information system.
  • 196.097 Department of Corrections to update database within thirty days of receipt of information from certain levels.
  • 196.099 Photographic record of inmates.
  • 196.110 Department to study crime prevention methods -- Encourage employment of inmates.
  • 196.111 Evidence-based practices to be used in treatment and intervention programs -- Standards -- Funding restrictions.
  • 196.120 Department may acquire farm lands.
  • 196.130 University to investigate lands that department wishes to acquire.
  • 196.135 Compliance with KRS 100.361(2) required, when.
  • 196.140 Condemnation by department.
  • 196.150 Department may use money received from federal government.
  • 196.160 Appointment of personnel for each institution -- Dress and grooming requirements -- Contributions to hazardous duty retirement program -- Career retention program.
  • 196.165 Purchase of liability insurance for department's health care professionals.
  • 196.167 Transfer of employees, property, and records associated with inmate education from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to the department -- Employee benefits.
  • 196.171 Corrections personnel to take educational course on AIDS.
  • 196.173 Pregnant inmates housed in jail, penitentiary, local or state correctional or detention facility, residential center, or reentry center -- Permissible and impermissible restraints.
  • 196.174 Housing of inmate known to be pregnant or in immediate post-partum period -- Definition.
  • 196.175 Pregnant inmate -- Access to community-based programs -- Social worker to discuss options for care, feeding, and placement of infant -- Inmate's access to telephone -- Facility to provide nutrition and hygiene-related products for care of infant free of charge to indigent inmate.
  • 196.176 Annual report on restricted housing of inmates to Legislative Research Commission and Judiciary Committee -- Report to be published on Legislative Research Commission's Web site.
  • 196.180 Duties of warden -- Removal -- Expungement of dismissed or voided disciplinary reports.
  • 196.190 Duties of receiver.
  • 196.210 Members of board not to recommend employees -- Officers to be selected for merit.
  • 196.220 Employees in institutions exempt from attendance as witnesses.
  • 196.230 Officers not to sell to institutions -- Additional compensation and gifts forbidden.
  • 196.245 Commissioner may permit or prohibit smoking by inmates.
  • 196.270 Centralized canteen operation -- Management -- Use of proceeds.
  • 196.280 Notification of release of person from penitentiary, facility for youthful offenders, regional jail, or county jail -- Escape.
  • 196.281 Documentation provided to prisoners upon release -- Issuance of certificate of employability -- Eligibility, contents, and revocation.
  • 196.282 Resumé writing
  • 196.285 Intensive secured substance abuse recovery program.
  • 196.286 Measurement and documentation of cost savings from 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 2, secs. 5 to 22 -- Average cost of incarceration -- Savings to benefit treatment programs -- Budget requests and enactments.
  • 196.287 Portion of savings identified in KRS 196.286 to be used to expand treatment programs in existing state penal institutions.
  • 196.288 Allocations of funding to certain funds and programs.

CHAPTER 196 CORRECTIONS -- Interstate Corrections Compact

  • 196.610 Interstate Corrections Compact.
  • 196.620 Commissioner's powers as to compact.

CHAPTER 196 CORRECTIONS -- Community Corrections Programs

  • 196.700 Definitions for KRS 196.700 to 196.735.
  • 196.701 Kentucky State Corrections Commission -- Membership.
  • 196.702 Functions of the commission.
  • 196.703 Inspection powers of commission.
  • 196.704 Commission's duties relating to Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program.
  • 196.705 Administration of programs by Kentucky State Corrections Commission -- Purposes of programs.
  • 196.710 Awarding of grants -- Criteria.
  • 196.715 Services for targeted offenders -- Assessment of victims' needs.
  • 196.720 Plan requirements.
  • 196.725 Community corrections boards -- Membership -- Meetings -- Duties.
  • 196.730 Restriction on use of funds.
  • 196.731 Pilot projects to grant performance incentive funding to community corrections programs -- Annual calculations of cost savings of state funds.
  • 196.732 Community corrections funds -- Deposit of state funds saved via pilot projects -- Purposes of appropriated funds.
  • 196.735 Annual evaluation -- Renewal or continuation of programs.
  • 196.736 Annual report on implementation of pilot projects instituted pursuant to KRS 196.731.

