Children in the Balance: Kentucky Reforms Successfully Diverted More Kids from Detention, but Now Those Gains Are at Risk
Executive Summary In 2014, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill (SB) 200 with the goal of reforming the state’s...
Criminal Justice
New FBI Data Shows No Evidence of a Violent Crime Wave in Kentucky
Recently-released FBI crime data for 2023 shows a slight increase in total violent crime in Kentucky compared to 2022, but a closer look shows that while some crimes went up...
Crime Statistics Do Not Support Claims of a Crime Wave in Kentucky
The sponsors of House Bill (HB) 5, which will significantly increase incarceration in Kentucky by harshening penalties and lengthening sentences for a broad array of crimes, claim that the commonwealth...
Banning No-Knock Warrants Is an Important First Step in Addressing Police Violence Through Demilitarization
Since the killing of Breonna Taylor by police in March during a drug investigation, public officials, community organizations and advocates have called for bans of “no-knock” warrants, which have become...
Disparate Justice: Where Kentuckians Live Determines Whether They Stay in Jail Because They Can’t Afford Cash Bail
PDF copy - Disparate Justice: Where Kentuckians Live Determines Whether They Stay in Jail Kentuckians presumed innocent should not have their freedom contingent upon their income or where in the...
An Economic Agenda for a Thriving Commonwealth
Executive Summary The way to build a prosperous Kentucky is to create thriving communities that unlock potential in our people. Every Kentuckian — no matter where they come from, their...
Fact Sheet: HB 169 “Gang” Bill is Not an Evidence-Based Approach
House Bill 169 is not a data-driven solution to gang violence prevention. Research shows such an approach does not reduce violent crime, could intensify gang activity and would likely disproportionately...
2 Gen Approach to Kentucky’s Opioid Epidemic Needed
Click here to view a pdf of the brief. As one of the states hardest hit by the national opioid epidemic, Kentucky struggles with high rates of addiction, incarceration, overdose...
Facing Challenges with the New GED Test in Kentucky
Facing Challenges with the New GED Test in Kentucky[1.The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy is a non-partisan initiative that conducts research, analysis and education on important policy issues facing the...
Improving Reentry in Kentucky through Education and Supports for Inmates and Ex-Offenders
With nearly 31 percent of Kentucky’s former inmates recidivating—returning to prison—within two years, a new policy report from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KCEP) recommends that the state invest...