Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has designated a juvenile detention center in Newport as the sole facility for girls in the state following riots at centers in Adair and Warren counties.
Beshear has also designated juvenile detention centers in Adair, Warren and Fayette counties as high-security facilities for violent, youthful male offenders.
The governor’s switch-ups, to be implemented by January, follow a riot at Adair Regional Detention Center in Columbia that injured young people and staff on Nov. 11 and a riot at Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Bowling Green that caused property damage in August.
“Our policies and laws that govern juvenile justice were created over 20 years ago. It is time positive changes are made to better respond to today’s needs,” Beshear said in a news release.
“By separating female and male juveniles, we are enhancing the safety of our staff and youth in state custody. I remain committed to doing everything possible to provide health care, education and safety to all Kentuckians - including our youth who deserve a second chance.”
Youths ages 11 to 18 in Kentucky can be sent to juvenile detention centers.
Newport juvenile detention center has 35 beds
Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center will house girls at its 35-bed facility at 590 Columbia St.
Male juveniles 14 years of age and older charged with offenses indicating a higher potential for violent, disruptive behavior will be housed at Adair Regional Detention Center, Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center and Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Lexington.
Male juveniles younger than 14, or those who have been charged with a lower-level offense, will be housed at Boyd Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Ashland, Breathitt Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Jackson, Jefferson Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Lyndon and McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Paducah.
“This classification system will allow DJJ (Department of Juvenile Justice) to enhance protocols and training so staff can better respond to the current population,” Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Kerry Harvey said in the news release.
“Over time, DJJ staff will be able to better deal with high-security detainees, always understanding that these youths must be treated with care and compassion but also recognizing that alleged violent offenders present different safety considerations.”
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