CHAPTER 196 CORRECTIONS -- Penalties

Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 197: PenitentiariesStatute · 51 sections

Official text current through KRS chapter page: "Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session"; KRS database last updated 10/20/2026 (read 2026-10-21). Full chapter as listed on the LRC chapter page; repealed, renumbered and expired entries (8) omitted. KRS ch. 197, official text

CHAPTER 197 PENITENTIARIES

  • 197.010 Definitions for chapter.
  • 197.020 Administrative regulations to be promulgated by Department of Corrections -- Fee for use of medical facilities -- Reimbursement of telehealth consultations -- Use of jail medical facilities by state prisoner governed by KRS 441.045 -- Department not required to promulgate administrative regulations regarding death penalty -- Public posting on website.
  • 197.022 Personal attendance of state prisoner in civil action -- Transportation orders -- Payment of costs -- Participation of prisoner in action by alternative methods allowed.
  • 197.023 Duty to maintain grievance reports -- Open record -- Content -- Destruction.
  • 197.025 Restrictions on access to inmate and facility records -- Appeal procedure -- Restrictions on access to policies and procedure.
  • 197.030 Department may contract for construction of railroads on penitentiary property.
  • 197.035 Computation of consecutive or concurrent sentence.
  • 197.041 Credit for period confined on reversal and second conviction.
  • 197.045 Credit on sentence for prior confinement, educational accomplishment, good behavior, or meritorious service -- Requirement of completion of sex offender treatment program for eligible sexual offenders -- Forfeiture of credit for certain dismissals of inmates' civil actions -- Payments for jails upon prisoner completion of department-approved program and sentence credit.
  • 197.047 Credit on sentence for work on governmental services program-related project -- Eligibility -- Computation of credit -- Forfeiture of credit.
  • 197.050 Warden to inform prisoners of law on escapes.
  • 197.055 Education program on AIDS -- Policies for inmates -- Testing program.
  • 197.057 Course for inmates on prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma.
  • 197.065 Classification and segregation of prisoners in penal institutions -- Transfer between institutions.
  • 197.070 Employment of prisoners -- Manufacture of clothing -- Industrial training.
  • 197.105 Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) -- Lease of labor of state prisoners within department's facilities for production of nonagricultural goods for sale to public and private buyers.
  • 197.110 Administrative regulations relating to classification, work, and pay of prisoners.
  • 197.120 Employment of prisoners by other state agencies -- Restriction.
  • 197.130 Prisoners not to be required to work outside prison -- Exceptions.
  • 197.140 Prisoners not eligible to be worked outside prison.
  • 197.150 Prisoners or dependents to receive compensation for work outside prison -- Prisoners with dependents to have preference.
  • 197.160 Governor or his designee to approve contracts.
  • 197.170 Release of prisoner -- Parties to be notified -- Means of providing notice -- Posting of notice received by law enforcement officers.
  • 197.175 Release of prisoners on first day of month of sentence expiration.
  • 197.180 Clothing and transportation to be furnished convict upon release.
  • 197.200 Department may establish facilities for manufacture of products for use of governmental agencies.
  • 197.210 Purchases of prison-made products by state agencies and political subdivisions.
  • 197.220 Priority of state agencies in obtaining prison-made products.
  • 197.230 Prices.
  • 197.240 Use of moneys from sale of products.
  • 197.250 Contracts for equipment, tools, supplies, and materials.
  • 197.270 Voluntary chaplain program.
  • 197.275 Access to religious publications or instructional materials.
  • 197.280 Definitions for section -- Restrictions on providing cosmetic service or elective procedure to inmates -- Exceptions.
  • 197.290 Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program -- Location -- Program availability to inmates -- Responsibilities of department and KCTCS -- Administrative regulations -- Program requirements.
  • 197.292 Memoranda of agreement between department and Kentucky Community and Technical College System -- Duties and responsibilities of department -- Duties and responsibilities of KCTCS -- Limitation.

CHAPTER 197 PENITENTIARIES -- Treatment Program for Sexual Offenders

  • 197.400 Specialized treatment program for sexual offenders.
  • 197.410 Definitions of "sexual offender," "eligible sexual offender," and "department."
  • 197.420 Department of Corrections to administer program -- Treatment in inpatient and outpatient environments -- Transfer -- Staff -- Data collection.
  • 197.430 Agreements with public or private agencies.
  • 197.440 Sexual offender's communications which are privileged.

