Governor Beshear taking immediate steps to improve Kentucky’s justice system
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allison Haley, Communications Director
502-695-4828 or 859-539-5430
Governor Beshear taking immediate steps to improve Kentucky's justice system
FRANKFORT - In yet another step toward making the Commonwealth safer and more financially sound, Democratic Governor Steve Beshear has taken several steps in March to reduce the financial burden of the criminal justice system on taxpayers. The move is motivated by the Governor's recognition of the need for reform on the system.
Last week, Governor Beshear directed Justice and Public Safety Secretary J. Michael Brown to undertake a comprehensive review of many aspects of the judicial system, including sentencing guidelines. The goal of the review is to find ways to cut expenses, especially in jails and prisons.
While the Courier-Journal editorial page asserts the Governor plans to wait until 2010 to present recommendations for reform, in fact Governor Beshear has asked Brown to work with the Kentucky Criminal Justice Council to use existing information to find some immediate solutions. The Governor will then propose an extensive package of statutory reforms during the 2009 legislative session.
"The criminal justice system can be a drain on city, county and state budgets and I applaud Governor Steve Beshear for his aggressive approach toward finding fast solutions where they are available and also placing a comprehensive reform package on his list of legislative priorities next year," Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Moore said. "This is another example of the Governor's commitment to rehabilitating the state's ailing budget and improving programs that can run better and more efficiently."
Governor Beshear yesterday took an active step toward meaningful change in the criminal justice system when he declared his support for Republican Senator Dan Kelly's Senate Bill 72, which will divert non-violent drug offenders out of the prison system and potentially save the Commonwealth $44 million a year.
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