Department of Corrections

The Department of Corrections is responsible for detention services and manages the care, custody and control of inmates incarcerated at the county jail which is known as the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. The mission of the Department is to maintain a secure facility that ensures the safety of the public, provides a safe working climate for employees, and offers humane and safe living conditions for inmates. One of the statutorily mandated responsibilities of the Sheriff is to serve as the chief correctional officer of the county.

Visit this link to search for arrests, schedule visitation, or see frequently asked questions about inmate rules and regulations.

The John E. Polk Correctional Facility is an adult detention facility housing pre-trial felony and misdemeanor inmates, sentenced misdemeanor inmates, convicted felony inmates awaiting transfer to state correctional facilities and federal inmates awaiting trial in U.S. courts. The facility has a design capacity of 1,396 inmates and typically books more than 20,000 inmates per year.

The Department is divided into three divisions:

• Facility Operations, which includes Security Operations, Facility Support, and Probation/GPS monitoring;
• Support Operations, which is responsible for intake, booking and Release, Classifcation, transportation, inmate programs, and ReEntry; and
• Inmate Health Care, which provides medical screening and treatment, and mental health programs.

A variety of health, educational and faith-based programs are offered to the inmate population. The programs are designed to improve practical skills and enhance character development and ultimately reduce recidivism. The programs offered range from basic computer skills to substance abuse courses to General Education Development (GED).

Medical Services offers the delivery of comprehensive medical services to inmates. Inmates requiring specialized medical care, emergency services, or hospitalization are sent to area medical specialists or hospitals. The on-site jail medical staff is comprised of a physician, a medical director, registered and licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants and licensed mental health professionals. A board-certified psychiatrist conducts a bi-weekly clinic.

Inmates requiring specialized medical care, emergency services, or hospitalization are sent to area medical specialists or hospitals. Contracted providers include psychiatrists, dentists, dental assistants, a consulting pharmacist, an OB/GYN specialist, x-ray/ultrasound services, laboratory services, dialysis services, and mental health and substance abuse specialists.

The facility operates a hydroponic garden that produces a variety of vegetables, which are prepared for meals served to both staff and inmates. Hydroponics is the growth of plant material in a water and fertilizer solution with no soil. The program was established to provide inmates the opportunity to learn skills in horticulture. When operations began in 1996, it was the only one of its kind in the nation.