Company Profile
Jackson County Department of Corrections
Company Overview
The Department of Corrections, through managing the Jackson County Detention Center, plays a crucial public safety role in our community.
The Department seeks to detain individuals -- all of whom have been arrested for a crime, but most of whom have not yet been convicted of committing that crime -- in a way that provides for maximum safety for the community, Corrections staff and the inmates, themselves.
That entails maintaining the facility to ensure safety and security, through locks, cameras and other security and communication systems. But it also includes health care to meet the physical and mental illness needs of inmates.
CLASSIFICATION
Each person arrested must be processed, which involves identity verification, background screening, searches and photographs. Many are booked and released upon posting bail.
Those unable to post bond or are ordered by the court to be held in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center while awaiting trial go through classification. The Detention Center houses those arrested for crimes ranging from petty theft to homicide, but classifies these inmates differently.
Classification assesses the risks posed by and needs of each inmate. The physically and mentally ill are separated from the healthy. Violent and disruptive inmates are separated from those who are non-violent and comply with Detention Center rules and policies.
Company History
In 1958, a used building materials dealer nearly got permission to demolish the buildings and the right to claim the salvaged stone, brick and timber as the price for his work. The abandoned buildings were given a new lease on life when a group of civic minded citizens realized that there was yet another historic role for the unassuming two-story house at the corner of Main Street and what is now Truman Road. The one hundred year old brick home seems quaint and plain from the front, but it is adjoined by a building containing 12 massive limestone jail cells. Enter the freshly incorporated Jackson County Historical Society with the hand of former president, Harry S Truman, making the first restoration fund-raising campaign call in 1959.
Ever since that brush with the wrecking ball, the Jackson County Historical Society has owned and operated the 1859 Jail, Marshal's Home and Museum. The brick and limestone buildings hold an intense history that starts with the Missouri-Kansas Border War through the Great Depression.
Frontier Construction
For the amount of $11,844.20 in 1859--the 2013 equivalent of $325,893.07--the county built a jail and home for the marshal. The brick, Federal style house and adjoining limestone jail was designed by Asa Beebe (AB) Cross, "the pioneer architect" based out of Kansas City.
A Story in Cells
In between the jail's construction in 1859 and the final decommissioning in 1933 a lot happened in the limestone cells--we call it history. Guerilla raider, William Quantrill, met an angry mob upon his release from the facility. Scores of Women and Children were detained behind bars during Order Number 11. The infamous Frank James roamed the halls of the jail and read many a classic book in his cell. In the 1900s inmates were chained together and put to work building new roads for a rapidly developing county.
After the last jailer hung up his keys, the county found a use for the jail and home when it housed several offices, work training programs and government bureaus during the Great Depression.
July 17, 1933 construction for the current court house on 12th street began upon its completion the old jail was decommissioned and moved to the top floor of the courthouse.
June 24, 1984 the jail at the courthouse was closed and the Inmate Population was moved to the New Jackson County Detention Center located at 1300 Cherry Street where it remains today.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
AUGUST 5, 2010 -- This past Saturday (July 31) marked one year since the Regional Correctional Center (RCC) opened for business, and that business -- detaining Kansas City municipal inmates -- has been brisk. Through July 27, the RCC has held an average of 133.5 inmates per day, which means the center is operating, on average, at 85.5 percent capacity.
The Jackson County Corrections Department runs the RCC and the County Detention Center. Both are located on 13th Street in downtown Kansas City. The two facilities are adjacent to the Jackson County Courthouse and connected to one another via a secure underground walkway.
Through RCC, the City and County stopped replicating correctional services, with each running its own independent correctional facility. "After one year, the Regional Correctional Center is running smoothly," said County Executive Mike Sanders. "It's been a win-win situation."
Opening RCC allowed Kansas City to close its Municipal Correctional Institution (MCI), which would have required an estimated $5 million in renovations to remain open. The City paid less than $2 million to renovate the County's Community Justice Building to house RCC, with the building's third floor accommodating up to 108 male inmates and the fourth floor 48 female inmates. The fifth floor is utilized to provide inmate services.
Adding Up The Savings
Kansas City had been budgeting about $4.7 million a year to operate MCI. Its agreement with the County requires the City to compensate Jackson County for running the RCC based on a rate of 150 inmates at $57 per inmate per day. That adds up to $8,550 a day or $3.1 million a year.
View photos
from inside RCC shortly after it opened in 2009.
"The City pays us for 150 inmates a day, whether the actual number is 130 or 150," said Jackson County Corrections Director Ken Conlee. "If we’re under 150, we still have to pay the staff at the Center, and that’s why we have this flat fee based on 150. The [RCC] population varies a bit, but we’re full most of the time."
Compare the dollar figures and add up the savings.
