Juvenile Probation and Parole

Juvenile parole officers, under the Department of Juvenile Justice, executive branch of state government, administer juvenile aftercare services. The Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice determines the firearm policy for the juvenile parole officers.

In Kentucky, juvenile probation officers are referred to as juvenile service workers and provide supervision for juveniles placed on probation. Juvenile service workers are under the Department of Juvenile Justice, Program Operations Division (which oversees numerous program operations), which is under the executive branch of state government. There is a county run juvenile probation office in Fayette County, which supervises only Fayette County youth sentenced to probation. These are called juvenile probation officers and are under the jurisdiction of the mayor’s office of the local government.

None of the juvenile parole officers or the juvenile service workers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky carry a firearm. They are not classified as peace officers and do not have the power to arrest or take into custody.

There is no statute or policy that prohibits juvenile parole officers or juvenile service workers (state or local) from carrying a firearm.

There are no private companies providing juvenile supervision services.

Adult Probation and Parole

The Community Services and Facilities' Division of Probation and Parole, Department of Corrections, within the Executive Branch administer adult probation and parole services. Fayette County misdemeanants are the jurisdiction of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Probation for misdemeanants is handled in a variety ways and is left up to local or county government. The state probation and parole officers handle serious misdemeanants.

Adult probation and parole officers have the option to carry a firearm. They are classified as peace officers and they do have the power to arrest those under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Interstate Compact cases. Officers undergo psychological testing prior to being hired. Kentucky’s firearm policy was instituted in the late 1950s.

All officers receive firearm education and training from the Department of Corrections, Division of Corrections Training. All officers are required to complete the firearm training each year. They receive range and classroom training and re-qualify each year.

Officers are initially required to carry a .38 caliber revolver or a .357 caliber revolver which is provided by the state. After an officer has completed a probationary period, they are eligible to attend the firearms transition training that enables them to carry a 9mm, 10mm, or a .40 caliber firearm. If one is not available, officers may purchase their own at a reduced cost.

There are no private companies providing adult probation or parole supervision.

For updates or corrections to the information on this page, please contact: Diane Kincaid