By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Following the removal of Amy Boxberger as the director of Central Kansas Community Corrections, the Barton County Commission heard an idea to consolidate the district’s juvenile services and adult program. Marissa Woodmansee presented to the commission Monday morning, stating the consolidation makes sense and now might be a good time to consider the idea for a reset on the departments.
RELATED STORY: Boxberger out as Central KS Community Corrections director
Woodmansee, whom serves as the Juvenile Services director for the 20th Judicial District, was named interim director of Central Kansas Community Corrections in November with the absence of Boxberger.
"As far as things being different, operationally...I can't imagine there would be a lot of differences. We all still have the same mission, community public safety. Whether it's the juvenile field or adult field, that's the ask. The biggest advantage to the adult is freeing up money. If you utilize me as the director over both, then that means my salary would be split from the juvenile and adult."
Out of the 31 judicial districts in Kansas, there are only four that separate their juvenile services and adult corrections programs. The 20th Judicial Direct consists of Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell and Stafford counties.
While the county currently is advertising the job opening for director of Community of Corrections, Woodmansee said she would be willing to oversee both departments. Saving money by reducing a director position, Woodmansee said the funding could be used to assist in the hiring of more probation officers.
"I won't sugar coat it," said Woodmansee. "As far as the adult component, they need probation officers. I ran the report. There are 501 active cases for this district for the adult program. Continuing to be underfunded by the state does not help."
While both juvenile services and CKCC are state funded, they are governed by the Barton County Commission. Commissioners said they would consider the consolidation proposal from Woodmansee.