$5 million to renovate MCI vs. less than $2 million to remodel the Community Justice Building to create the new RCC.
$4.7 million a year to run MCI vs. $3.1 million for RCC.
The County Corrections Department added 61 employees to staff RCC. Many former MCI employees accepted new job assignments within other Kansas City departments rather than going to work at RCC as a County employee because they were already vested in the City's retirement plan.
Conlee stressed that RCC has stayed on budget with revenue (the fee from City) and expenditures "breaking even." A City-County advisory team discusses RCC policies on a quarterly basis, while the City-County pact allows for a fee increase of up to 3 percent each year.
More Inmate Services
Sanders praised the Corrections Department for RCC having a successful first year. "When we opened [RCC], we set the bar pretty high, but Ken Conlee and his staff have been able to meet all of our expectations," he said.
At the July 31, 2009 news conference announcing RCC's opening -- on budget and one day ahead of schedule -- Kansas City Councilwoman Cathy Jolly emphasized maintaining inmate services such as the City's Bridges Project, which concentrates on assisting inmates as they prepare to transition back to living in the community. She and Sanders agreed rehabilitating inmates needed to be a top priority to reduce recidivism.
"These are people who will be coming back into the community soon, and we need to be sure they are getting the treatment they need while they are being detained," Jolly said.
"Maintaining every inmate service program they had in place at MCI was important to the City," noted Major James McCoy, Jackson County Corrections Manager of Detention. "We’ve actually expanded on the programs they used to have at MCI."
Jackson County has initiated several services at RCC—Alcoholics Anonymous, anger management classes, group therapy, education courses and the County’s successful Drug Court treatment program—many of which were previously unavailable to inmates at MCI.
"These inmates are not only getting all of the services they would have gotten at MCI, they’re getting even more services," said Ozondu Ugbaja, County Corrections Program Services Supervisor. "Our goal is to do what we can to make sure these inmates won’t be coming back. We don't want to see them back at [RCC] or the Detention Center. We want them going back to the community being law-biding, productive citizens."
RCC inmates are also eligible to participate in a work program that can reduce their incarceration time. For example, for every seven days an inmate works in the laundry, he or she will see four days shaved off his or her sentence.
RCC inmates can receive multiple 'video visitations' that need not be scheduled in advance—compared to a one-visit-per-week policy previously in place at MCI. "We want them to be able to maintain their ties with their families," Ugbaja noted.
Running As Well As Expected
Conlee and Major McCoy both described RCC's first year of operation as being uneventful, which as McCoy put it, "is good news."
"Right now we are meeting the expectations of the City and County in operating RCC," said Conlee. "In terms of inmate services we are exceeding expectations. There are always a few bumps in the road, but we haven’t had any big ones, and we’ve been able to smooth out all the little ones. It's been a successful first year."
Benefits
2015
JACKSON COUNTY BENEFIT SUMMARY
Jackson County offers a complete benefits program to satisfy your personal needs. These benefits are an important part of your total compensation package.
ELIGIBILITY
Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits on the first day of the month following 15 days of employment: Health Insurance Dental Insurance United States Savings Bonds**
Group Term Life AD&D Insurance Disability Benefits* Cafeteria Benefits
Dependent Life/Additional Life Pension Plan AFLAC
Deferred Compensation** Universal Whole Life Insurance Community America Credit Union** Employee Assistance Program Long Term Care Ins** Hyatt Legal Services
Additional Benefits
* (Eligible following completion of probation) ** (May enroll at any time)
HEALTH INSURANCE
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD- 3 PLAN OPTIONS-Deducted 24 pay periods
HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO)
Low Option - Open Access HMO. Employee selects a primary care physician; $35.00 office visits; $12/50/70 co-pay for 30 day supply of prescription drugs.
Per pay period cost: Individual - $23.51; Family - $162.40
High Option - Open Access HMO. Employee selects a primary care physician; $30.00 office visits; $12/50/70 co-pay for 30 day supply of prescription drugs.
Per pay period cost: Individual - $43.34; Family - $235.32
PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION (PPO)
Employee may choose to receive services inside or outside the network of physicians/hospitals.
¤ In Network Benefits:
$30.00 co-pay office visits covered at 90% coinsurance; $250. Ind./$750 Fam. deductible;
$12/50/70 co-pay 30 day supply for prescription drugs; Maximum out of pocket expense per calendar year is $3500 Individual; $7000 Family
¤ Out of Network Benefits:
Deductible: Individual $1000/Family $3000; Office visits covered at 80% after deductible; Maximum out of pocket expense per calendar year is $7000 Individual; $14000 Family$12/50/70 co-pay 30 day supply of prescription drugs.
Employees may use in network and out of network benefits throughout the plan year.
Per pay period cost: Individual $168.14; Family $514.16
Dependent age limit is end of calendar year in which age 26 is reached for all health plans.
TERM LIFE INSURANCE - Deducted Monthly 2nd pay period Standard Insurance Company
Jackson County provides $15,000 basic life/AD&D as a fully paid County benefit. Dependent life may be purchased at $2.50 per month. Dependent life covers:
Spouse $10,000.00
Child(ren)
Birth - 6 months $ 500.00
6 months - 21 years * $ 5,000.00
* or to age 26 if a full-time student
Additional life (employee only) of $10,000, $20,000, $35,000, $50,000, $75,000, $100,000,
$150,000, $200,000, $250,000, and $300,000 may be purchased. Cost is dependent on age. Coverage reduced at age 70+. Medical Health Statement is required for any election
over $200,000.
DENTAL INSURANCE - Deducted 24 pay periods
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD DENTAL - 3 PLAN OPTIONS-Deducted 24 pay periods
DENTAL SOURCE –DHMO – Employee must select a provider. Basic dental care provided at various locations. Specialty referral at discounted rates.
Per pay period cost if family health is elected: Indiv $4.38, Couple $7.13, Family $11.00
Per pay period cost if individual or no health is elected: Indiv $2.19, Couple $3.56, Family 5.50
BLUE KC PPO BASE PLAN – A PPO dental plan which allows you to use any dentist and specialist you choose. The highest level of benefits for covered services is provided when services are obtained from an in network dentist.
*In Network Benefits:
Type I services are covered at 100% of Preferred Dental Provider Fee Type II services are covered at 80% of Preferred Dental Provider Fee
Individual deductible is $50.00 and the annual calendar year maximum is $1500. The deductible applies to Type II services only.
*Out of Network Benefits:
Type I services are covered at 100%, paid at Reasonable and Customary Fees as determined by Blue KC; Type II services are covered at 60%, paid at Reasonable and Customary Fees as determined by Blue KC
Pay period cost if family health is elected: Individual $6.61, Couple $12.24, Family $22.05.
Pay period cost if individual or no health is elected: Individual $4.42, Couple $8.67, Family $16.55
BLUE KC PPO BUY-UP PLAN – A PPO dental plan which allows you to use any dentist and specialist you choose. The highest level of benefits for covered services is provided when services are obtained from an in network dentist. Orthodontia covered for dependent children to age 19.
*In Network Benefits:
Type I services are covered at 100% of Preferred Dental Provider Fee Type II services are covered at 80% of Preferred Dental Provider Fee Type III services are covered at 50% of Preferred Dental Provider Fee
Type IV services, are covered at 60%, Orthodontia (to age 19) and related procedures,
$1500 Orthodontia lifetime maximum.
Individual deductible is $50.00 and the annual calendar year maximum is $1500. The deductible applies to Type II and III services.
*Out of Network Benefits:
You may be responsible for filing your own claims forms and payment for services may be made directly to you. Benefits for covered services from these providers will be less than if obtained from a PPO Network dentist, and you will be balance billed for any difference between the dentist’s charge and Blue KC’s allowance.
Per pay period cost if family health is elected: Individual $10.98, Couple $21.64, Family $36.13 Per pay period cost if individual or no health is elected: Indiv $8.79, Couple $18.07, Family $30.63
Dependent age limit is end of calendar year in which age 26 is reached for all dental plans
CAFETERIA BENEFITS -Deducted 26 pay periods
Open enrollment is November each year; elections are effective January 1. Two plans are available.
UNREIMBURSED MEDICAL FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
This account allows employees to pay, using pretax dollars, for medical expenses which insurance does not cover. The maximum amount that can be contributed is $2,550 per year.
DEPENDENT CARE ACCOUNT
Working parents who pay for day care of a dependent under the age of 13 (or any adult or other eligible dependents who are physically or mentally incapable of taking care of
themselves) can pay for these expenses with pretax dollars. The dependent care maximum is limited to $5,000 per year if single or married and filing a joint tax return OR $2,500 per year if married and filing separate tax returns.
DISABILITY BENEFITS
Jackson County provides at no cost to non-probationary employees a two year disability benefit. The benefit provides monthly income of 60% of average monthly base salary up to a maximum monthly benefit of $5,000.00; with a 90 day elimination period.
ADDITIONAL Long Term Disability Coverage - Deducted Monthly 2nd pay period
Jackson County offers the opportunity for non-probationary employees to purchase, through payroll deductions long-term disability coverage through Standard Insurance Company. Employees may purchase either a 5 year additional benefit or benefit to age 65. Rates are based on employee’s salary and age.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – Bensinger, DuPont & Associates (BDA)
Jackson County provides at no cost to employees and dependents (under age 26) with confidential counseling and referral services. Bensinger, DuPont & Associates include WorkLife services, legal and financial counseling and up to three face-to-face assessment and counseling sessions.
