LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., has laid out his $136 billion budget.

Over the coming weeks, Kentuckians will dissect how Beshear and his administration aim to spend $136.6 billion in a budget proposal he released Dec. 18. Like any state budget, it's wide-reaching. He is proposing an 11% increase in teacher salaries, funding universal Pre-K, giving raises to Kentucky State Police and rehabbing the juvenile justice system (JJS). 

For years, the state's JJS has faced harsh criticism for problems such as short-staffing, instances of violence and even maltreatment of detainees. 

When asked about the state of Kentucky’s JJS, Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) said, “It is flat out a house on fire.” KYA is lobbying for improvement in all sectors affecting Kentucky's children, including education and the JJS.

Beshear said his proposal aims to retrofit the Jefferson County Detention Center and renovate at least three existing detention centers across the state, in Breathitt, McCracken and Fayette counties. Beshear added he would also like to see the construction of two female-only detention centers.

"These projects are necessary because we cannot have low-level male offenders in the same areas as more violent offenders, and we must separate males and females in custody," Beshear said. 

Brooks, who has more than 20 years of experience advocating for children's health and education, said he'd consider this a positive move.

"I think that his mention of retrofitting some facilities should not be minimized," Brooks said. 

Beshear's administration also hopes to fund juvenile diversion, requesting $8 million to fund alternative programs that would keep children out of the detention center when appropriate.

"When that young person makes a mistake, but it's not a violent act, it's not a felony, surely we can do better than throwing that kid in a detention center," Brooks said.