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Lexington Community Corrections highlights mental-health unit, CIT training and rising officer certification
Summary
Fayette County detention leaders described a new mental-health unit staffed by YesCare clinicians, planned Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for officers and said 10,932 bookings occurred in 2024; department leaders touted high certification rates among staff.
Lexington’s Community Corrections leaders described recent changes to mental-health care, training and recruit education during a city broadcast segment that included Council Member Amy Beasley and Chief Scott Colvin.
Chief Colvin said the jail merged medical and mental-health contracts under YesCare and has a mental-health professional “in the unit at all times.” He said the department plans to train officers in a 40‑hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) course developed by the National Institute of Corrections and expects to offer refresher courses to veteran officers so the department can reach full CIT coverage.
“YesCare has put a really experienced team of mental-health professionals on the ground,” Colvin said. He described a mental-health team including named clinicians who are “heavily involved in the standing up of this mental-health unit.”
The segment included statistics: Sergeant Arrington reported that the Fayette County Detention Center had 10,932 bookings in 2024, with about 8,200 males and 2,800 females and an average of roughly 30 bookings per day. Arrest reasons cited included public intoxication, driving under the influence, possession of controlled substances, failure to appear and assaults, including domestic-related offenses.
Major Crawford summarized the department’s 13‑week recruit academy, which includes an eight‑week classroom portion and a five‑week facility training officer phase; recruits remain on a 12‑month probationary period from date of hire. Officers additionally described in-service training plans to provide CIT to veteran staff.
Corporal Waldrom noted an achievement: the department reported 86 certified jail officers recognized by the American Jail Association, and Colvin said the department’s training and leadership helped reach that level.
Why it matters: the department framed the changes as steps to reduce risk and improve care for people with mental-health needs in custody while strengthening staff skills. The training and certification updates could affect detention operations and community outcomes.
Ending: leaders said the department will continue public outreach about training and staffing progress and welcomed continued council and community engagement.
