Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has appointed a committee to develop what he says will be a compassionate approach to reforming the state's criminal justice system.
Bevin announced the committee at a news conference on Tuesday. It includes state lawmakers from both parties, along with judges, prosecutors and pastors. The group had its first meeting about an hour after Bevin announced its creation.
Justice Secretary John Tilley said the group will have an aggressive schedule in order to come up with a list of reforms in time for the state legislature to consider them when it reconvenes in January. The state legislature reformed the penal code in 2011, but the state prison population has since risen.
Bevin said none of the reforms would compromise public safety.