According to Gov. Andy Beshear, juveniles are being placed in the facilities for increasingly violent crimes and the state is poised to make a number of significant changes to ensure the safety of both youth in custody and detention center staff.
The first change, announced Thursday, is the conversion of the DJJ Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center in northern Kentucky from a facility separately housing male and female youths to one that houses only females.
"While this is going to create some travel issues, it's going to move some female juveniles that might have been able to be housed closer to their homes, we now believe that this is an essential step to protect these individuals."Gov. Andy Beshear
The state will also be creating a transportation group with the goal of easing any new travel burdens placed on juveniles, law enforcement, and families.
The move comes in the wake of a riot that resulted in injuries to staff and juveniles at a facility in Adair County.
Beshear said further changes will likely be announced next week.
