Andy Beshear on Crime

	Andy Beshear on Crime

Prevent crime by ensuring inmates don't violate again

Making our communities safer is about more than just arresting criminals. It's about preventing crimes altogether. When a crime doesn't occur, there is no victim, no family left grieving. One way we prevent crime is working with our inmates to ensure that once released, they do not violate again. Last year, we did that, securing another record low recidivism rate. A good part of that is thanks to our efforts to provide second chances and real job opportunities. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 7, 2026

Make our communities safer by decreasing recidivism

We're also making our communities safer by decreasing recidivism. Sadly, we can't always stop the first crime someone commits. But for those currently incarcerated, we have an opportunity to teach the skills or trades that can help them become productive members of society, so they don't fall back into criminal behavior--so they don't commit that second or third crime. That's why my administration is working toward a goal of having at least one trade being taught in each of our prisons. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 8, 2025

Requests $35M for body armor for police, first responders

That is why my budget increases the pay once again of our Kentucky State Police troopers and officers. I am further requesting $35 million dollars to fund grants for body armor to better protect our law enforcement and first responders on those days when they are required to run toward danger. Let's make sure every single law enforcement officer has the very best protection. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature , Jan 3, 2024

Justice for cold cases with backlog of untested rape kits

It's been an honor to serve as attorney general since 2016. I have used every tool available in our office to make life better for Kentuckians. That's meant fighting human trafficking, ending the rape kit backlog and protecting health care.

As an example, when I became attorney general, more than 3,000 untested rape kits had been identified. Sadly, we found 2,000 more. That's 5,000 survivors of a horrible crime who the justice system had left behind. But after three and half years of hard work, we've tested every single one of those kits and created a Cold Case Unit to fight for justice. The first indictment from the backlog was from a rape in 1983--the survivor is now 88 years old, but she deserves justice and closure.

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal on 2019 Kentucky governor's race , May 10, 2019

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