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This page lists all 123 county jails in Kentucky. You can browse by county below, search for specific facilities, or navigate to related pages.
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About County Jails in Kentucky
Understanding county jails in the Kentucky
Welcome to the most complete and up-to-date directory of county jails and correctional facilities in Kentucky. This page lists every active county-level detention facility operating across Kentucky, providing families, attorneys, bail bondsmen, social workers, and the general public with fast, reliable access to accurate information about county-level incarceration. County jails are often the first longer-term facility a person is sent to after initial arrest and police booking, making this directory essential for anyone trying to locate a recently arrested loved one.
What Are County Jails and How Do They Work?
County jails in Kentucky are local correctional facilities operated by the county sheriff's office or county department of corrections. They serve as the primary point of longer-term detention for individuals awaiting trial, unable to make bail, or serving shorter sentences for misdemeanor offenses.
The county jail system is decentralized — each county operates its own facility tailored to its population size, court system, and law enforcement needs. This means county jails vary significantly in size, capacity, programming, and conditions.
How County Jails Differ From Other Facilities
- County Jails: Operated by sheriff's office. Hold pretrial detainees, those unable to make bail, misdemeanor sentences under one year.
- City/Municipal Jails: Operated by city police. Shorter holds immediately after arrest before county transfer.
- Police Lockups: Short-term holding (24-72 hours) during initial booking and processing.
- State Prisons: Operated by Kentucky's DOC for felony sentences over one year.
- Federal Prisons: Operated by Federal Bureau of Prisons for federal crimes.
Types of County Correctional Facilities
- County Jail: Standard county detention facility serving the general pretrial and sentenced misdemeanor population.
- County Correctional Center: Larger facility with expanded programming, multiple housing units, and specialized services.
- County Detention Center: Often houses higher proportion of pretrial detainees or federal contract inmates.
- County Work Release Center: Minimum-security allowing day employment with evening return.
- County Medical/Mental Health Facility: Specialized units for inmates requiring ongoing medical or mental health care.
- County Honor Farm: Minimum-security where inmates perform outdoor work assignments.
How to Use This Directory
- Browse the full directory of all county jails in Kentucky by scrolling below.
- Filter by county using the dropdown to narrow results to a specific county.
- Switch states using the state selector to load county jails in any other US state.
- Click any facility to open its dedicated page with contact details and inmate search.
- Locate an inmate using the search feature on any facility page or our main inmate locator.
Finding an Inmate in a County Jail
County jails maintain their own inmate databases, and most offer online inmate lookup tools through the county sheriff's website. The fastest way to find someone is to identify the county where they were arrested using the directory below, then visit that facility's dedicated page to use the inmate search feature. You can also use our free US inmate locator tool to search across all county jails simultaneously.
Visitation
Policies vary considerably — some jails offer in-person contact visits, others have non-contact or video visitation only. Check visitation rules for the specific facility before planning a visit. Click any facility to view its complete visitation guidelines.
Calling an Inmate
Phone calls are outbound only from pre-approved numbers. Your number must be registered with the facility's phone provider and a prepaid account funded. Read our calling guide for complete setup instructions.
Getting Bail
Once bail is set at arraignment, pay it directly to the county jail or court, or work with a licensed bail bondsman who will post bail for a fee of 10-15% of the total amount.
Programs Available
Larger county jails typically offer GED and literacy programs, substance abuse counseling, religious services, and sometimes vocational training. Program availability varies significantly by facility size and resources.
Sheriff's Role
In most counties, the sheriff's office operates and manages the county jail. The sheriff is accountable for safe, humane, and legally compliant operation, including staffing, programming, medical services, and state/federal compliance.
Release & Reentry
Release can happen through bail, sentence completion, dismissal of charges, or court order. The transition back to daily life requires planning for employment, family reconnection, court-ordered supervision, and financial stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
County Jails by County in Kentucky
View facilities organized by county
Filter County Jails by County
Kentucky has County Jails spread across dozens of counties, and finding the right one quickly can be challenging without the right tools. Use the county list below to instantly narrow results and view only the County Jails in a specific county within Kentucky. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to locate someone who was recently arrested in a specific area, or if you are planning a visit and need to find the closest facility to your location.
