Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
Corrections Division

The Washtenaw County Jail primarily provides lodging and care for inmates sentenced to the county jail for one year or less, awaiting trial, and awaiting transfer to the State Department of Corrections.  Three rotating shifts provide twenty-four-hour supervision of inmates including but not limited to being responsible for the care, supervision, protection, and well being of every inmate. Other duties include transport, releasing inmates, and recreation.  Additionally, they provide information and services to the public such as visitation, arrest information and bond information.

Core Values

Security ~ is one of our most important core values.  Utilizing the least restrictive means necessary, the Washtenaw County Jail will maintain effective security and control of the inmates and the institution providing the essential foundation for efficient and effective, quality based work performance.

Safety ~ includes the safety of our community, staff, inmates and all visitors to the Jail.  All Corrections Division staff members share the mutual responsibility and common role of maintaining a safe and secure Jail.

Service ~ The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office exists as a public service organization.  The array of services the Sheriff's Office provides are broad.  Our clients include, but are not limited to: citizens who require our services, inmates, local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies, various human service agencies, Courts, the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, families of inmates, families of victims, etc. Our efforts are always focused on providing the finest quality help and assistance to our clients within our ability and resources.

Working Together ~ No one person is usually capable of, nor should be asked to shoulder the complete responsibility of operating the Jail and its various associated services.  To be successful as individuals, we must see ourselves as team members and team builders.  It is only through working together, that we will be able to achieve the strategic outcomes we have outlined within this document.

Professionalism ~ We are professionals.  We are required to be alert at every moment, as we secure and care for inmates either accused or found guilty of the most serious of crimes.  We strive to maintain high standards of conduct, service delivery and professional development.  We aim to adhere, at all times, to the mission, values and principles of operation of the Sheriff's Office and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.  We understand that our first duty is to the community and we recognize the important and integral role of the community in fulfilling the mission of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office and the purposes of the Jail.

Innovation ~ Innovation means taking what we have and adding to it, or using it in ways that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our work.  This may mean the creation or enhancements of various systems in the Jail or the addition of technology, or the development of a better way to do something we are currently doing.  This may mean becoming more efficient or effective or finding ways to enhance other core values, such as: safety, security and service.

Primary Strategic Paths and Outcomes

• Professionalism ~ Redefining the nature, dignity and importance of our work.
• Focus ~ Clear and well-defined division outcomes.
• Structure and Teamwork ~ Re-engineering the classical hierarchical authority structure in the Jail to a value driven, teamwork based model.
• Policy Development Process ~ Revising institutional rules and regulations for the control of staff and inmate behavior into a value driven approach.

Jail Operations

Correctional Services - Correctional Services is staffed by civilian employees and supported by a number of volunteers. Together they offer programming aimed at reducing recidivism by providing educational classes designed to assist inmates in achieving their GED, overcoming substance abuse, controlling their anger, reviewing the past decisions they have made and attempting to assist them in making moral and just decisions in the future, providing necessary life skills, and developing plans to return to their family and community better prepared to make the necessary life changes. In addition, staff is also responsible for identifying appropriate funding sources for the placement of court ordered inmates into substance abuse treatment programs.

Correctional Services works very closely with the religious leaders of the community. Many local churches provide religious volunteers who volunteer each week to meet the spiritual needs of the inmate population.

Correctional Services also works closely with the County’s mental health team, Community Support & Treatment Services formally known as CMH. Together they identify inmates with mental health issues and provide treatment, counseling and when appropriate discharge planning for continued care in the community.

Court Services - The Sheriff's Office serves as an officer of the Courts and provides security for the Washtenaw County Courthouse, District Court System, Probate Court and Juvenile Court.

Food Services - The management of Food Services is by contract with Aramark Food Corporation.  Aramark provides three cooks who are responsible for the preparation of meals.  Inmate trustees are assigned to assist in meal preparation, service and clean up.

Medical Services - Provided under contract with a private contractor, they provide a registered or licensed nurse 24 hours per day.  They are responsible for the health of the inmate population, rendering emergency first aid, providing follow-up care for sick and injured inmates, administering prescribed medication and assisting contracted physicians, dentists and radiologists.

Transport Section - Deputies assigned to the Transport Section are responsible for the safe and orderly transportation of inmates between the Washtenaw County Jail and the court systems, prisons, hospitals and other county jails.