A new bill in KY legislature simplifies expungement process

by Josh Crawford | Feb 23, 2023

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A new bill in KY legislature simplifies expungement process

A new bill has been introduced in the Kentucky Legislature, House Bill 589, that simplifies the process of having criminal records expunged for people who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or class C felony that does not involve violence, sex, a child victim, or public corruption.Under current Kentucky law, such individuals are eligible for expungement after the completion of their sentence and a five-year crime-free period. Unfortunately, a confusing and sometimes burdensome process prevents many people who are eligible from having their records expunged.

The Center for Opportunity’s take: “This bill does not change the crimes for which expungement is eligible nor the requirements of a crime free period once the sentence is completed. Everyone who will benefit from this bill is a non-violent offender who has made it clear their interest is in re-entering civil society,” said Josh Crawford, director of criminal justice initiatives for the Center for Opportunity.

“Importantly, prior convictions can be impediments to finding meaningful work. This matters for two reasons. The first and more important is that meaningful work, in particular the amount of time someone spends working in a job and building a work community, significantly reduce the likelihood that person will recidivate. Reducing recidivism means less crime and fewer victims. Second, Kentucky has one of the worst labor force participation rates in the country. With such a large percentage of our population having a criminal conviction, we cannot afford to exclude from the labor force those who are attempting to turn their lives around and live on the straight and narrow. Kentucky business benefits from an engaged and motivated workforce — those who have earned an expungement under Kentucky law are these exact kind of employees.”

To learn more about the work we’re doing to increase public safety and assist citizens in getting back to work, click here.

To learn more about the work we’re doing to increase public safety and assist citizen in getting back to work, click here.

KY House bill related to juvenile justice reform advances from committee

by Kimberly Sawatka | Feb 16, 2023

KY House bill related to juvenile justice reform advances from committee

Kentucky’s juvenile justice system is likely to undergo some major changes before the end of the 2023 legislative session.

House Bill 3 is one of several juvenile justice reform-related bills that will be considered this year, according to the bill’s sponsor Rep. Kevin D. Bratcher (R-Louisville).

Josh Crawford, a Louisville resident and director of criminal justice initiatives for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said that portion of the bill only applies to children convicted of serious felony offenses and the information would be relevant when it comes to employment opportunities and firearm purchases.

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First House bill related to juvenile justice reform advances from committee

by Buzz Brockway | Feb 15, 2023

First House bill related to juvenile justice reform advances from committee

Kentucky’s juvenile justice system is likely to undergo some major changes before the end of the 2023 legislative session.

Josh Crawford, a Louisville resident and director of criminal justice initiatives for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said that portion of the bill only applies to children convicted of serious felony offenses and the information would be relevant when it comes to employment opportunities and firearm purchases.

Read the full article here

Who is the most impacted by violent crime? Victims Matter with Josh Crawford

by Josh Crawford | Feb 15, 2023

Who is the most impacted by violent crime? Victims Matter with Josh Crawford

For years, researchers have said that increased exposure to violent video games have had an enormous impact on our children becoming desensitized to violence. It feels like every day—whether it be on our favorite news program or as we mindlessly scroll through social media—we are constantly seeing graphic footage of heinous crimes: shootings, carjackings, vicious assaults, and even murder.

For many people, the current crime crisis we find ourselves in may feel like a fog. But I assure you, many Americans don’t have the luxury of becoming desensitized, as they live each day in fear of becoming a victim. The crime crisis has had drastic effects on our society. And those suffering the most? Our most vulnerable communities.

On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down with Josh Crawford. Josh is the Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives with the Georgia Center for Opportunity where he leads their public safety and re-entry work. He has testified before local and state legislative committees as well as Federal agencies and a Presidential commission. His work has been featured in the places like the National Review, the Washington Examiner, and Chicago Sun-Times, among other publications around the country.

Listen to the full podcast

Bill to reopen Louisville’s juvenile detention center moves ahead, but some voice concerns

by Kimberly Sawatka | Feb 15, 2023

Bill to reopen Louisville’s juvenile detention center moves ahead, but some voice concerns

A bill that would reopen Louisville’s juvenile detention center amid an influx of crimes committed by young people cleared its first committee hearing Wednesday in Frankfort.

House Bill 3 appropriates $8.9 million to renovate the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center, which Metro Louisville closed in 2019 amid a budget crunch. The legislation also provides operating costs for the facility once it opens.

“This bill focuses on the children who have found themselves most involved in street life and most involved in serious offending and serves as an intervention point to hopefully get them back on a positive life course,” said Josh Crawford, formerly of Louisville’s Pegasus Institute think tank and now the director of criminal justice initiatives with the Georgia Center for Opportunity..

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Competing proposals emerge to help Kentucky’s struggling juvenile justice centers

by Kimberly Sawatka | Feb 15, 2023

Competing proposals emerge to help Kentucky’s struggling juvenile justice centers

Kentucky’s troubled juvenile justice facilities have put a call on lawmakers to act. Democrats and Republicans have put out different approaches to curb troubled youth away from crime.

Before the 2023 session started, lawmakers formed a work group to investigate the problems in the state’s juvenile justice centers.

The two Democrats in that group said their proposals are more prevention-focused. Meanwhile, the GOP-backed bill that passed the committee Wednesday would bring a facility to Louisville as well as tougher penalties for violent youth and their parents.

“This bill focuses on the children who have found themselves most involved in street life and most involved in serious offending and serves as an intervention point to hopefully get them back on a positive life course,” Josh Crawford, Director Of Criminal Justice Initiatives at the Kentucky Center for Opportunity told lawmakers.

Read the full article here