The Courier-Journal: “FRANKFORT, Ky. – Troubled children who skip school or run away from home will receive diversion programs rather than jail time under sweeping reforms that take effect next year in Kentucky.
The state has ranked high nationally in recent years for incarcerating children on “status offenses,” infractions that aren’t considered crimes for adults such as truancy, running away or uncontrollable behavior.
Youth jail admissions on status offenses totaled around 1,125 in Kentucky last year. But lawmakers, officials and advocacy groups behind the reforms say they intend to curtail those numbers by keeping juveniles at home, in the classroom and out of the criminal pipeline.
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They also are moving away from incarcerating children for minor crimes — all at a projected savings of $24 million for the state over the next five years.
“This could be the most fundamental reform for kids in Kentucky since 1990 with the Kentucky Education Reform Act,” said Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, a statewide child advocacy organization. “I think it is that deep and that broad.”
Senate Judiciary Chairman Whitney Westerfield, R-Hopkinsville, said it will mark a “sea change” in the state’s approach to juvenile justice.”
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