The final beam was crane-lifted into place as part of a “topping-out” ceremony at Jackson County’s new $301 million detention center, marking symbolic progress in the county’s largest-ever taxpayer-funded investment in criminal justice infrastructure.
The county says that the 1,000-bed facility, located at 7000 E. US Highway 40, represents a shift from traditional jail design toward a more rehabilitative approach. County Executive Frank White Jr. addressed the gathered crowd of workers, officials, and dignitaries at the ceremony.
“Today is a significant milestone in Jackson County,” said White. “This moment represents progress, collaboration, and a commitment to building a facility that meets the needs of our community while reflecting our shared values.”
Following a centuries-old tradition, workers and officials signed the final beam before it was hoisted into place adorned with an evergreen tree, American flag, and county flag. The tree symbolizes that construction has reached its highest point without loss of life.
“You are building more than just a structure,” said White. “You are helping create a place that fosters safety, accountability and the opportunities for change in our community.”
The design-build partnership of JE Dunn and Axiom Construction is over the project, which has required more than 600,000 labor hours and involved over 1,000 workers. JE Dunn Vice President Jeff Jenkins noted crews have placed more than 3,000 pieces of precast concrete and poured 15,000 cubic yards of concrete without any serious injuries.
“The level of skill and quality you pour into this project every day is amazing and something to be proud of,” Jenkins told the assembled workers.
Addressing Overcrowding and Modernizing Detention
The new facility replaces the aging downtown detention center, which has faced overcrowding and deteriorating conditions for years. After studies showed renovation would cost more than new construction, county leaders approved the project with completion scheduled for early 2026.
Lead designer Gary Retel of DLR Group, one of the nation’s top justice architecture firms, told the Martin City Telegraph that the new facility breaks sharply from traditional jail design.
“The projects I’ve been working on in the last 15 years, such as the Jackson County Detention Center, are not about locking people up,” Retel said. “They’re about trying to get people better.”
Gone are the long gray corridors and barred cells. Instead, inmates will find painted walls filled with natural light, artistic murals, and acoustic panels to reduce noise. The 276 cells are arranged in “hubs” of 64 beds each, opening onto spacious day rooms with access to outdoor recreation, classrooms, and medical treatment.
The design reflects modern correctional philosophy promoted by the Academy of Architecture for Justice, which began in 1974 declaring that “the confinement of man in barred cages for detention is not correctional and no longer considered humane.”
Safety, Supervision & Facilities on Site
A key innovation is “direct supervision,” where unarmed officers work directly in housing units rather than watching from security boxes. Research shows this approach reduces violence when officers are well-trained and inmates are properly classified.
“There’s quite a bit of victimization that occurs between residents,” Retel said. “An officer being in the space is reassuring for many.”
The facility includes specialized housing for elderly inmates and those with mental illness or chronic medical conditions. An on-site medical clinic will provide mental health care, dentistry, and telemedicine services.
Two courtrooms on site will allow for arraignments and trials without transporting inmates across town. Retel said this efficiency could help reduce overcrowding by speeding cases through the system.
“By getting in front of the judge quickly, the judge can assess the situation,” said Retel. “They can do other programs that divert them out of jail, depending upon the charge in the circumstances,” he said.
Kansas City Plans Adjacent Facility
Previous plans called for a joint county and city detention center but city officials rejected combining facilities, noting county inmates await felony trials with average stays of 200 days, while city detainees face misdemeanors and typically stay less than two days.
Kansas City has since finalized a $2.3 million land purchase near the new detention center for a planned municipal jail, which would house municipal offenders separately from the county’s detainees.
The city closed its jail in 2009 and has since relied on contracting with rural jails, a controversial practice that has drawn criticism from community leaders and businesses.
Voters will decide in spring whether to approve funding for the new city facility. If built, it could house up to 250 inmates, though officials are still working on cost estimates.
