Changes coming to Kentucky juvenile justice system after riot breaks out at maximum-security juvenile center

KENTUCKY — Gov. Andy Beshear is working with different state departments to make adjustments to the place minors within the state are incarcerated. This comes after experiences of great violence inside some detention facilities.

Earlier this month, Beshear referred to as for the Campbell County Juvenile Detention Facility to be ladies solely. It is the one one within the state, housing ladies 11 to 18.

Extra adjustments introduced Thursday embrace a two-tier system for boys. Three amenities will probably be designated for these charged with violent or severe offenses. 4 different amenities will probably be for lesser expenses.

Throughout a joint judiciary committee listening to the place the secretary of the Justice and Public Security Cupboard and the juvenile justice commissioner spoke, a number of lawmakers introduced up a riot that occurred at a juvenile detention facility in Adair County.

“Employees was damage, different youth have been damage. One youth was reportedly sexually assaulted by different youth,” Republic Sen. Whitney Westerfield mentioned.

Officers mentioned the causes are troubling.

“The youths inform our staff — they’re very free with this — that they are concerned in gangs and that they really are elevated within the gangs after they commit an assault on our employees or on different youths,” mentioned Kerry Harvey, secretary of the Justice and Public Security Cupboard.

There are additionally extra violent offenders.

“The youth inhabitants now could be completely completely different than after we began,” Beshear mentioned.

Beshear mentioned the crimes minors are committing now are extra violent than 20 years in the past when the state arrange the system. Practically half of present male juvenile inmates have dedicated a category C felony or increased — against the law like homicide, kidnapping or first-degree rape.

“A child that is been truant is in the identical facility with essentially the most violent youth offenders that Kentucky has, and that is unconscionable,” Westerfield mentioned.

Beshear mentioned change is important for the security of everybody concerned. Some lawmakers mentioned it is a step ahead, but it surely’s not sufficient.

“What occurred in Adair County cannot simply be glossed over. We have now a younger woman who was raped by a number of juvenile males,” mentioned Republican Rep. Jason Nemes.