Bill changing felony theft statutes clears hurdle, first change in decade

Bill changing felony theft statutes clears hurdle, first change in decade

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)— Legislation that would change many petty thefts from a felony t a misdemeanor cleared a key legislative committee Wednesday, drawing praise from criminal justice reform advocates. The House Judiciary Committee advanced HB 126, sponsored by Chairman C. Ed Massey, legislation aimed at bringing Kentucky’s felony theft threshold statutes to the national median of […]

Kentucky Smart on Crime Holds 2021 General Assembly Preview Forum

Kentucky Smart on Crime Holds 2021 General Assembly Preview Forum

New and veteran lawmakers share their priorities, hear from directly impacted individuals in recovery, participate in reentry simulation Frankfort, KY (Dec. 17, 2020)— Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition comprised of partner organizations from across the Commonwealth held a 2021 Kentucky General Assembly Legislative Preview event on Dec. 15.  The event was co-hosted by […]

Criminal Justice Reform Coalition Announces Support for Bill Broadening Educational Opportunities to Those Seeking a Second Chance

Criminal Justice Reform Coalition Announces Support for Bill Broadening Educational Opportunities to Those Seeking a Second Chance

BR236 would eliminate a provision that prohibits individuals with felony convictions from eligibility for the KEES Scholarship Frankfort, KY (Nov. 18, 2020)— Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition comprised of partner organizations from across the Commonwealth, today endorsed BR 236, legislation prefiled by Kentucky State Representative James Tipton (Taylorsville), that would remove barriers to […]

Annual U.S. Department of Justice Data Shows Kentucky Continues to Struggle with Persistently High Imprisonment Rates

Annual U.S. Department of Justice Data Shows Kentucky Continues to Struggle with Persistently High Imprisonment Rates

Seventh-highest overall rate, third-highest female rate point to need for serious action from state lawmakers   Louisville, KY (Oct. 28, 2020)— New data from the federal agency charged with tracking criminal justice statistics around the nation again highlights Kentucky’s grim per capita imprisonment rate.   For the second year in a row, Kentucky had the seventh-highest […]

Kentucky Smart on Crime Adds Three New Member Organizations

Kentucky Smart on Crime Adds Three New Member Organizations

Coalition ramping up advocacy for justice system reforms LOUISVILLE, KY (Sept. 17. 2020) – Today, Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition that advocates for common-sense justice reforms that enhance public safety, strengthen communities, and promote cost-effective sentencing alternatives, announced the addition of three new partner organizations, NAACP of Kentucky, Kentucky Criminal Justice Forum, and […]

Kentucky Government, Non-Profit, and Private Sector Groups Launch Reentry Resource Hub

Kentucky Government, Non-Profit, and Private Sector Groups Launch Reentry Resource Hub

Over 30 organizations across the Commonwealth have built a comprehensive tool aimed at connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with the supports needed for a fresh start LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 10, 2020)— Today, a group of over 30 supporting organizations launched a Kentucky Reentry Resource Guide for those returning to their communities after incarceration. The reentry hub is geared toward […]

Statement from the KY Smart on Crime Coalition on Senate Passage of Expungement and Probation Compliance Credit Bills

Statement from the KY Smart on Crime Coalition on Senate Passage of Expungement and Probation Compliance Credit Bills

Frankfort, Ky. (Mar. 18, 2020)—Today, the Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition released the following statement after the Kentucky Senate passed bills relating to expungement as well as probation compliance credits.  HB327 and HB284 now head to concurrence before they can be sent to the Governor’s desk. “The Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition commends the General […]