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Leavenworth County reports lower recidivism trends, opens first Oxford House for women
Summary
County community corrections staff presented FY25 year‑end outcome reports showing improved outcomes and described a new Oxford House transitional residence for women; commissioners voted to approve adult and juvenile community corrections reports.
Community corrections staff in Leavenworth County told commissioners the county’s programs reduced recidivism and cost taxpayers substantially less than incarceration, and presented a new housing option for people in recovery.
Jamie, a community corrections presenter, summarized key points from the FY25 year‑end outcome reports and asked the board to approve both the adult and juvenile comp‑plan outcome documents. Staff said community corrections programs improve outcomes by addressing criminal thinking, substance use, education and employment in the community rather than through incarceration.
The presentation included prior‑year cost comparisons cited by staff: pre‑COVID prison costs quoted at about $190 per day per offender versus community supervision costs quoted at about $6.50 per day per person. Staff told the board that every dollar invested in mental health and addiction treatment produces large returns in reduced recidivism and improved community stability.
Jamie reported several program successes: Leavenworth County established its first female Oxford House on Aug. 1; the house can accommodate nine women and uses a self‑governed transitional model that requires participation in recovery supports, employment or community service and weekly rent payments. Staff said the county received a grant to help cover establishment fees for additional Oxford Houses and is working with partners including a local attainable housing group and Friends of Recovery Association to find a male house.
Jamie said that as of the meeting the community corrections office was fully staffed and reported an approximate 30 percent improvement in some outcomes over five years across adult and juvenile programs. Commissioners discussed recidivism measures, juvenile caseload trends (Jamie said juvenile caseload rose from about 12 to 43 in five years) and asked for follow‑up details on specific metrics, which Jamie said she would provide.
Why it matters: commissioners said community corrections can keep people working and connected to family and community supports while saving taxpayer dollars and improving public safety. The board voted to approve the FY25 adult and juvenile year‑end community corrections outcome reports.
Ending: commissioners encouraged continued partnership across law enforcement, behavioral health and community providers to build on sequential‑intercept mapping and centralized resource efforts already under way.
