Addressing issues in Kentucky’s Department of Juvenile Justice system and juvenile detention centers will be a priority for state Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County as lawmakers return to Frankfort next week for the remainder of the 2023 session.
The Republican accuses leadership in the Kentucky Justice Cabinet and DJJ of failing to act in a meaningful way after numerous recent incidents and assaults of corrections workers at facilities in McCracken and Warren counties.
He says current staff shortages at DJJ facilities creates poor conditions for workers and the juvenile offenders housed there.
Westerfield asserts some of the workers who are on the job aren’t properly trained or outfitted to respond when there is an incident.
Governor Andy Beshear has announced several changes to DJJ in recent weeks, including moving all male juveniles 14 or older facing violent charges to high-level security facilities. He also designated youth workers as corrections officers and increased their pay.