CHAPTER 197 PENITENTIARIES -- Privatization of Prisons

  • 197.500 Definitions for KRS 197.505 to 197.525.
  • 197.505 Privatization of prisons -- Maintenance of designated security level of the facility -- Locations restricted.
  • 197.510 Terms of contract -- Budget -- Annual audit -- Space requirements -- Staffing requirements -- Failure to provide required services, products, or facilities.
  • 197.515 Performance evaluations.
  • 197.520 Experience requirements.
  • 197.525 Regulatory authority of department.
  • 197.530 Assessment of fine or penalty against private provider -- Notice -- Hearing -- Appeal.
  • 197.535 Authority of persons acting as private provider.
  • 197.540 Irrevocable letter of credit as substitute for performance bond -- Protection of state's interest in continual level of prison beds.

CHAPTER 197 PENITENTIARIES -- Penalties

Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 439: Probation and ParoleStatute · 81 sections

Official text current through KRS chapter page: "Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session"; KRS database last updated 10/20/2026 (read 2026-10-21). Full chapter as listed on the LRC chapter page; repealed, renumbered and expired entries (50) omitted. KRS ch. 439, official text

CHAPTER 439 PROBATION AND PAROLE

  • 439.177 Parole privileges for certain misdemeanants -- Duties of sentencing judge.
  • 439.179 Release of misdemeanants -- Purposes for which permitted -- Earnings of prisoner, records, and disposition -- Authority of District Judge and jailer.
  • 439.250 Definitions for KRS 439.250 to 439.560.
  • 439.265 Shock probation in felony conviction -- Procedure -- Exclusions -- Comprehensive sex offender presentence evaluation -- Exercise of authority.
  • 439.267 Shock probation in misdemeanor convictions -- Procedure -- Exercise of authority -- Availability for sexual offenders.
  • 439.268 Probation program credits.
  • 439.310 Administration of probation and parole laws.
  • 439.3101 Administrative regulations requiring supervision and treatment in accordance with evidence-based practices.
  • 439.3102 Training and professional development for department personnel concerning implementation of evidence-based practices.
  • 439.3103 Annual report on efforts to implement evidence-based practices to reduce recidivism -- Administrative regulations.
  • 439.3104 Duties of department concerning risk and needs assessment instrument.
  • 439.3105 Administrative caseload supervision program for supervised offenders -- Administrative regulations.
  • 439.3106 Sanctions to which supervised individuals are subject.
  • 439.3107 System of graduated sanctions for violations of conditions of community supervision -- Administrative regulations.
  • 439.3108 Modification of conditions of community supervision -- Department to reimburse local correctional or detention facilities or residential centers -- Imposition of graduated sanctions.
  • 439.3109 Quarterly review of recommended confinement sanctions.
  • 439.3110 Pregnancy release conditions for eligible persons reasonably believed to have a substance use disorder.
  • 439.315 Payment of fee by released person -- Amount -- Waiver of payment -- Applicable to persons released by county containing a city of the first class or urban-county government.
  • 439.320 Parole Board -- Member qualifications, terms, compensation -- Chairperson -- Administrative regulations -- Quorum.
  • 439.330 Duties of board.
  • 439.331 Risk and needs assessment of criminal risk factors of parole-eligible inmates.
  • 439.335 Scientific means of personality analysis to be used to establish level, intensity, terms, and conditions of supervision.
  • 439.340 Parole of prisoners confined in adult penal or correctional institutions, halfway houses, and reentry centers -- Notice of prisoner's parole to be given to certain law enforcement officers, and to victims or their next of kin.
  • 439.3401 Violent offenders -- Conditions for release -- Applicability of section to victim of domestic violence or abuse -- Time of offense -- Prohibition against award of credit.
  • 439.3402 Exemption from KRS 439.3401 for victims of domestic violence and abuse -- Procedures -- Effect.
  • 439.3403 Reconsideration of parole of inmate given deferment or serve-out longer than sixty months -- Exceptions -- Hearings.
  • 439.3405 Parole of prisoners with documented terminal medical conditions -- Hearing.
  • 439.3406 Mandatory reentry supervision six months prior to projected completion date of inmate's sentence for inmate not granted discretionary parole -- Exceptions -- Terms of supervision -- No credit for time absconding -- Report.
  • 439.3407 Conditional parole of state inmates to be served in local correctional facility, jail, or reentry center -- Administrative regulations -- Work release.
  • 439.3408 Department to approve any acceptable housing for parolees.
  • 439.341 Probable cause revocation hearings of probation, parole, and postincarceration supervision violators.
  • 439.342 Retention of prisoner on parole.
  • 439.344 Effect of parole time on sentence -- Exceptions.
  • 439.345 Compliance credits for eligible parolees -- Definitions -- Administrative regulations.
  • 439.346 Prisoner paroled or under postincarceration supervision subject to orders of board.
  • 439.348 Paroled prisoner under supervision of department -- Cessation.
  • 439.352 Recommitment of supervised individual on parole or post-release supervision -- Effect.
  • 439.354 Final discharge of paroled prisoner -- Conditions.
  • 439.356 Final discharge -- Effect.
  • 439.358 Final discharge provisions -- Application.
  • 439.370 Commonwealth's attorney to cause to be transmitted to the institution a concise statement of facts adduced at trial or hearing.
  • 439.380 Prison officials to furnish members of board with access to prisoner, facilities for communicating with prisoner, reports and other facts.
  • 439.390 Board may issue subpoenas -- Penalty for false testimony or failure to comply with subpoena -- Circuit Court may compel the attendance of witnesses, production of documents and giving of testimony before board.
  • 439.410 Board's order to be sufficient authority to officer in charge of state penal institution to release from custody paroled or conditionally released prisoner.
  • 439.420 Person out on parole not to be required to wear regulation dress of penitentiary.
  • 439.430 Parole officer may arrest parolee or person subject to postincarceration supervision, when -- Detention -- Report to commissioner -- Return of prisoner to prison -- Prisoner for whose return a warrant has been issued to be deemed a fugitive from justice -- Effect of violation of parole.
  • 439.440 Prisoner returned to state custody for violation of release to be heard by board -- Time.
  • 439.450 Board to make investigation and report to Governor.
  • 439.470 Powers and duties of commissioner.
  • 439.480 Duties of probation and parole officers.
  • 439.483 Training of probation and parole officers regarding sexual offender registration laws -- Necessary documents.
  • 439.485 Probation and parole officer's position considered hazardous duty for retirement purposes.
  • 439.500 Prohibited activities of probation and parole officers.
  • 439.510 Information obtained by probation or parole officer to be privileged -- Exception.
  • 439.540 Powers of department.
  • 439.550 Probation by District Court -- Supervision by Department of Corrections, or by adult misdemeanant probation and work release agency of urban-county government.
  • 439.551 Graduated sanctions for probation violations -- Administrative regulations.
  • 439.552 Early termination of probation -- Administrative regulations.
  • 439.553 Judicial determination of conditions of community supervision.
  • 439.555 Conditional release of certain prisoners.

