About

Juvenile Justice

Historic steps taken to reform the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice: At Gov. Beshear's direction, the Department of Juvenile Justice has implemented several steps to address the challenges in juvenile detention facilities, which include:

In December 2021, the administration approved salary increases for Psychologists, Social Service Clinicians, Social Service Specialists and Social Service Workers.

As a result of these salary increases, the department has been able to reduce staff vacancies and enhance treatment. As of March 1, 2024, out of 290 positions there are 244 filled with 46 vacant medical-related positions.

Contracting with the Kentucky Department of Education, Department of Career and Technical Education in July 2022 for vocational services; allowing juveniles to earn high school credit and certifications leading to future employment.

In October 2022, the Governor approved raising the salary of security personnel to the midpoint and increasing the hourly rate for shift and locality premiums. In December 2021, the Governor approved a 10% raise to help better recruit and retain security personnel and later an 8% raise.

The longstanding booking system has suffered from limited functionality and inadequate reporting capabilities. The administration recognized this problem in the fall of 2022, at which time approval was given to procure the Juvenile Kentucky Offender Management System, which has been publicly discussed in media and testimonies, and additional funding was provided in the 2023 legislative session. The first phase has a completion date goal of June 2024.

In November 2022, a Compliance Branch was formed to conduct random staff interviews and unannounced facility inspections. The goal is to enhance safety and security throughout the department and make recommendations to leadership.

In response to the violent outbreaks – and to enhance security for staff and youth – for the first time in Kentucky, Gov. Beshear opened a female-only detention center and
separated male juveniles by security level based on the severity of their offense in December 2022.

In January 2023, the Governor hired Larry Chandler as director of security. Chandler is a former warden of six Kentucky prisons who brings deep experience in operating secure facilities.

Gov. Beshear signed an emergency regulation in January 2023, providing the department with a policy to train on and deploy pepper spray and tasers. Senate Bill 162, signed by the Governor in March 2023, mandated the use of pepper spray and tasers similar to the Department of Corrections. All staff are trained, and standard operating procedures were reviewed prior to issuing equipment.

Since the signing of the emergency regulation, 83% of deployments of pepper spray have been verified by the Internal Investigations Branch to be appropriate uses.

Effective Feb. 1, 2023, the Governor raised the youth worker annual salary to $50,000 and reclassified them as correctional officers. During the 2023 Regular Session, the administration requested an additional 146 security positions, which were included in SB 162.

In the past year, because of the administration's efforts, we have increased frontline correctional officers by 63%. The highest number DJJ has employed in recent history, and we are continuing to recruit and retain to further secure our facilities.

Due to critical staffing levels and violent attacks on staff by male juveniles housed at high-level detention centers, the department requested the assistance of the Kentucky State Police at the Adair, Fayette and Warren Juvenile Detention Centers to intervene in the event of an emergency. Effective Feb. 6, 2023, there were two uniformed KSP Troopers inside the detention centers 24 hours per day until May 27, 2023. KSP was there to be a presence only and intervened at their discretion when serious incidents occurred.

The Department of Corrections supplied correctional officers and probation and parole officers to help cover shifts at Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center from February to October 2023.

To reduce the transportation burden on law enforcement, the Governor expanded the transportation branch with additional personnel and expanded their vehicle fleet beginning in February 2023. The Governor passed into law the creation of the Division of Transportation in March 2023. Fleet vehicle expansion started in April 2023 with the department taking custody of eight used KSP vehicles.

Pursuant to SB 162, signed by Gov. Beshear in March 2023, detention centers and youth development centers were required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with local law enforcement for emergency response and include these agencies in emergency response trainings. All detention centers and youth development centers have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with at least one law enforcement agency in their communities.

In April 2023, an updated protocol was issued providing Naloxone in all facilities and mandating yearly training.

As of April 28, 2023, any youth in any DJJ facility who commits an assault, escape, engages in substantial property damage, introduces contraband into DJJ facilities or otherwise commits a serious offense is promptly charged.

In May 2023, the Governor reorganized the department by function to better manage the current challenges facing detention facilities. He appointed James Sweatt as Executive Director and Larry Chandler as Deputy Director of the Office of Detention. Both are former wardens of several Kentucky state prisons, bringing a combined 80 years of experience to the department.

As of June 2023, all detention center correctional officers have been trained and equipped with pepper spray.

In 2023, the department contracted with Eastern Kentucky University to conduct a training needs assessment for all Correctional Officer/Youth Worker positions.

On Dec. 18, 2023, the Governor released his proposed 2024-2026 budget, which called for funding for two new female-only juvenile detention centers, the renovation of the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center, retrofits to four other detention centers and a facility to provide residential psychiatric treatment for juveniles who need it and would otherwise be placed in detention. The Governor said these safety projects were necessary to make sure there are no low-level male offenders in the same areas as more violent offenders and so that males and females are separated. This funding was necessary to comply with SB 162.

The General Assembly only funded part of this request, and did not provide for the female-only facilities or the high-acuity facility.

In January 2024, the Governor named Larry Chandler as Interim Commissioner.

