Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (https://kycir.org/series/kentucky-jail-deaths/page/2/)
Trouble Behind Bars is a months-long investigation into Kentucky jail deaths. We found preventable deaths that provoked little to no follow-up, as well as failures at all levels of government. Who is dying in your local county jail? Not even the state Department of Corrections has a true, accurate and updated accounting.
A panel to review deaths and near-deaths in Kentucky’s correctional facilities would be created by legislation introduced in the state House of Representatives. The proposal was sparked by KyCIR’s investigations into jail deaths.
Throughout our extensive reporting on jails this year, one group has been relatively quiet: the Kentucky Jailers Association.
Despite evidence, court settlements and sharp judicial opinions, Kentucky’s Department of Corrections rarely probes deeply when a jail inmate dies. The agency has not sanctioned a single jail in connection with the more than 140 inmate deaths in the past five-and-a-half years.
An examination of a health care system that runs counter to national standards, and often falls far short of meeting medical needs. While Kentucky counties look to cut costs, for-profit companies have stepped in. But inmates are suffering and state officials aren’t doing anything about it.
Last November’s elections ushered in a new jailer and new judge-executive, both of whom promised reforms. But now, Grant County’s troubled jail and local officials are once again at the center of controversy.
A federal grand jury has indicted two former deputy jailers in connection with the 2013 beating death of an inmate at the Kentucky River Regional Jail in Perry County, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday.
The Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting’s recent series “Trouble Behind Bars” has been honored by the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers with its 2015 media award.
A new state audit found careless handling of tens of thousands of dollars, sloppy record-keeping and other issues at the Grant County Detention Center. Auditor Adam Edelen’s office is forwarding its findings to the Kentucky attorney general for “further investigation.”
We’ve received lots of feedback from readers and listeners asking what can be done to address the problems cited in our jails series. Here are some steps you can take to help bring about change.
Our “Trouble Behind Bars” series examined jail issues across the state. Here’s a rundown of our biggest findings.