Gov. Andy Beshear speaks on DOJ investigation into conditions at juvenile detention facilities

(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — “We have not run away from this challenge, we’ve run right towards it,” said Governor Andy Beshear, responding the department of justice’s investigation into the state’s juvenile justice system.

“They recognize that we have made a lot of changes, and they said don’t stop just because of the investigation that they’re opening,” added Beshear.

Beshear says he has been working tirelessly to help fix a broken system his administration inherited.

“Facilities that were 30 plus years old, we were having nearly daily assaults on the individuals that were in there, it was not a safe environment,” added the governor.

Adding that the changes will continue to make sure they are designed to have the safety features needed.

“To any parent who has a child in these facilities, we’re gonna continue to work to do our very, very best to keep them safe. I do want people to recognize that that safety is important, not just for the juveniles in there, but the staff as well,” also said Beshear.

The investigation aims to see if Kentucky protects children in these facilities from various forms of harm, including excessive force by staff, prolonged isolation, and insufficient protection from violence and sexual abuse.