For a few years, prison justice advocates have been pleading with the Normal Meeting to take inventory of outdated legal guidelines and ensure they meet the wants of Kentuckians at present.
Many of those conversations have rightfully centered on how the prison justice system approaches people within the strongholds of dependancy. From these conversations, we’ve got grow to be extra conscious of the underlying elements that result in incarceration and substance use and, on the flip aspect, what have to be carried out to assist them flip their lives round. As is the case with many points dealing with our communities proper now, a lot of the issue lies with our establishments and the insurance policies and processes that govern them.
That’s why Kentucky Comeback, an initiative of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to remodel our state’s method to prison justice and substance use, was proud to see the Normal Meeting move a number of items of laws this session that may give extra Kentuckians a second probability at main wholesome, significant, productive lives.
In 2021, people in restoration and people advocating on their behalf labored alongside our legislators to make significant reforms, together with:
• Rep. Adam Bowling’s Home Invoice 7 establishes a “Restoration Prepared” neighborhood framework. An advisory council made up of Kentucky leaders in well being care, therapy, schooling, enterprise, legislation enforcement and the general public sector will work collectively to find out the great sources and companies our cities, cities and counties have to be efficient in stopping and treating substance use problems. Then, they’ll take the following step to implement them in order that Kentuckians in all 120 counties have equal alternative to dwell addiction-free.
• Home Invoice 497, sponsored by Rep. Kimberly Moser, helps Kentuckians exiting the prison justice system receive ID to allow them to get again on their ft extra simply. Having an ID is one thing that many people take with no consideration, however for people who’ve served their time, an ID may help give them a second probability at taking the proper path. The invoice additionally duties the Division of Corrections with issuing a “certificates of employability” to inmates who meet sure schooling and work necessities.
• Rep. Ed Massey led the hassle to move Home Invoice 126, which raises the felony theft threshold from $500 to $1,000. When making use of for jobs, a felony cost can rule you out instantly, even in the event you’ve turned your life round since then.
• Sen. Whitney Westerfield’s “juvenile justice” laws, Senate Invoice 36, permits juvenile court docket judges to make use of their discretion when deciding to switch people 14 and older to grownup court docket for sure offenses. Once we take into consideration individuals who find yourself within the prison justice system, there may be maybe no group extra susceptible than younger adults. They’re at a real crossroads in life; exhibiting them {that a} second probability is out there, if they need it, could make all distinction on this planet.
After years of being placed on the backburner, it has been extremely encouraging to see extra prison justice and recovery-related reforms transfer via our legislature. I’m grateful that we’ve got the help of public officers who perceive that our state won’t make a comeback with out addressing the complicated and deeply rooted issues dealing with our communities.
Kentuckians who’ve served their time and are able to get to work deserve the chance to take action, and that’s why cleansing up our prison justice system ought to be a routine factor. If people in restoration are keen to do the laborious work to interrupt the chains of dependancy, our system shouldn’t maintain them down.
Kentucky Comeback will likely be working with our elected officers to proceed crossing vital gadgets off the record. Similar to a cluttered room, just a little little bit of spring cleansing could make all of the distinction transferring ahead.
Ray Daniels, Lexington, is the co-founder, president and CEO of Fairness Options Group, a strategic sourcing firm that serves technology-based shoppers in 13 states. He serves on a number of neighborhood boards, together with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