PENSION PLAN
Employees become a member of the pension plan on January 1 of the year following one year of completed service. The plan is funded by the County with no contributions required by participants. 100% vesting at completion of 5 years of service; normal retirement age is 65; early retirement is between ages 55 & 65 with a 5% per year reduction up to age 65 if not “80 & Out” eligible; Normal Benefit Formula - 1.5 X Years of Service X Average Monthly Earnings. “80 & Out” entitles employee to receive unreduced Pension Benefits when employees age of at least 55 plus years of service totals 80 or more.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Deducted 26 pay periods
3 PLAN OPTIONS: VOYA (formerly ING) / MASS MUTUAL / NATIONWIDE
Tax-deferred savings plan for retirement. Employee chooses the dollar amount of deferral and selects one or more combinations of investment options. Maximum contribution is $17,500 or if over age 50, $23,000 for 2015.
AFLAC - Deducted 24 pay periods
This plan covers indirect costs that are not covered by your major medical health insurance. This program pays over and above your health insurance coverage. The following coverage options are offered: Heart & Stroke, Hospital Protection, Accident Expense Policy; Intensive Care Protection; Personal Cancer Protector I, II, & III; Short Term Disability; & Critical Illness.
ALLSTATE UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE – Deducted 26 pay periods
County employees are eligible to elect Universal Life Insurance coverage. Premiums provide coverage to at least age 85, it’s portable – you can take it with you if change job or retire, and coverage is available for your whole family. Statement of Health is not required if you and your spouse are actively working and are under age 65 and under during enrollment period.
HYATT LEGAL SERVICES - Deducted Monthly 1st pay period
Plan provides unlimited telephone advice and office consultations on virtually any personal legal matter with a plan attorney of your choice. Services include preparation of wills, codicils, living wills and living trusts, powers of attorney, deeds, demand letters, promissory notes and mortgages, review of personal legal documents. Also included is representation for: Purchase, Sale or Refinancing of your Primary Residence; Traffic Ticket Defense (No DUI); Wills & Power of Attorneys; Debt Matters & Identity Theft Defense; and Uncontested Adoptions and Guardianships. Plan covers employee, spouse, and dependents for $16.00 per month.
UNUM, LTC - LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE -Deducted 24 pay periods
Long-term care coverage helps pay for the types of expenses one would normally incur for long- term care needs. Someone with a long physical illness, a disability, or a cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer’s Disease) often needs long-term care. Services may include help with activities of daily living, home health care, respite care, adult day care, care in a nursing home and care in an assisted living facility. Employee must complete an Evidence of Insurability Form if electing Plan 4, and/or electing any plan coverage for spouse. For more information and to apply please access the Jackson County, Missouri information site at http://unuminfo.com/JacksonCountyMissouri/index.aspx.
COMMUNITY AMERICA CREDIT UNION – Direct Deposit
Savings Options: Regular savings account, checking accounts, money market accounts, Christmas Club accounts, certificates of deposits, and IRA’s
Lending Options: New and used vehicle loans, home improvement/equity loans, VISA, signature/line of credit loans, share secured loans and student loans
UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS – Direct Deposit
TreasuryDirect is a convenient and secure website that allows you to establish an account to purchase, manage, and redeem bonds and treasury notes. To create an account go to www.Treasurydirect.gov. To establish a payroll direct deposit, provide Payroll with TreasuryDirect account number, TreasuryDirect routing number and receiving bank name.
VACATION - Full time employees earn vacation
HOLIDAYS - Eleven (11) paid holidays plus one floating holiday as follows:
New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Day *President’s Day Truman Day
Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Friday following Thanksgiving Floating Holiday for full-time non-probationary employee
*President’s Day – the third Monday of February OR the day before/after Christmas to be determined by the County Executive annually (not both) and coordinated with Memorandums of Understanding with Bargaining Units
SICK LEAVE - Full-time employees earn sick leave at the rate of 12 days per year or 3.70 hours per pay period.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
• Effective January 1, 2010, County employees may elect either the option of a bus pass or a County provided parking space. County will provide bus pass in lieu of parking space downtown. The County’s contribution will be capped at $65 for a bus pass and employee will be responsible for paying the difference.
• MOST (Missouri Saving for Tuition Program) – A way to save for higher education. This flexible program offers: State income tax deduction, Tax deferral on your earnings, Use of funds at any eligible school in the country, Professional investment management, low initial minimum contribution of $15 through payroll deduction.
BENEFIT INQUIRIES
Contact Michelle Chrisman, Classification/Benefits Administrator at (816) 881-3136.
Any conflict between this summary and the Personnel Rules or Benefit Plan Documents will be controlled by the Personnel Rules or Plan Documents