Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Kerry Harvey retiring in February

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — It’s been two weeks since it was announced the current Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice, Vicki Reed is retiring effective January 1st.
Now, current Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Kerry Harvey is also retiring.

“It’s always difficult to lose someone on your team who brings creative solutions and again, who doesn’t run from challenges, he runs towards them committed to making whatever situation we’re faced in better, doing everything we can to get better outcomes for people. Thank you for your service, Kerry,” said Governor Andy Beshear during a Team Kentucky update on Thursday.

Harvey was appointed by the governor on August 3rd, 2021.

“He’s a great guy though and I think he tried his best. You know, there’s just a lot of things since COVID that government and the whole country is having to work with and until we completely recover from the COVID situations. We’re gonna have disorganization,” says Representative Kevin Bratcher, who represents the 29th district.

After a string of controversies at various juvenile detention centers, many lawmakers demanded changes to the administration. Harvey will officially retire on February 1st.

“He tried his best and, you know, there’s a lot of things that he did improve, so I appreciate him for his service,” added Rep. Bratcher.

Bratcher has been outspoken about the ongoing issues at the Department of Juvenile Justice.

“My advice to the new, cabinet secretary is that they come in with eyes wide open, willing to work and listen to ideas from the legislature and from, from law enforcement and from social services and try to put them all together in that perfect puzzle that will help our children in Kentucky because they need it really bad,” he added.

Meanwhile, Secretary Kerry Harvey releasing he following statement:

“It has been an honor to serve the commonwealth as Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. I have been blessed to work with an executive team comprised of talented, mission-oriented people who work hard every day for the people of Kentucky and who are tasked with meeting some of the most difficult challenges facing our society. It has been a special privilege to serve with the more than 7,000 men and women of the cabinet and I’m proud to be associated with their work. Kentucky has made great advances under the leadership of Governor Beshear and Lt. Governor Coleman, and I’m sure the best is yet to come. The opportunity to work with Governor Beshear and his excellent team has truly been a highlight of my career. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served in the Beshear-Coleman administration and eagerly anticipate continued progress for our commonwealth.”

Morgan Hall, Communications Director of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet also releasing the following statement:

“Secretary Harvey will be retiring from public service effective February 1. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding reentry services, advocating for raises for public safety officers, implementing positive changes to the juvenile justice system, supporting law enforcement and creating more secure facilities for those in state custody.”

While Senate President Pro Tem David Givens saying: “with these retirements, there is an opportunity for the Kentucky Justice Cabinet, and perhaps more critically the Department of Juvenile Justice, to undergo the change of culture required to best serve DJJ staff and Kentucky’s troubled youth.”