FRANKFORT, KY (March 13, 2008) – The Kentucky Criminal Justice Council will meet Monday to take up its charge of recommending criminal justice reforms for the Commonwealth, Justice and Public Safety Secretary J. Michael Brown announced today.

    The Council will meet at 2 p.m. at Berry Hill Mansion, 700 Louisville Road.

    Last week Gov. Steve Beshear directed Secretary Brown to immediately undertake a comprehensive review of Kentucky’s penal code, sentencing guidelines and other issues related to the escalating costs of the state’s criminal justice system, especially prison and jail populations.

    The Council will serve as a mechanism to digest the volumes of reports related to those topics that have been released in recent years, Brown said, and will identify other stakeholders to be included in the review.  Brown added the Council will recommend ways to control costs of the rising prison population in sensible, practical ways that ensure the safety and protection of Kentuckians.

    Recommendations that don’t require legislative passage will be submitted immediately to the appropriate regulatory body, if needed, and become effective upon their approval.  Recommendations for statutory changes will be reported to the Governor no later than December 1, 2008, for consideration by the 2009 General Assembly.

    The Council by statute is compromised of the following individuals, or their designee:
    • The Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, who serve as chair and deputy chair, respectively;
    • Attorney General;
    • Chairs of the Judiciary Committees of the state House of Representatives and Senate;
    • Commissioners of Kentucky State Police, Department of Criminal Justice Training, Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement;
    • Public Advocate of Kentucky;
    • Executive Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts;
    • President of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; and
    • Representatives of the County Attorneys Association and the Commonwealth's Attorneys Association.

    The meeting is open to the public.

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