Parental incarceration is often referred to as a ‘shared sentence’ because of the impact it has on the community, caregivers, and most importantly, the children. Kentucky currently has the 11th highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. VIEW NOW

This guide offers tips, resources, and conversation starters for parents, caregivers, and community members.   VIEW NOW | VIEW PRINT VERSION

This issue brief highlights the prevalence of parental incarceration in Kentucky, the impact maternal incarceration has on children, and the state policy and practice changes that could hold parents accountable for their actions in ways that allow them to continue to care for their children and become successful contributors to society. VIEW NOW

Children need their parents to care for them and earn a living to meet their basic needs. Unfortunately, Kentucky has a high rate of children who have experienced separation from a parent due to incarceration, which impedes parents’ ability to stay employed and raise their kids. Through smart criminal justice policy changes, more Kentucky parents can be held accountable for their actions in ways that allow them to still care for their children. VIEW NOW

To create safer communities in Kentucky, we must respond to children who get in trouble as early as possible and in the most effective way possible.  Positive or negative factors in a child’s development stack up like weights on a scale and can tip their futures toward good or bad outcomes. VIEW NOW

Youth incarcerated for status offenses, which are acts defined as illegal only because they are committed by people who are under 18 years of age, face greater risk of poor education, work, and health outcomes, as well as future incarceration. This issue brief provides data on youth incarceration for status offenses and provides recommendations for more efficient and effective alternatives to incarceration. VIEW NOW

While secure detention may be appropriate for violent offenses, it is rarely an appropriate or effective option for addressing status offenses, which are offenses that are illegal if committed by someone under age 18. The Reclaiming Futures model has been developed to identify the critical stages for implementing a successful plan for youth who have been or are at risk of being charged with a status offense. VIEW NOW

Though unintentional, the system of juvenile justice results in different vulnerabilities, treatment, and outcomes for youth of color compared to white youth, even when they have engaged in the very same behaviors. This issue brief includes data that shows that youth of color are clearly over represented at some of the key decision-making points within Kentucky’s juvenile justice system and provides recommendations for eliminating these disparities. VIEW NOW