FAQs for Families

For Kentucky state inmates, use the Kentucky Offender Management System (KOMS) Inmate Search at kool.corrections.ky.gov. For federal inmates, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc. If your loved one was recently sentenced, it may take several days before they appear in the system as transfers are processed.

Most facilities use third-party services such as JPay, Access Corrections, or TouchPay. You can typically send funds online, by phone, or via money order. Be aware that fees vary and transactions can take 1–3 business days. Contact the specific facility for their approved vendors and limits.

Visitation rules differ by facility. Generally, you must be on your loved one’s approved visitor list, present a valid government-issued ID, follow dress code requirements, and schedule visits in advance. Contact the facility directly or check their website for current visitation hours and procedures.

Phone and video calls are usually managed through contracted providers like Securus Technologies or ICSolutions. You will need to create an account, add funds, and link your phone number. Rates vary — the FCC has regulations in place to cap costs. Video visits may be available through the same platform.

Yes, but all mail is subject to inspection. Letters must typically be on plain paper with no stickers, glitter, or perfume. Books are usually only accepted when mailed directly from the publisher or an approved vendor. Care packages, if allowed, must come from approved vendors specified by the facility.

Incarcerated individuals retain certain constitutional rights including protection from cruel and unusual punishment, access to medical care, the right to practice their religion, and access to the courts. If you believe their rights are being violated, contact a prison rights organization or a civil rights attorney.

For appeals or post-conviction matters, seek attorneys who specialize in criminal appeals or civil rights. Legal aid organizations may provide free or low-cost services. Law school clinics are another resource. Organizations like the Innocence Project handle wrongful conviction cases at no cost. Your state bar association can provide referrals.

Facilities are legally required to provide medical care. In serious situations, the facility should notify you. If you are not being informed or feel care is inadequate, contact the facility’s health services department, the warden’s office, or your state’s Department of Corrections. In urgent situations, contact a civil rights attorney immediately.

Honesty, age-appropriate language, and consistency are key. Children need reassurance that they are loved and that the incarceration is not their fault. Maintaining contact between the child and the incarcerated parent through letters, calls, and visits helps preserve the bond. Organizations like Get on the Bus and Sesame Street in Communities offer resources specifically for children of incarcerated parents.

Families may be eligible for SNAP (food assistance), Medicaid, housing assistance, and utility programs. Local nonprofits and faith-based organizations often provide emergency help. Depending on circumstances, Social Security benefits for children may also apply. Visit benefits.gov to see what programs you may qualify for in your state.

Parole eligibility depends on the sentence, state laws, and the individual’s behavior while incarcerated. A parole board hearing is typically scheduled where your loved one can present their case. As a family member, you may submit a support letter. Upon release, conditions such as regular check-ins with a parole officer, travel restrictions, and employment requirements often apply.

Your wellbeing matters too. Seek out support groups for families of the incarcerated — many meet locally and online. Therapy or counseling provides a safe space to process grief, shame, and stress. Set healthy boundaries around time and finances. Organizations like Family & Corrections Network and Partners of Prisoners (POPS) offer peer support and community connection.