CHAPTER 439 PROBATION AND PAROLE -- Interstate Adult Offender Supervision

  • 439.561 Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision.
  • 439.562 Kentucky Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision -- Membership -- Meetings -- Reimbursement -- Administrative regulations.
  • 439.563 Restitution as condition of parole -- Board order -- Effect on length of parole.
  • 439.570 Persons accepted for supervision under compact subject to arrest and detention -- Notice to sending state -- Applicability of supervision fee and of drug testing and substance abuse treatment fee.
  • 439.575 Prerelease probation of inmates program.

CHAPTER 439 PROBATION AND PAROLE -- Community Residential Correctional Centers

  • 439.580 Definitions for KRS 439.590 to 439.630.
  • 439.590 Community residential correctional centers.
  • 439.600 Extension of limits of place of confinement -- Conditions.
  • 439.610 Conduct constituting escape from custody.
  • 439.620 Employment for prisoner -- Considerations in securing.
  • 439.630 Scope of commissioner's authority.

CHAPTER 439 PROBATION AND PAROLE -- Vocational Training For Prisoners

  • 439.640 Vocational training program for prisoners -- Eligibility for compensation -- Commissioner to recommend regulations.

CHAPTER 439 PROBATION AND PAROLE -- Reentry Drug Supervision Pilot Program

  • 439.650 Definitions for KRS 439.650 to 439.657.
  • 439.651 Reentry drug supervision pilot program -- Duration -- Elements -- Evaluation -- Reports -- Administrative regulations.
  • 439.652 Administration and oversight of pilot program -- Reentry team members, training, and functions -- Confidentiality of proceedings -- Exception.
  • 439.653 Referral of inmates or parolees to pilot program -- Substance use disorder assessments -- Factors to be considered -- Conditions of referral.
  • 439.654 Structure and content of pilot program.
  • 439.655 Suspension from and resumption of pilot program participation.
  • 439.656 Effect of failure of participant to complete pilot program through no fault of his or her own.
  • 439.657 Voluntary termination from pilot program.

