DOJ will investigate conditions at Kentucky's troubled juvenile justice department

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a statewide investigation into the conditions at eight youth detention centers and a youth development center in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice has struggled to house increasing numbers of youths accused of violent offenses. The result was a string of assaults, riots and escapes as well as incidents of abuse and neglect of youths at juvenile detention centers.

According to a news release, the investigation will examine whether the state protects children housed in the facilities from harm caused by excessive force by staff, prolonged isolation and inadequate protection from violence and sexual abuse. It will also examine whether Kentucky provides adequate mental health services and special education for children with disabilities.

"Confinement in the juvenile justice system should help children avoid future contact with law enforcement and mature into law-abiding, productive members of society," assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a news release. "Too often, juvenile justice facilities break our children, exposing them to dangerous and traumatic conditions. We are launching this investigation to ensure that children in Kentucky youth detention facilities are safe from harm, receive adequate mental health care and get appropriate special education services."

A riot broke out in 2022 at a detention center, causing injuries to young people and staff. Order was restored after state police and other law enforcement officers entered the facility. In another incident, some juveniles kicked and punched staff during an attack at another center.

Gov. Andy Beshear responded with a series of policy changes to try to quell the violence. He announced, among other things, that male juveniles would be assigned to facilities based on the severity of their offenses, and "defensive equipment" — pepper spray and Tasers — was provided for the first time so detention center workers could defend themselves and others if attacked.

As the problems mounted, state lawmakers responded by appropriating money to boost salaries for juvenile justice employees, hire more Department of Juvenile Justice correctional officers, improve security at detention centers and increase diversion and treatment services for detained youths.

U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky will partner with the Civil Rights Division and the Eastern District to conduct the investigation.

Detention centers admit around 200,000 children nationally each year. According to a news release, the average length of stay for a child in a detention center is 27 days.

According to a news release, the investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act.

Randy White assumed the role of commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice on April 1. His predecessor as juvenile justice commissioner, Vicki Reed, became a lightning rod for criticism as the state-operated system struggled to quell violent outbursts at juvenile detention centers.

White retired from the corrections department in late 2023 after a 27-year career that included a stint as warden of the Kentucky State Penitentiary.

Kentucky Juvenile Justice Coverage: