KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A new report analyzing previous studies of the Jackson County Detention Center estimates a new jail will need to add nearly 300 permanent beds in order to meet capacity demands.
41 Action News obtained a copy of the “Validation of Needs Report,” which provided a forecast of future detention capacity needs and reviewed current issues facing the county’s justice system.
“The main takeaway was the size of the jail,” said Jackson County Legislator Theresa Galvin, who served as chair of the county commission. “That was very important in determining how big it should be.”
There currently are 884 permanent beds at the detention center. In determining the number of beds needed at a new facility, the report looked at the county population growth and charges detainees have faced over the years, among other factors.
The report recommended the new jail start with 1,183 beds with room to add more in the future.
“Planning the site to accommodate potential growth at the outset of the project and scaling site infrastructure consistent with the ultimate projected size of the facility is the most cost-effective means for the county to address medium-term and long-term jail capacity needs,” the report stated.
Another suggestion was changing the layout of the facility. Currently, there are 14 entry and exit points in the detention center complex making it “difficult to maintain security,” which creates “blind spots where detainees may not be directly observed.”
The lack of space, according to the report, also has limited in-custody programs to help reduce recidivism and address detainee needs.
“The new jail is going to take into account the wide array of needs of the population,” Galvin said.
The Jackson County Sheriff oversees with the detention center and will play an integral part in building the new facility. Former Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp is running against current Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte.
41 Action News spoke to both candidates about the new facility.
“It’s in need of replacement, without a doubt,” Forte said. “The big takeaway [for me] is not a physical building but the resources and the services that will be provided in there.”
Sharp agreed more resources needed to be dedicated to addressing mental health. He would like the new jail to be a regional one.
“We have to include all of the municipalities in the county,” Sharp said. “We can share and save tax dollars.”