CHAPTER 439 PROBATION AND PAROLE -- Penalties

Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 441: Jails and County PrisonersStatute · 69 sections

Official text current through KRS chapter page: "Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session"; KRS database last updated 10/20/2026 (read 2026-10-21). Full chapter as listed on the LRC chapter page; repealed, renumbered and expired entries (51) omitted. KRS ch. 441, official text

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS -- Operation and Management of Local Correctional Facilities

  • 441.025 County responsibility for incarceration of prisoners.
  • 441.035 United States and cities may use county jails.
  • 441.045 Rules for jails -- Inspection by county judge/executive -- Medical, dental, and psychological care for prisoners -- Funds not to lapse -- Fee for use of jail medical facilities by state prisoner -- Payments to counties not to exceed Medicaid rate -- Transportation of prisoners for health care -- Responsibility for health care expenses.
  • 441.046 Persons in adult or juvenile detention facility to be fingerprinted -- Failure of jailer to comply.
  • 441.047 Psychiatric and similar services for criminal defendants.
  • 441.048 Screening for mental health risk issues upon admittance to detention.
  • 441.052 Insurance coverage of prisoner -- Subrogation of rights to Department of Corrections' contractee for medical and pharmaceutical services.
  • 441.053 Required use of the Department of Corrections' pharmacy plan and medical, dental, and psychological care access plan -- Waivers -- Appeal -- Reimbursement not to exceed Medicaid rate.
  • 441.055 Regulation of jails -- Adoption and revision of standards -- Classification of jails.
  • 441.064 Responsibilities of department -- Jail inspections -- Access to jails -- Reports.
  • 441.075 Violation of regulations -- Orders and sanctions -- Procedures for orders.
  • 441.085 Violation of regulations prohibited -- Department may seek court order -- Civil contempt penalty.
  • 441.095 Appeals.
  • 441.105 Reports to fiscal court and department by jailer.
  • 441.111 Possession and use of cell phones by jailer, deputy jailers, attorneys, and non-lawyer assistants.
  • 441.115 Jail staff training program -- Jailer's training expense for allowance -- Eligibility for allowance.
  • 441.125 Working of prisoners at community-service-related projects -- Written policy -- Prisoner's status not employment.
  • 441.127 Service credits for work in community service program or within jail, for receipt of GED or high school diploma, for participation in drug treatment program, for exceptionally meritorious service, or for good behavior -- Withdrawal of earned credits for misconduct.
  • 441.135 Canteen for prisoners -- Use of profits -- Books of accounts -- Allowable expenditures -- Jail canteen account balance -- Calculation.
  • 441.137 Balance in inmate account or prisoner canteen account -- Return of balance -- Abandoned moneys.
  • 441.141 Voluntary chaplain program.
  • 441.145 Access to religious publications or instructional materials.
  • 441.146 Operation of reentry center for eligible inmates.
  • 441.148 Administrative regulations prescribing standards for operation of reentry centers.

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS -- County Jail Budget and Funding

  • 441.206 State contribution for jail -- Allocation -- Payments to be made annually -- Use of funds.
  • 441.207 Local corrections assistance fund -- Annual distributions to counties.
  • 441.215 Jail budget preparation.
  • 441.225 Expenditures from jail budget -- Payment of jail personnel.
  • 441.235 Jail accounts and financial records.
  • 441.245 Salary for jailer who operates full-service jail -- Fiscal court to annually detail the duties and compensation of jailer not subject to salary schedule -- Jailer's quarterly reports.
  • 441.255 Cost of incarceration when change of venue granted.
  • 441.265 Required reimbursement by prisoner of costs of confinement -- Waiver of outstanding expenses and reimbursement if prisoner not convicted -- Local policy of fee and expense rates -- Adjustments to per diem rate -- Billing and collection methods.

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS -- Jail Facilities

  • 441.415 Definitions for KRS 441.420 to 441.450.
  • 441.420 Approval of construction plans required -- Department to pay for architectural plans and engineering services -- Fee schedule.
  • 441.430 Application, review, and approval of plans for new local correctional facility -- Delay of final decision -- Prerequisites for approval -- Review of architectural plans by department's jail consultants.
  • 441.440 Alterations of plans or construction restricted -- Exceptions.
  • 441.450 Approval required for remodeling or reconstruction of existing facilities -- When approval not required.

