Robust, data-driven justice reform could be coming to the Commonwealth. The time is now as the state faces the prospect of a $600M increased cost to taxpayers and a 19% rise in prison populations over the next decade if no changes are made. Read House Bil 396 here Read more about the legislation from coalition […]

Kentucky Youth Advocates highlights the urgency of criminal justice reforms in the Commonwealth Kentucky Youth Advocates, a partner in the Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition, released an important issue brief February 8th highlighting the troubling and growing prevalence of children with incarcerated parents in the Commonwealth.  The brief, Minimizing the Impact of Parental Incarceration on […]

Ninth-highest overall rate, second-highest female rate demonstrate necessity of criminal justice reform in 2018 session of General Assembly New data from the federal agency charged with tracking criminal justice statistics around the nation reveals Kentucky’s incarceration rate is surging even though the nation’s incarceration rate declined for the third consecutive year.  KY now has the […]

After weeks of study and discussion, the CJPAC Kentucky Justice Reinvestment Work Group has released their final report.  It contains 22 data-driven policy recommendations aimed at improving public safety by holding offenders accountable and reducing recidivism. “Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition was proud to have a seat on the CJPAC Justice Reinvestment Work Group.  Our […]

11/29/2017 Press Release from the Commonwealth of Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet The CJPAC Justice Reinvestment Work Group is projecting that, without significant legislative solutions, Kentucky’s inmate population will increase by 19 percent over the next ten years, overwhelming jails and prisons and burdening taxpayers with nearly $600 million in additional costs. Kentucky Justice […]

Learn if you are eligible for expungement and how to clear your record! Talk to an attorney about getting free legal services if you qualify. Will be held in the ballroom of Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) (300 North Main Street, Versailles KY 40383). Where Kentucky Community and Technical College System Address 300 […]

Kentucky Smart on Crime is proud to announce that Senate Bill 120 has been passed! This bill will help work towards public safety improvements that seek to put people who have been convicted of crimes back to work so they don’t return to crime and prison. SB 120 is a good first step toward a […]

Kentucky Smart on Crime applauds the passage of Senate Bill 120 from Senate Judiciary this morning. This legislation is a good first start toward public safety improvements that seek to put people who have been convicted of crimes back to work so they don¹t return to crime and prison. SB 120 is a good first […]

Russell M. Coleman is a consultant on law enforcement matters for the US Justice Action Network, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition, and a Member of Governor Bevin’s Criminal Justice Policy Assessment Council. He practices law in the areas of government relations, internal investigations and white collar criminal defense. He has worked […]

Statement from Smart on Crime Spokesman Russell Coleman on the formation of Kentucky’s Criminal Justice Policy Assessment Council “Governor Matt Bevin announced the formation of the Criminal Justice Policy Assessment Council (CJPAC), which seeks to research and assess proven, innovative criminal justice reforms for implementation in Kentucky. Kentucky Smart on Crime applauds the Governor’s bold […]