Reducing Incarceration of Status Offenders: Next Steps in KY

In recent years, Kentucky has garnered national attention for detaining youth charged with status offenses at the second highest rate in the nation. In particular, Kenton County, Kentucky detains the highest number of youth for status offenders in the state. This statistic has caught the attention of local juvenile justice stakeholders and practitioners, particularly in Kenton County. This episode will explore one county's realization and response to the problem of using incarceration for status offenses in Kentucky. Our guests will discuss their journey in bringing this issue to the forefront in the community, statewide efforts to reduce this practice, as well as the next steps they plan to take in leading their community to find more effective and less costly ways to deal with status offenders.

 

Guests:

-Tara Grieshop-Goodwin, Kentucky Youth Advocates

-Honorable Judge Christopher J. Mehling, Kenton County Family Court

-Rebecca Ballard DiLoreto, Children's Law Center, Inc.