On March 4, 2024, the Governor appointed Troy Pollock as Director of Training. Director Pollock brings 35 years of correctional experience, with an emphasis on training, to the position and has been tasked with implementing the changes recommended in the EKU Needs Assessment as well as revamping the overall training program.

In March 2024, the Governor appointed Keith Jackson as secretary and Mona Womack as deputy secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.

On March 21, 2024, the Governor appointed Randy White as commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice. White retired from the Department of Corrections after 27 years of service, and during that time, Kentucky secured the lowest recidivism rate in state history.

Commissioner White is prioritizing reducing youth crime and recidivism, increasing mental health treatment, enhancing employee training and securing all 27 juvenile facilities to better protect youth and staff, while continuing to implement the administration's aggressive plan to enhance safety in response to violent incidents.

In June 2024, the department contracted with an independent medical staffing provider to ensure 24/7 nursing care is available at every detention center and youth development center in the state for the first time in the commonwealth's history.

On Sept. 30, 2024, it was announced that the Jefferson Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Lyndon would temporarily close for renovations to expand the facility's capacity to safely and securely house juveniles who have been ordered to secure detention. The facility is expected to reopen fall 2026.

$38.9 million has been allocated by the General Assembly for renovations on the Louisville Youth Detention Center. Funding was allocated in two phases in 2023 and 2024. Design and construction were contingent on the completed transfer of the property deed from Louisville Metro to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Design work was completed from July 2023 to April 2025. The deed was transferred to the state on April 28, 2025, and construction began shortly after. Based on the estimated timeline developed by the design team, the facility is currently projected to open in the spring of 2027. Once completed, the facility will have 64 beds and will be used to house high level male offenders.

The Beshear-Coleman administration requested funds for a high-acuity mental health facility and two additional female-only facilities in both the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions. The General Assembly did not fund these requests in either session, and the administration continues to prioritize the construction of each of these facilities.

Kevin Mazza was appointed director of the Division of Transportation on Feb. 1, 2025. In this role, he oversees juvenile transportation to and from department facilities and court appearances, ensuring efficient operations and support for public safety. Director Mazza brings over 21 years of experience in corrections to the role.

Staffing levels have continued to increase at each facility. In the past three years, starting pay at juvenile detention centers have increased $20,000. Because of the administration's efforts, DJJ has increased frontline correctional officers by 63% — the highest number the department has employed in recent history.

For the first time, every DJJ facility employs a mental health treatment director to address the individual mental health needs of juveniles. The department also amended its contract with UK Department of Psychiatry to allow advanced practice providers to treat youth in DJJ. As a result, two psychiatric nurse practitioners evaluate and treat youth on a weekly basis at every detention center.

Handle with Care, a crisis intervention system that adapts to the unique needs of every juvenile in care, was fully implemented across the department on July 31, 2025. The system is primarily used in juvenile detention centers, emphasizing de-escalation and the mental health of juveniles. Every staff member who interacts with youth regularly has received Handle with Care training, and new employees receive the training at the Training Academy.

DJJ continues to implement the Juvenile Kentucky Offender Management System (JKOMS) to better track and identify individual resident information.

The department continues to prioritize the education of juveniles in its care. During the 2024-2025 academic year, 72 students earned their high school diploma, four earned their GED, 250 received vocational certifications, and seven completed college courses.

The Adair Youth Development Center recently underwent a major overhaul to its educational offerings. With the help of Adair County Public Schools, students can now access the school districts Edmentum educational platform which allows them access to more than 200 virtual classes and experiences that also include Vocational and GED offerings.

Troy Pollock was appointed as Director of Detention on Aug. 20, 2025. Director Pollock provides oversight of all detention centers and transportation, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the department having worked in corrections the last three decades.

Implementation of EQ2, a comprehensive program designed to strengthen DJJ's approach to emotional intelligence, staff-youth engagement, and trauma-informed care, began in September 2025. The program reflects the department's commitment to creating environments that are both safer and supportive for staff and juveniles. EQ2 will empower staff to respond to challenges with empathy, clarity and confidence.

The department has added an additional ombudsman, for a total of two. The ombudsmen act as independent investigators when needed, helping to resolve conflicts and ensure mandated security requirements are followed at all times.

All DJJ facilities are PREA compliant and accredited by the American Correctional Association.

Executive Director Dena Burton has been invited to join the American Correctional Association Juvenile Standards Committee, and Commissioner Randy White has been invited to sit on the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators Board of Directors.

The department has hired two security advisors, who review facility security measures and make recommended security enhancements and upgrades to all Youth Development Centers.

All DJJ security staff now receive cell entry training to ensure an organized and safer way to manage juveniles who present a risk to themselves or others.
Gov. Beshear filed two emergency regulations on Sept. 25, 2025, to require updates to restrictive housing, formerly known as isolation, to prioritize the safety and mental health of juveniles. The regulations mandate DJJ leadership reviews, approves time limits and requires all DJJ staff who interact with youth to be trained on the new regulation. The changes will help provide clearer guidelines to ensure the measure is being used safely and effectively.