All County Jails in Kentucky
Complete listing of county jails
Browse the Complete List of County Jails in Kentucky
The full directory of county jails and correctional facilities in Kentucky is displayed below. Every active county-operated detention facility is included in this listing. Each entry includes the facility name, operating county, location, address, security classification, and contact information. County jails are operated by the county sheriff's office or county department of corrections and serve as the primary detention facility for the county's pretrial population and sentenced misdemeanor offenders.
| Facility Name | County | Action |
|---|---|---|
|
Green County KY Jail
203 West Court St, Greensburg, KY 42743
|
Green | View Details |
|
Greenup County Detention Center
100 Laurel St, Greenup, KY 41144
|
Greenup | View Details |
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Hancock County KY Jail
225 Main Cross St North
PO Box 580, Hawesville, KY 42348
|
Hancock | View Details |
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Hardin County KY Detention Center
100 Lawson Blvd
PO Box 1390, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
|
Hardin | View Details |
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Harlan County KY Detention Center
6000 Hwy 38, Evarts, KY 40828
|
Harlan | View Details |
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Harrison County KY Jail
115 Court St, Cynthiana, KY 41031
|
Harrison | View Details |
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Hart County KY Jail
520 Fairground Road
PO Box 670, Munfordville, KY 42765
|
Hart | View Details |
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Henderson County KY Detention Center
380 Borax Drive, Henderson, KY 42420
|
Henderson | View Details |
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Henry County KY Jail
30 North Main St
PO Box 752, New Castle, KY 40050
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Henry | View Details |
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Hickman County KY Detention Center
55 US Hwy 51 North
PO Box 260, Clinton, KY 42031
|
Hickman | View Details |
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Hopkins County KY Jail
2250 Laffoon Trail
PO Box 1030, Madisonville, KY 42431
|
Hopkins | View Details |
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Jackson County KY Jail
Main St
PO Box 909, McKee, KY 40447
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Jackson | View Details |
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Jefferson County Metropolitan Corrections
400 S. 6th St, Louisville, KY 40202
|
Jefferson | View Details |
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Jessamine County Detention Center
229 East Maple St, Nicholasville, KY 40356
|
Jessamine | View Details |
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Kenton County Detention Center
3000 Decker Crane Lane, Covington, KY 41011
|
Kenton | View Details |
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Knott County Jail
30 Justice Center Drive|PO Box 505, Hindman, KY 41822
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Knott | View Details |
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Knox County KY Detention Center
103 Jail St, Barbourville, KY 40906-1423
|
Knox | View Details |
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Larue County Detention Center
209 West High St, Hodgenville, KY 42748
|
Larue | View Details |
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Laurel County KY Detention Center
206 W 4th St, London, KY 40741
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Laurel | View Details |
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Lawrence County KY Correctional
122 North Main Cross St
PO Box 566, Louisa, KY 41230
|
Lawrence | View Details |
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Lee County KY Jail
19 West Main St, Beattyville, KY 41311
|
Lee | View Details |
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Leslie County KY Detention Center
22010 Main St, Hyden, KY 41749
|
Leslie | View Details |
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Letcher County Jail
156 Main St, Whitesburg, KY 41858
|
Letcher | View Details |
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Lewis County KY Detention Center
509 Railroad St, Vanceburg, KY 41179
|
Lewis | View Details |
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Lincoln County KY Regional Jail
100 Lancaster St, Stanford, KY 40484
|
Lincoln | View Details |
County Jails in Other States
Browse county jails in other states
Explore County Jails in Other States
Looking for county jails beyond Kentucky? We've got you covered. Use the state selectors below to instantly switch to a full directory of county jails in any other US state. Whether you need to look up facilities in a neighboring state or search across the country, our nationwide directory makes it simple to find the information you need in just a few clicks.