# Beshear Signs Legislation Creating Kentucky's First Prison Reentry Campus  
**Published:** 2026-04-27T16:35:38.000Z  
**Source:** [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2738)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/beshear-signs-legislation-creating-kentucky-s-first-prison-reentry-campus

Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 5 into law, establishing Kentucky's first dedicated [reentry campus in partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2738), as the state commemorates Second Chance Month. The facility will be constructed at Northpoint Training Center in Burgin and will serve up to 400 inmates annually with vocational and technical education.

The legislation received bipartisan support, passing both the House and Senate unanimously. Rep. Jennifer Decker of Waddy sponsored the bill, which aims to reduce recidivism while addressing workforce shortages in high-demand industries.

"My faith teaches me the importance of second chances, and I am grateful to know this joint vision between Team Kentucky and KCTCS was supported through bipartisan legislation," Beshear said. "This first-of-its-kind reentry campus will increase second-chance opportunities, boost public safety and help us fill vital positions across our economy."

[Participants will receive vocational training in industries that support Kentucky's economy](https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2628&m=296), including advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, aviation mechanics, heavy equipment operations, and emerging technologies. [Participating inmates will be enrolled as KCTCS students and receive intensive reentry services to prepare for success in their jobs and communities upon release.](https://wmskamfm.com/gov-beshear-signs-legislation-to-create-kentuckys-first-reentry-campus-increase-safety/)

The program requires inmates from across Kentucky's state prisons to qualify and apply for participation while maintaining good behavior. [Those who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of employability.](https://whas11.com/article/news/local/kentucky-governor-signs-bills-boost-safety-launch-reentry-campus-kctcs/417-91428a3a-d215-49ff-996c-8666c83ffce7)

[Kentucky's recidivism rate has declined for the second consecutive year, with nearly 70% of people released from state custody not being re-incarcerated.](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/kentucky-recidivism-rate-drops-for-second-consecutive-year-beshear-reports) [KCTCS has identified more than 300 employers statewide willing to hire individuals with felony convictions,](https://kychamberbottomline.com/2026/04/01/kctcs-kentucky-department-of-corrections-advance-legislative-proposal-to-expand-prison-education-and-workforce-training/amp/) providing participants with clear pathways to meaningful employment.

Department of Corrections Commissioner Cookie Crews emphasized the initiative's dual benefits. "Kentucky is safer when we work together to provide inmates with the skills and tools needed to get a good-paying job once their sentences are complete," Crews said.

## Sources

- [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2738)
- [KCTCS partnership and reentry campus proposal details](https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2628&m=296)
- [Gov. Beshear signs legislation to create Kentucky's first reentry campus](https://wmskamfm.com/gov-beshear-signs-legislation-to-create-kentuckys-first-reentry-campus-increase-safety/)
- [WHAS coverage of reentry campus legislation signing](https://whas11.com/article/news/local/kentucky-governor-signs-bills-boost-safety-launch-reentry-campus-kctcs/417-91428a3a-d215-49ff-996c-8666c83ffce7)
- [Kentucky recidivism rate trends and reentry initiatives](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/kentucky-recidivism-rate-drops-for-second-consecutive-year-beshear-reports)
- [Kentucky Chamber of Commerce coverage of prison education workforce training](https://kychamberbottomline.com/2026/04/01/kctcs-kentucky-department-of-corrections-advance-legislative-proposal-to-expand-prison-education-and-workforce-training/amp/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Office of the Governor, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2738.