How a ‘Tough-on-Crime’ State Became Smart on Crime

Kentucky’s overhaul of its criminal justice system this spring is a textbook example of genuine bipartisanship.

For three decades, Kentucky politicians proved they were tough on crime. At every opportunity, they stiffened sentences and added offenses to the state’s penal code.

They nearly bankrupted the state.  Read more...

Bill to overhaul Ky. prison system advances

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A bill to overhaul the state’s corrections system — and reduce the state’s costs — won unanimous approval Thursday from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

But action by the full Senate on what supporters have called landmark legislation was postponed until Monday after Senate President David Williams, a Burkesville Republican, had to leave the state for a political event in Washington.  Read more...

Three-pronged attack on prison costs

The core function of the state courts is the adjudication of legal disputes. And of all the legal disputes we adjudicate, our courts spend more time by far presiding over criminal cases.

Each year our judges faithfully apply the law of this state to the facts of each criminal case and sentence thousands of convicted offenders to prison for the protection of the public.

The annual cost of prison is a shocking $19,000 per prisoner and growing. And this growing investment in incarceration is not paying a return in increased public safety.  Read More...