Busy inmates are safe inmates, which is why the Clay County Sheriff’s Office is collecting card games and jigsaw puzzles for the Detention Center throughout the month of January.

“The community responded so overwhelmingly to the first-ever paperback book and puzzle drive we did for the jail in January 2022, that when new needs arose, we decided to ask them for help again,” Sheriff Will Akin said.

There are still plenty of books from the 2022 drive, but many puzzle pieces have been lost along the way, creating a new demand for puzzles. Inmates also have been requesting card games to play. When inmates are occupied with past-times like these, both they and Detention staff experience greater safety and calm.

Items can be dropped off any time in the Sheriff’s Office lobby at 12 S. Water Street, Liberty, Mo., through Jan. 31. Any organization or business that also would like to serve as a drop-off location should contact Sarah Boyd.

For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, the following restrictions apply:

Puzzles

Only one puzzle per box. Sorry, we cannot accept puzzle multi-packs.

Puzzles must not be missing any pieces.

Inmates have requested puzzles with 700 pieces or more.

Card Games

Can be traditional decks of playing cards or card games.

Card decks/games must not be missing any cards.

Card games cannot include any playing pieces except cards. (no dice, game board, etc.)

Examples of card games we can accept: Uno, Skip-Bo, Phase 10, Apples to Apples, Five Crowns, Monopoly Deal, Farkle Flip, IncoHEARent, etc.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story