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS -- Transfer and Transporting of Prisoners

  • 441.505 Fiscal court to provide for transportation of prisoners -- Security requirements.
  • 441.510 Transporting to and from detention facility.
  • 441.520 Transfer of prisoners to secure jail -- Circuit Judge may order -- Agreement between originating jail and receiving jail -- Restrictions on receiving jail -- Transport by sheriff -- Review of transfer order by Circuit Judge.
  • 441.530 Manner of transfer -- Compensation of officers -- Computation of expenses.
  • 441.540 Prisoner transferred to penitentiary when violence threatened -- Officer's compensation.
  • 441.550 Expense of keeping and dieting prisoner transferred to penitentiary or reformatory -- Who pays.
  • 441.560 Transfer of prisoners for medical treatment.

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS -- Jail Construction Authority

  • 441.605 Definitions.
  • 441.610 Legislative intent -- Additional and alternative nature.
  • 441.615 Kentucky Local Correctional Facilities Construction Authority -- Membership -- Corporate character -- Officers -- Staff -- Records.
  • 441.620 Valid signatures or facsimiles on bonds -- Quorum -- Meetings -- Bylaws -- Regulations.
  • 441.625 General powers of authority -- Authorization for revenue bonds and revenue bond anticipation notes.
  • 441.630 Contents of agreement between authority and local government -- Limits of authority's financial participation in projects.
  • 441.635 Leases between authority and local governments authorized -- Contents.
  • 441.640 Revenue bonds issued by authority -- Limits on first issue -- Provisions for delivery of bond or note certificates.
  • 441.645 Revenue bonds are not debt of Commonwealth.
  • 441.650 Trust indenture to secure bonds.
  • 441.655 Rights and remedies of bondholders.
  • 441.660 Status of authority's bonds as investments.
  • 441.665 Authority may issue revenue refunding bonds -- Purposes.
  • 441.670 Application of authority's revenues -- Purposes.
  • 441.675 Authority's property, income, revenues and bonds are tax-exempt.
  • 441.680 Conveyance of property by authority.
  • 441.685 Local Correctional Facilities Construction Authority fund -- Use of funds -- Investments.
  • 441.690 Projects exempt from KRS 56.440 to 56.540 and KRS 45A.045.
  • 441.695 Reports of authority -- Audits -- Authority's audits to be public records.

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS -- Regional Jail Authorities

  • 441.800 Creation of regional jail authority -- Powers of authority.
  • 441.810 Composition of authority -- Appointment -- Terms.
  • 441.820 Court facilities in regional jail.

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS -- Evacuation and Relocation Plans

  • 441.840 Department of Corrections protocol -- Local and regional jail plans -- Failure to meet standards.

CHAPTER 441 JAILS AND COUNTY PRISONERS -- Penalties

Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 503: General Principles of Justification (section 503.110 only)Statute · 1 section

Official text current through KRS chapter page: "Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session"; KRS database last updated 10/20/2026 (read 2026-10-21). Partial list: only the section the page cites for force by correctional officials (503.110, use of force by persons with special responsibilities); the rest of the chapter is general criminal-law justification. KRS 503.110, official text

CHAPTER 503 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF JUSTIFICATION

  • 503.110 Use of force by person with responsibility for care, discipline, or safety of others.
Kentucky Administrative Regulations, Title 501, Chapter 3: Jail Standards for Full-service FacilitiesRules · 17 sections

Official text current through LRC KAR chapter listing (status "Current"), read 2026-10-21. Only regulations marked "Current" are listed. 501 KAR Chapter 3, official text

Title 501 | Chapter 003 - Jail Standards for Full-service Facilities

Other provisions the page cites but not listed here: KRS 15.380 to 15.391 and 15.382 (KLEC peace officer certification, listed in the Officer Ledger library). Related jail-standards regulation chapters not cited on the page and not listed: 501 KAR chapters 7 (restricted custody centers) and 13 (life safety jails).

USCLI's source monitor re-reads the 23 official sources cited on this page around the clock; 1 answered unchanged at their latest check. The oldest of those checks was on October 21, 2026.

Last updated October 21, 2026Source: United States Council for Law & InvestigationCite as: United States Council for Law & Investigation, “Kentucky corrections law: Corrections Ledger,” uscli.org/corrections-tracker/kentucky (last updated October 21, 2026). Text licensed CC BY 4.0.