FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 6, 2026)– Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today the filing of an emergency motion with the Kentucky Court of Appeals to keep more than 240 convicted, violent criminals behind bars.
In February, the Franklin County Circuit Court invalidated a portion of the Safer Kentucky Act, which broadened the definition of “violent offender” to include those convicted of strangulation, reckless homicide, attempted murder, carjacking and more. Earlier this week, the Circuit Court denied the AG’s request to keep its order from going into effect while litigation continues.
Unless the Kentucky Court of Appeals agrees with Attorney General Coleman and blocks the Circuit Court’s order, more than 240 violent, convicted criminals could immediately be released by the Kentucky Parole Board.
See a list of the violent, convicted criminals who could immediately be released by the Parole Board, along with their county and crimes.
“The General Assembly passed the Safer Kentucky Act to protect families and support law enforcement,” said Attorney General Coleman. “Unless the Court of Appeals steps in, more violent criminals could soon be back in your neighborhood.”
The Kentucky General Assembly, led by Representative Jared Bauman (R-Louisville) and other members of the Louisville delegation, enacted House Bill 5, the Safer Kentucky Act, with sweeping changes to the Commonwealth’s criminal justice laws in 2024.
Criminals convicted of a violent offense are prevented from release on probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or other form of early release until they serve at least 85% of their sentence.
Before HB 5, criminals convicted of offenses like strangulation and reckless homicide became eligible for early release after serving only 20% of their sentences. The Safer Kentucky Act applies to violent offenders who committed their crimes before the law’s effective date, as long as they hadn’t been sentenced yet.
“The Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police supports HB-5, known as the "Safer Kentucky Act". This bill strengthens law enforcement's ability to prevent and respond to violent crime by increasing penalties for serious offenses, expanding the definition of violent felonies, and creating new criminal offenses such as car jacking. The law also enhances penalties for crimes involving fentanyl, fleeing police, and offenses committed with stolen firearms, helping keep repeat and high-risk offenders off the streets longer. By limiting probation or parole in certain violent or firearm related cases and adding stronger consequences for endangering officers or the public. The legislation provides law enforcement with clearer tools to deter crime and protect communities,” said Scott Hildebrand, President of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police. “All law-abiding Kentuckians, regardless of their political beliefs, want the worst of the worst kept away from them so that they may live a safe and more prosperous life. HB-5 helps law enforcement with this task.”
“Letting violent criminals out onto our streets will put Kentucky families and police officers at risk,” said Shawn Butler, Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police executive director. “Kentucky’s police chiefs proudly stand with Attorney General Coleman to uphold the Safer Kentucky Act and keep our families and law enforcement safe.”
“House Bill 5 was one of the greatest legislative victories for the families, communities, and law enforcement of Kentucky. The Safer Kentucky Act spoke on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth that violent offenders belong in prison, not in our neighborhoods,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 34th Judicial Circuit Ronnie Bowling, who serves as President of the Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Association. “Prosecuting violent criminals is not only about earning justice for vulnerable victims, but ensuring innocent citizens are safe in their homes and communities. Prosecutors across the Commonwealth swore an oath to protect the Constitution and public safety; releasing the most violent criminals in our penal system is a roadblock in fulfilling the very oath we swore to protect. Kentucky’s Commonwealth’s Attorneys stand with Attorney General Coleman to defend this law and protect our families.”
“The families of our Commonwealth already face enough danger from drug traffickers and violent criminals. It would be absurd to allow hundreds more convicted, violent offenders to be released from prison early,” said Tommy Loving, executive director of the Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association, which represents more than 400 narcotics officers across the Commonwealth. “We applaud the legislature for taking steps to correct a criminal justice system that has, in many cases, become far too lenient. It is deeply concerning to see that effort partially overturned by a single judge. Kentucky’s narcotics officers stand firmly behind Attorney General Russell Coleman and his continued efforts to keep violent criminals behind bars and protect our communities.”
“I want to thank and commend Attorney General Russell Coleman and his staff for their continued fight for the Safer Kentucky Act. The crimes of strangulation, reckless homicide, attempted murder and carjacking are violent offenses and those convicted of those charges should be required to serve their sentence. Juries have set the sentences of these violent offenders and the law-abiding citizens of this Commonwealth believe that these sentences should not be reduced,” said Lewis County Sheriff Johnny W. Bivens, Kentucky Sheriff’s Association President. “If the Safer Kentucky Act is not defended, violent perpetrators could be subject to early release after serving only 20% of their sentences. The safety of our communities is at stake. The safety of law enforcement is at stake. Early release of violent offenders makes a mockery of the entire justice system and the judicial process. We simply cannot accept violent offenders serving only 20% of their sentences. It is my hope that the Kentucky Attorney General wins this appeal so that violent offenders will stay in the prisons where they belong instead of being released into our communities after serving a fraction of their sentence.”
Deputy Solicitor General Shawn Chapman and Assistant Solicitor General Graham Pilotte filed the motion on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Read the Attorney General’s brief.
(Download graphic here)