Othel Moore Investigation

June 28, 2024

Corrections team:

It’s important to me that you are kept informed about what happens in the Missouri Department of Corrections. For that reason, I want to reach out directly and let you know about an incident that occurred at one of our facilities and the outcome of the investigations that followed.

On Dec. 8, 2023, Othel Moore died at Jefferson City Correctional Center following a cell search while in a restraint system designed to prevent injury to himself and others. The department has discontinued use of the restraint system in which Moore was held.

The Cole County Sheriff’s Department has completed its investigation into this death. At the conclusion of the outside law enforcement investigation, Cole County Prosecutor Thompson has elected to press felony charges against five former corrections staff members in connection to the surrounding circumstances. All are presumed innocent pending the outcome of the court process.

The Missouri Department of Corrections has cooperated with outside law enforcement throughout the investigation, beginning with the reporting of Moore’s death, and will continue to cooperate. In addition, the department previously conducted a separate internal investigation. As a result of the two investigations, ten people involved in the incident are no longer employed by the department or its contractors.

We have taken and will continue to take steps necessary to mitigate safety risks to everyone in our facilities.  The department has begun implementing body-worn cameras in restrictive-housing units at maximum-security facilities, starting with Jefferson City Correctional Center, to bolster both security and accountability.

As you know, in the Missouri Department of Corrections, we hold ourselves to a high standard. We take our responsibility to public safety seriously, and we value the important roles all of us play in creating a safe and secure environment for our teams and for the people in our custody.

I understand that this isolated and tragic incident neither reflects nor represents our organization. It does not diminish the positive and life-changing work the people in this department do every day. I am proud of you and your commitment to public service, and I am honored to be your director.

I know this is a difficult time for the corrections family. Please continue to ensure that we follow appropriate policies and procedures in our day-to-day work. Please continue to safeguard our workplaces. And please, as always, take care of each other.

Trevor Foley
Acting Director