LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky’s juvenile justice system is facing mounting challenges as the state works to reform its facilities and address violent crimes committed by youth.
The Jefferson Regional Juvenile Detention Center is undergoing a $40 million renovation, but the project is not expected to be complete until 2027. By then, the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to issue new rules on how Kentucky handles juvenile offenders.
Prosecutors say youth gun violence has been a growing concern this summer.
“The firearm is what makes the difference,” said Gerina Whethers, Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney and a prosecutor on youth crime.
Whethers recalled the alarming image of a young man aiming a gun down the street as other children waited for the bus on the first day of school. Wethers said juveniles committing adult-level crimes with firearms will be prosecuted accordingly.
Mona Womack, deputy secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, acknowledged long-standing issues within the department.
“We have been open that DJJ has had serious issues in the past,” Womack said, noting that the Jefferson County detention center remains the most glaring example.
Representative Daniel Elliott, R-Danville, said news reports often highlight cases where staff did not respond appropriately to incidents. To address this, DJJ is expanding training for correctional staff, emphasizing de-escalation, relationship building, and understanding personal triggers.
“We have taught our staff how to react, but we have not taught them how to think,” said Randy White, commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
The department also says it now has a full staff of mental health professionals, and retention has improved since raising starting salaries for correctional officers to $50,000 a year.
While awaiting a potential DOJ consent decree, department leaders say they are working to rebuild the system from the ground up.
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