Kentucky — State and Local Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Appalachia vs. the Carceral State

“Prosperino’s stepdad, a coal miner, was out of work, and Prosperino’s father was in jail. “We exchanged bad jobs for worse,” said Ada Smith, whose cousin works at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Martin County. The prison wasn’t underground, but it might as well have been. Both jobs were dangerous. Generations of miners sacrificed their lungs and limbs to King Coal. But prison work wasn’t just hard on the body; it was bad for the human soul to be responsible for another person’s unfreedom.“

The New Republic

November 25, 2019

State ReformsPhillip ReevesNovember 25, 2019The New Republic, KentuckyComment

Rate of Incarceration On the Rise in Kentucky

“I think we've come to a point in our state, and it's been this way for years, where we have to distinguish who we're mad at, and who we're afraid of. Those we're afraid of need to be segregated in a prison and need to serve a sentence. Those we're mad at can be handled safely in the community with much better results.“

News 1 Kentucky

May 19, 2019

Mass IncarcerationPhillip ReevesMay 19, 2019News 1 Kentucky, KentuckyComment

Lawyers challenge effort to put victim rights in Kentucky Constitution

"The ballot question asks: 'Are you in favor of providing constitutional rights to the victims of crime, including the right to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and the right to be informed and have a voice in the judicial process?' The association, in a press release, said the law actually makes much broader changes to the law and skews the process in which a defendant is presumed innocent."

Louisville Courier Journal

August 13, 2018

State ReformsAnthony BradleyAugust 15, 2018Louisville Courier Journal, Kentucky, Marsy's Law

Study Shows Decline In Prison Population Doesn't Tell Full Story

"One seemingly good policy is rehabilitation certificates. When a court certifies a former prisoner as having been rehabilitated, it sends a signal to employers that this isn’t one of the scary ex-convicts they might have a picture of in their mind."

WKMS--Murray State

June 25, 2018

State Reforms, Mass IncarcerationAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018WKMS Murray State, Kentucky

Kentucky joins national movement to improve pretrial justice

"Kentucky is joining a national movement called 3DaysCount, which is aimed at improving pretrial justice. Supporters say the initiative offers a path to fairer outcomes, greater public safety and better use of public resources."

WDRB Louisville

June 6, 2018

Pre-trial Detention, State ReformsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018WDRB Louisville, Kentucky, 3DaysCount

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