Kentucky has two separate phone systems. The Kentucky Department of Corrections (KDOC) operates 14 state prisons under a statewide contract with Securus Technologies. Kentucky's 120 counties each operate their own jails and contract phone services independently.
One important context before you start: Kentucky was one of only three states in the country (along with Florida and Oklahoma) where prison phone rates were above the new FCC 2025 IPCS Order caps that took effect April 6, 2026. That means families calling into Kentucky state prisons should have seen a rate decrease around that date, not an increase. The new ceiling for large state prisons under the FCC 2025 order is $0.12 per minute ($0.10 base + $0.02 facility additive). Verify the current Securus rate at securustech.net or call 1-800-844-6591 before funding your account.
Kentucky DOC uses "inmates" and "offenders" in its official materials.
PART 1 - KENTUCKY STATE PRISONS (KDOC)
Phone vendor: Securus Technologies
Securus Technologies holds the contract for all 14 Kentucky state prisons. Securus also provides tablets, email (JPay), and video visits at Kentucky facilities. The DOC does not pay Securus for these services. Instead, Securus charges families per-minute rates and pays a portion of its revenue back to the state as commissions.
How KDOC phone calls work
Inmates place outgoing calls only. Inmates cannot receive calls. The inmate calls from a facility phone to numbers on their approved calling list.
To be on the list, the inmate must add your number. The process varies by facility but generally requires the inmate to submit a request through their counselor or unit team.
All calls are monitored and recorded. Three-way calling, call forwarding, and chain dialing are prohibited. Each facility sets its own calling schedule; phones are generally available during yard periods and designated evening hours.
Setting up a Securus account
Online: securustech.net
Phone: 1-800-844-6591 (customer service) or 1-972-734-1111
Account options:
AdvanceConnect (prepaid collect): You fund an account tied to your phone number. Costs are deducted from your balance when the inmate calls. Works for all phone types including cell phones.
Direct Bill: Calls are billed monthly to your phone carrier. Available for landlines only; not available for cell phones.
Debit calling: The inmate funds their own account from their commissary/trust account and initiates calls to any approved number.
Rate - effective April 6, 2026
Kentucky was one of three states where prison call rates were above the FCC 2025 IPCS Order ceiling when those caps took effect. The FCC 2025 order caps large state prisons at $0.10/min plus up to $0.02/min in facility cost recovery, for a maximum of $0.12/min.
Prior to April 6, 2026, Kentucky families were paying rates above this ceiling. Rates should have been reduced to comply with the cap as of the April 6, 2026 deadline.
Verify the exact current Securus rate for Kentucky at securustech.net or by calling 1-800-844-6591 before adding funds.
Tablets, email, and video visits - Securus/JPay
Securus provides tablets at Kentucky state prisons. JPay (a Securus subsidiary) handles email (electronic messaging). Video visits are available through the Securus platform.
For JPay email: jpay.com
For video visits: securustech.net or the Securus app
All messaging and video visit services are tied to the Securus account platform. Rates for email, video, and tablet content are separate from the per-minute phone rate; check securustech.net for current pricing.
Note on rates: Kentucky Prison Legal News coverage and prison advocacy research flagged that Kentucky inmates and their families spent millions on tablet and email services with Securus, in addition to phone calls. Review all applicable fees before setting up accounts.
KDOC facilities (14 state prisons)
Blackburn Correctional Complex (BCC)
Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC)
Green River Correctional Complex (GRCC)
Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW) - 3000 Ash Ave., Pewee Valley KY
Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP)
Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR)
Little Sandy Correctional Complex (LSCC)
Luther Luckett Correctional Complex (LLCC)
Northpoint Training Center (NTC)
Roederer Correctional Complex (RCC)
Western Kentucky Correctional Complex (WKCC)
Additional facilities listed at corrections.ky.gov
Inmate locator: corrections.ky.gov/Offenders/Pages/OffenderSearch.aspx
KDOC contact:
275 E. Main St., Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-4360
PART 2 - KENTUCKY COUNTY JAILS (120 counties)
Kentucky has 120 counties, each operating its own jail. County jails contract phone services independently from KDOC. Kentucky also has a system of "regional jails" that serve multiple counties under joint agreements. Most regional jails and county jails in Kentucky use Securus Technologies, though some use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork and others. Always verify the specific facility before setting up an account.
How to find the current vendor for a county jail
Go to the county or regional jail's official website and look for pages labeled "Inmate Telephone," "Communications," or "Inmate Services." If not found online, call the facility directly.
Notable examples (verify before relying on this information)
Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC):
400 S. Sixth St., Louisville KY 40202 | 502-574-8477
Historical vendor: Securus; verify current vendor and rates directly.
Fayette County Detention Center (Lexington):
600 Old Frankfort Cir., Lexington KY 40510 | 859-425-2700
Vendor: Securus Technologies
Services: phone, voicemail, email (check securustech.net and jpay.com)
For all other county and regional jails in Kentucky: Contact the facility directly or check its official website.
What to do before the first call
For a KDOC state prison:
1. Find the inmate's DOC number and current facility at corrections.ky.gov/Offenders/Pages/OffenderSearch.aspx
2. Ask the inmate to add your name and phone number to their approved calling list
3. Set up a Securus AdvanceConnect account at securustech.net or call 1-800-844-6591
4. Fund the account
5. Wait for the inmate to initiate the call
For a Kentucky county or regional jail:
1. Find the inmate through the facility's inmate search or the county's official website
2. Identify the current phone vendor from the facility's website
3. Create an account with that vendor
4. Add funds
5. Wait for the inmate to call
Frequently asked questions
Who provides phone calls at Kentucky state prisons?
Securus Technologies, statewide at all 14 prisons. Setup at securustech.net; customer service 1-800-844-6591.
What does it cost per minute?
Kentucky's rate was above the FCC 2025 IPCS Order ceiling before April 6, 2026, and should have been reduced as of that compliance deadline. The FCC ceiling for large state prisons is $0.12/min ($0.10 base + $0.02 facility additive). Verify the exact current rate at securustech.net or call 1-800-844-6591.
Why is Kentucky notable for rates?
Multiple analyses identified Kentucky, Florida, and Oklahoma as the only three states in the country where prison call rates were above the new FCC 2025 IPCS Order caps. This means families in those states were most directly affected by the rate compliance requirement.
Can I receive calls on a cell phone?
Yes, via AdvanceConnect (prepaid collect). Direct Bill is landline only.
Do county jails use Securus?
Many do, but not all. Fayette County (Lexington) uses Securus. Louisville Metro uses Securus historically. Some Kentucky jails use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork. Always verify the specific facility. ====================================================================
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