Kansas City, Mo. — Jackson County deputies transferred nearly 1,000 inmates from the downtown jail to a newly built $300 million facility.
The new jail, located near I-70 and 40 Highway, is now fully occupied. Meanwhile, the downtown detention center, which had operated since 1981, now stands empty.
The new Jackson County jail officially opened on March 19. Officials then spent about six weeks preparing the facility to receive inmates. The former downtown jail had deteriorated over its 45 years of operation and no longer had enough space.
Deputies began transferring inmates at 3 a.m. Friday. During the move, all inmates were secured with waist chains and leg restraints. Once they arrived at the new jail, staff issued them new uniforms and placed them in new cells.
The new facility has room for up to 1,000 inmates — 200 more than the downtown jail, which had a capacity of 800.
Jackson County leaders are still determining what to do with the old downtown jail. Officials have offered to sell the building to Kansas City.
Kansas City turned down the offer to buy the old jail. Instead, the city plans to spend $25 million on a temporary modular jail near I-435 and Front Street.
Officials expect the temporary facility to be completed before the World Cup, though staffing shortages could delay its opening until after the tournament.
County leaders are considering several possibilities for the old downtown jail, including using it for overflow inmates, demolishing it to sell the property, or redeveloping the site with a new project.
For now, the former downtown jail will remain vacant as Jackson County officials continue weighing its future. The new jail also has space for expansion if additional capacity is needed later on.