Who We Are

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is one of five departments under the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. While holding youth accountable for their actions, the department is a multi-faceted agency that serves the commonwealth's youth as the juvenile corrections system for the state. The department is responsible for prevention programs for at-risk youth, court intake, pre-trial detention, residential placement and treatment services, probation, community aftercare, and reintegration programs, as well as the confinement of youth awaiting adult placement or court hearings.

As of late 2022, the department operates eight youth detention centers across the commonwealth. Three of these youth detention centers house male juveniles aged 14 or older who have been charged with a violent or serious offense (Capital, Class A, B or C felony). Four youth detention centers house male juveniles younger than 14 or who have been charged with a lower-level offense (Class D felony or lesser offense). The remaining youth detention center is a female-only detention center. The department also operates a transportation unit to alleviate burdens place on local law enforcement transporting youth to and from youth detention centers or to court hearings.

Apart from youth detention centers, the department also operates six youth development centers, nine group homes and five day treatment programs. These centers and programs allow the department to create a nationally recognized continuum of care for rehabilitating delinquent youth. While many state's out-of-home placement options are limited to small numbers of large institutions, Kentucky is able to serve youth in a variety of small programs designed to meet specific treatment needs.​​