LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice answered questions from community members Monday evening as they get ready to start their investigation of Kentucky’s juvenile justice department.
The DOJ announced its statewide civil investigation into the conditions at eight youth detention centers and a youth development center in Kentucky in mid-May, in response to allegations of institutional abuse and mistreatment of children.
Some of those facilities are in Jefferson and Fayette counties. It also includes the Adair Youth Development Center — where a riot broke out in 2022, causing injuries to young people and staff. Order was restored after state police and other law enforcement officers entered the facility. In another incident, some juveniles kicked and punched staff during an attack at another center.
Lawmakers in Frankfort have looked into reports of assaults, overcrowding, and staffing shortages as the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice struggles to house increasing numbers of youths accused of violent offenses.
Department …