Welcome

With close to 8,000 employees, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet (JPSC) is the second largest agency in state government.

It is the state entity responsible for criminal justice services, which encompasses law enforcement activities and training; prevention, education and treatment of substance abuse; juvenile treatment and detention; adult incarceration; autopsies, death certifications and toxicology analyses; special investigations; paroling of eligible convicted felons; and long range planning and recommendations on statewide criminal justice reform issues.

As a national leader in criminal justice, the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet's vision is to continuously improve public safety and the quality of life.

"Protecting you through public service... Making your future safer and healthier"

Kentucky State Police Lt. Col. Leslie Gannon, left, congratulated Detective Edward R. Crum after he was named the 2007 Trooper of the Year at the Alumni Club on the University of Louisville campus. (Photo © The Courier-Journal)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 8, 2008) – The Kentucky State Police named Pikeville, Ky.-resident Edward R. Crum “2007 Trooper of the Year” at a ceremony held at the University Club in Louisville.  Thirty-nine other troopers and four private citizens were also recognized for acts of meritorious service and achievement, valor, bravery, life-saving acts, professionalism and dedication to duty.

An 18-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police, Detective Crum is assigned to KSP Post 9 in Pikeville, which covers Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike counties. Capt. Jeff Caudill, commander of Post 9, described Crum as “an aggressive investigator and one of the most highly skilled accident reconstructionists in the state.”

J. Michael Brown, secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, called the Kentucky State Police the state’s first line of domestic defense. “Their act of bravery occurs every morning when they put on their uniforms and walk out the door.”  Read more...

Significant laws relating to Kentucky's criminal justice system were passed by the 2008 General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Steve Beshear, including initiatives to curb the rising costs of incarceration and improve the safety of law enforcement officers. 

• Justice Cabinet announces Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds available to communities
  Thursday, May 01, 2008
  Justice and Public Safety Secretary J. Michael Brown today announced that funding is available through the Cabinet for programs that offer direct services to victims of violent crime. Applications for the funding, which is received through the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), are due by June 13, 2008. And for the first time, applications must be submitted online.
• Secretary Brown names chairs of criminal justice council committees
  Tuesday, April 29, 2008
  Justice and Public Safety Secretary J. Michael Brown has named chairpersons of each of five committees created to review specific issues that impact incarceration rates.
• Kentucky Selected to Participate in National Governors Association Meeting on Sentencing and Corrections
  Monday, April 28, 2008
  The National Governors Association (NGA) has notified Governor Steve Beshear that Kentucky’s application for the NGA’s Center for Best Practices’ “Executive Policy Retreat on Sentencing and Corrections” has been accepted. Kentucky is one of fourteen states that will be sending representatives to the retreat.