Governor Steve Beshear believes the state is spending too much money incarcerating people, many of whom are non-violent offenders who would be better served in some alternative sentencing program. The Beshear folks are specifically eyeing those who have been locked up on flagrant non-support charges. The governor says there are about 1,000 inmates whose main offense is failing to pay child support. At a cost of $20,000 per inmate, per year, Beshear says it would be cheaper for the state to just pay off the inmates' child support obligations. The governor has said public safety is still the number one objective of Kentucky's sentencing system but he believes there might be ways to save money and better rehabilitate criminals.

The Council is chaired by Justice Secretary Michael Brown who told the group he wants to set up five subcommittees to study various issues. Brown also told the panel that they don't need a complete review because two reports on the courts and prison systems have already been written and plenty of information can be pulled from those reports.