By Michael R. Grigsby, Editor | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate
Somerset, Kentucky (SPA)---Editorial: For over a quarter-century, I have stood on the front lines of Kentucky’s justice system. From the Somerset Police Department to the corridors of the Department of Corrections as well as Pulaski Circuit Courtrooms, I have witnessed a recurring, heartbreaking cycle: the revolving door of recidivism. We arrest, we adjudicate, and we incarcerate, only to see the same faces return months later, often more broken than when they left.
As we look toward the future of the 28th Judicial Circuit—encompassing Pulaski, Lincoln, and Rockcastle Counties—we must acknowledge that traditional punitive measures alone are insufficient to address the root causes of crime. To achieve true public safety and fiscal responsibility, we must safeguard and expand our funding for Kentucky’s Specialty Courts.
Specialty courts, including Drug Court and Mental Health Court, represent the pinnacle of evidence-based programming. They move beyond the "one-size-fits-all" approach to justice, acknowledging that substance use disorders and mental health crises are often the engines driving criminal behavior. By addressing these underlying issues through intensive supervision and mandatory treatment, we don't just punish a crime; we prevent the next one.
The Impact in the 28th Judicial Circuit
In our local communities, the 28th Judicial Circuit has become a proving ground for the efficacy of this model. These courts are not "soft on crime." On the contrary, they demand more accountability from participants than standard probation. Participants must maintain sobriety, secure employment, and appear frequently before a judge who monitors every step of their progress.
The benefits achieved in our circuit are both measurable and profound:
- Reduction in Recidivism: Statewide data consistently shows that graduates of Specialty Courts are significantly less likely to re-offend compared to those who serve traditional sentences. In the 28th Circuit, this translates to fewer victims of crime and a safer environment for our families.
- Restoration of the Family Unit: We often forget that incarceration has a ripple effect. When a parent successfully navigates Drug Court, children are reunited with families, reducing the strain on our foster care system and breaking the intergenerational cycle of justice involvement.
- Economic Stewardship: This is where the argument for funding becomes undeniable. It costs significantly more to house an individual in a county jail or state prison for a year than it does to supervise them through a Specialty Court program. For a region that prides itself on fiscal responsibility, investing in these courts is the only logical path forward. Every dollar spent here is a dollar saved in future incarceration costs and emergency services.
A Framework of Procedural Justice
At the heart of the Specialty Court model is the concept of procedural justice. When participants feel they are being treated with dignity and that the system is invested in their success, their respect for the law grows. This isn't just theory; it is a fundamental shift in how we maintain the legitimacy of our legal institutions.
As someone currently researching the intersection of criminological theory and justice administration, I can attest that the data is clear: the rehabilitative model works. It preserves the human capital of Kentucky. It turns "offenders" back into "neighbors," "employees," and "parents."
The Call to Action
Funding for these programs is not a luxury; it is a necessity for a modern, functioning justice system. To withdraw support for Specialty Courts would be to retreat into the failed policies of the past—policies that filled our jails but failed to heal our communities.
The 28th Judicial Circuit has shown what is possible when we lead with both firmness and wisdom. We must ensure that our legislators and local leaders understand that Specialty Courts are the most effective tool we have to reduce crime and protect the taxpayer’s bottom line.
It is time to close the revolving door for good. Let us continue to fund the programs that work, for the sake of Pulaski, Lincoln, and Rockcastle Counties and for the future of the Commonwealth.
This is a statewide issue that will undermine the critical support process that is currently proven successful and has been in place for years. I would encourage our readers to share their experiences and concerns with your state and local officals. Below is a list of relative contacts that have great influence on this situation; voice your opinion.
State Executive & Legislative Leadership
Governor Andy Beshear
700 Capitol Avenue, Suite 100,
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-2611
Senator Brandon J. Storm
Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
702 Capitol Avenue, Annex Room 204,
Frankfort, KY 40601
Email: Brandon.Storm@kylegislature.gov
Representative Daniel Elliott (Chair, House Judiciary Committee)
702 Capitol Avenue, Annex Room 329
Frankfort, KY 40601
Email: Daniel.Elliott@kylegislature.gov
28th Judicial Circuit Legislative Representatives
Pulaski County
Rick Girdler (District 15) Rick.Girdler@kylegislature.gov
Shane Baker (District 85) Shane.Baker@kylegislature.gov
Josh Branscum (District 83) Josh.Branscum@kylegislature.gov
Lincoln County
Brandon J. Storm (District 21) Brandon.Storm@kylegislature.gov
Daniel Elliott (District 54) Daniel.Elliott@kylegislature.gov
David Meade (District 80) David.Meade@kylegislature.gov
Rockcastle County
Brandon J. Storm (District 21)
Brandon.Storm@kylegislature.gov
Josh Bray (District 71)
Josh.Bray@kylegislature.gov
Hon. Eddy F. Montgomery (28th Circuit Judge)
Pulaski County Judicial Center,
50 Public Square
Somerset, KY 42501
Zach Ramsey (Director, Administrative Office of the Courts)
1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
Email: ZachRamsey@kycourts.net
Phone: (502) 573-2350
Audrey Collins (Executive Officer, Department of Specialty Courts)
1001 Vandalay Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
Email: AudreyCollins@kycourts.net
Local Leadership
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd
100 North Main Street, Suite 202, Somerset, KY 42501
Email: mtodd@pcgovt.com | Phone: (606) 678-4853
Lincoln County Judge-Executive J. Woods Adams III
102 East Main Street, Suite 2, Stanford, KY 40484
Email: wadams@lincolnky.com | Phone: (606) 365-2534
Rockcastle County Judge-Executive Howell Holbrook Jr.
P.O. Box 755, Mt. Vernon, KY 40456
Email: hholbrook@rockcastlecountyky.com | Phone: (606) 256-2856
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