The following op-ed is written by Campbell Co. Jailer James Daley, a candidate for reelection in the Republican primary

The Campbell County Jailer is responsible for housing up to 700 inmates daily, the oversight of 125 staff members, an annual budget of approximately $15 million, providing adequate medical care for all inmates, inmate nutrition, providing safe clean and adequate housing, and must do all this while complying with the confines of the United States Constitution, federal laws, the Kentucky Constitution, state laws and other regulations and case law at each of these levels.

I am uniquely qualified to continue to serve as your Jailer based upon my education and experience. Highlights of my background include an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and a Juris Doctorate from the Chase College of law.  

My education coupled with my extensive work throughout the criminal justice system allows me to run a safe, efficient facility. I have over forty-five combined years of law enforcement experience, rising from a Trooper with the Kentucky State Police to the Commander of the Legal Office. I served as the Campbell County Attorney and I have served as your jailer for over nine years. Prior to being elected as your jailer, I served as a member of the Campbell County Detention Center leadership team as Chief Deputy.  

Under my leadership at the Campbell County Detention Center we have recruited some of the best and brightest in the business to ensure a safe and fiscally conservative approach to corrections. My current administrative team has over 30 years of combined experience, their dedication to their jobs day in and day out is second to none. My Chief Deputy retired from the public sector and focuses on jail legal issues to include personnel.  His knowledge has helped aid in much needed raises for our deputies as well as sustainable short- and long-term sick leave programs.  The majors currently serving at our facility also have extensive criminal justice backgrounds include over fifteen years of experience at probation and parole, and serving in different rolls throughout the facility, which allows them to understand the everyday strains of the wonderful men and women working throughout the halls of our jail. Our Lieutenants combine for over fifteen years of experience at the Campbell County Detention Center, these outstanding individuals worked their way through the ranks beginning with deputy jailers to become crucial parts of our leadership team. They each have a unique ability to assess stressful situations and use de-escalation techniques to keep the jail safe and secure. Our Office Manager is no exception, she worked her way from a booking office to being a key component to the jail.  In her role, she helps to ensure our accounts receivable and payable are thoroughly reviewed for accuracy.  This allows us to be the most efficient with your taxpayer dollars.  

I am confident with my leadership capabilities and my qualified team, that we can continue to provide governments number one roll: public safety. Throughout my tenure as jailer I have maintained great working relationships with important public safety partners to include the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, the Campbell County Police Department, and the various city police departments. I also have maintained a close working relationship with the County Attorney’s office and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.  These important relationships allow for us to institute money saving measures such as home incarceration program, inmate work programs, substance abuse treatment programs and a mental health program overseen by a member of our jail staff who has his Phd. 

 Our inmate work program is robust helping the county through liter abatement, and labor needs at different community and non-profit based organizations. Prior to the pandemic we averaged over 11,000 inmate work hours per month! This hard work by our inmates and staff lead to a savings of over $2 million dollars for the Campbell County fiscal court and you, the citizens. 

For the last two years I have had the honor of serving as the President of the Kentucky Jailers Association. I am elected to this position by a vote of my fellow colleagues throughout the Commonwealth.  In this role, I help craft important policy that impacts jails statewide.   I am happy to report that we have had great successes over my tenure.   We have been able to secure greater funding for evidence-based programs, a $4.00 per day per diem increase for the housing of state inmates, the ability to use telemedicine for inmate medical care, and an update to the jail fees statutes that allow our facilities to continue to collect fees from inmates for destruction of property, medical co-pays and other non-funded jail expenses. 

Why am I running again to be your Jailer? I have dedicated my entire adult life to public service. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a police officer and began my quest at NKU public safety at the age of 19. I have always worked in public safety in some manner or kind. I have never regretted nor have I doubted my decision. I have, do, and will consider it my absolute honor to serve the people of Campbell County and Kentucky. Public service is and shall remain my passion as long as my maker allows me to serve.

In closing, I humbly ask for you vote on or before May 17. Together we can continue to have a safe and efficient detention facility.Â