Publisher’s note: The following Q&As represent the candidates’ views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. The Primary Election will be held Aug. 6, with voters allowed to select one of the four candidates. As all candidates have filed as Republicans, the top vote-getter will be the Republican nominee in the General Election on Nov. 5 and the presumed sheriff elect unless challenged by an Independent, filing for which is open until July 29 with certain requirements that must be met through the County Clerk’s Office. – KT
1. How much time do you intend to spend on jail administration versus sheriff’s Office administration?
As the Sheriff, I am responsible for both administrations. There is really no way to set a certain amount of time for each one. I have a jail administrator and an office administrator who keep me informed daily (24/7) of any situations that require my attention. There is not a happy medium, you have to problem solve and handle situations as they come along in both administrations. If you ask any sheriff in Missouri, they will all say that the Jail is the biggest liability they have and requires more monitoring of the daily operations than the administration side.
2. What opportunities do you see with the new jail to improve how the county operates?
The new jail will be a 120bed state-of-the-art facility, providing maximum security and safety for inmates, jail staff and the community. Jail operations will be more cost effective due to updated equipment and daily maintenance of the facility to make sure the facility stays well maintained. Better video communications with the court will reduce the transporting of inmates out of the facility. The new larger jail facility will allow us to house inmates for other agencies, if needed.
3. How will you set and assess correctional officer pay?
In January, 2021, starting salaries for a Correctional Officer was $26,000.00.
Beginning January, 2024, the starting salaries for a Correctional Officer III is $36,000.00. Beginning in 2023, the jail staff have been tiered as Jail Administrator, and Correctional Officer I, II, or III, based on their experience and years employed with the County. Correctional Officer III’s are the newest employees with a starting salary of $36,000.00. Correctional Officer II’s are shift supervisors with a starting salary of $38,000.00.
Correctional Officer I is the Assistant Jail Administrator with a starting salary of $40,000.00. The Jail Administrator is the highest paid with a starting salary of $43,000.00. I have managed to raise the salaries for correctional officers by $10,000.00 since I have been Sheriff.
Correctional Officer salaries are reviewed annually by checking with surrounding counties for comparable wages. My goal is to pay a competitive wage in order to keep and hire experienced and qualified jail staff.
4. What do you see as the most important keys to keeping inmates healthy and safe?
The County contracts with a doctor. Beginning in February, 2022, the County hired a full-time on-site nurse to monitor the medical issues of the inmates, the nurse reports issues back to the doctor on a daily basis, dispenses medications, as prescribed, and sets up medical appointments for the inmates that need medical attention and follow-up care. I also require my jail staff to complete 14 hours of continuous education, which includes, on-line training, Taser training, hand-to-hand combat training, use of force training, and CPR training. The new facility will have an AED available on site. The facility has padded rooms which will be provided for inmates with mental health issues. I believe that all of the above mentioned are key factors in keeping the inmates healthy and safe.
5. Do you have any plans to implement or continue any inmate enrichment programs?
The new jail facility will offer GED classes to the inmates by partnering with the Open Minds Initiative which is affiliated with the Barry/Lawrence County Library. The inmates will be mentored by volunteers and will be able to take their tests online at the facility. If the inmates are no longer incarcerated, they will still have the opportunity to continue their education.
Anyone who would like to volunteer/mentor the inmates will have to make application with my office and be approved. The jail ministry will resume when the new facility opens. Anyone who would like to be part of the jail ministry will have to make application with my office and be approved.
Family and/or friends are encouraged to visit regularly with the inmates.
