The Monroe County Jail in Monroe, Michigan serves as the primary detention facility for the county. With a current inmate capacity of 400, the jail houses both male and female offenders charged under state and federal laws. The phased construction of the facility over the past two decades has allowed for continued expansion to meet the needs of the growing inmate population.
History and Background
In June 1999, Monroe County purchased 155 acres of land on East Dunbar Road in Monroe Township to construct a new, larger jail facility. This location was selected with careful consideration given to projections for future growth and increased needs of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
While the complete scale of the facility was envisioned from the initial planning stages, cost constraints and immediate space requirements led county officials to approve a phased, multi-stage construction approach.
The initial Phase 1 construction focused on erecting two 80-bed dormitory-style housing units to supplement existing facilities. Additionally, an administrative support unit was included in Phase 1 to provide the core intake, medical, training, maintenance and food service facilities required for daily operations of the facility at a population of 400 inmates.
This administrative support unit encompassed essential spaces like intake booking areas, onsite clinic rooms and medical offices, large classrooms for educational programs, indoor training spaces for officers, maintenance shops and inventory storage, expansive kitchens and cafeterias, as well as administrative offices to house Sheriff's Office staff overseeing administration and operations.
The intention behind the Phase 1 plans was to construct the backbone infrastructure and most vital components needed to smoothly support an inmate population of 400 while staying within budget limitations. Further housing units and expansions could then be added incrementally as needed.
Facility Details and Layout
The Monroe County Jail is located at:
100 East Second Street
Monroe, MI 48161
Contact information for the facility and Sheriff's Office is as follows:
- Phone: 734-240-7430
- Email: tellthesheriff@monroemi.org
The layout and design of the jail covers over 155 acres, with buildings and grounds planned to accommodate all the key areas needed for intake, housing, inmate services, maintenance, administration, and public access. Some details on the makeup include:
Housing Units**
- The original Phase 1 construction contained two 80-bed dormitory-style housing units for male and female inmates.
- As increases in capacity became necessary, supplementary housing blocks with cells were added through subsequent expansion phases.
- Today, separate housing wings isolate minimum, medium, and maximum security inmates.
Medical Facilities**
- Onsite clinic examination rooms and offices staffed by doctors, nurses, and technicians provide healthcare.
- Medical staff are on call 24/7 to respond to emergencies or health issues.
- Medical housing wings accommodate inmates with chronic treatment needs.
Education and Vocational Programs**
- Classrooms and computer labs provide space for GED, ESL, and educational programs.
- Vocational training opportunities in trades like small engine repair and computer refurbishing prepare inmates for jobs after release.
Facility Maintenance**
- Large maintenance shops with equipment and inventory warehouses assist with upkeep, janitorial, and food service tasks.
Administration**
- Administrative offices house the Sheriff, command staff, and others involved with jail operations and management.
- Public lobbies allow secure access for visitors, attorneys, and civilians entering for authorized business.
With the phased expansion approach, current capacity of the Monroe County Jail stands at around 400 inmates, with the ability to add further capacity as needed. Both male and female offenders charged under Michigan state or federal laws are securely housed in appropriate units under 24-hour supervision.
Inmate Life, Services, and Rules
Inmates residing in the various housing units at the Monroe County Jail follow a strict code of conduct and set of rules outlined by the facility administration. Some key aspects shaping inmate life include:
Mail and Care Packages**
- Inmates may receive letters and certain approved care packages from family and friends. These are carefully inspected for contraband.
- Prior authorization must be obtained before any packages are sent or delivered to the facility for an inmate.
- Guidelines specify what items and foods are permitted. Nothing hard, spoiled, or metal is allowed.
- For inmate mail going out, all letters must be left unsealed and placed in provided collection boxes.
Visitation**
- In-person visitation hours occur on Saturdays and Sundays from 9-11am, 1-4pm, and 6-9pm.
- Appointments must be scheduled at least 45 minutes in advance for proper processing.
- Non-contact professional visits for attorneys, clergy, counselors, and mentors can also be arranged.
**Commissary and Approved Items**
- Inmates can purchase approved items like snacks, toiletries, stationary, and electronics through the jail commissary.
- Permitted items deemed necessary for travel may be authorized to be received or purchased just prior to an inmate's release.
Inmate Searches and Security**
- All visitors are subject to search on entry, including passing through metal detectors and undergoing pat downs if necessary.
- Random detainee shakedowns and cell searches frequently occur to check for contraband.
- Refusal to comply with any authorized search may result in denied entry or disciplinary action.
Accounts and Funds**
- Family can deposit funds into an inmate's facility account via money order or transfer. Cash is discouraged.
- Court-ordered fines, fees, restitution, and processing costs are garnished from accounts.
- Account balances follow inmates after transfer or release.
Correspondence**
- Reasonable and equal opportunities for written correspondence exist in accordance with safety and security protocols.
- Postage allowance is provided to indigent inmates without means to purchase stamps.
- Only legal mail is forwarded after an inmate's release; general mail returned to sender.
Accessing the Facility
The Monroe County Jail complex is located on County-owned land on the western side of the City of Monroe, Michigan. Key access points for visitors include:
Parking**
- Paved public parking lots provide ample spaces for visitors' vehicles during check-in.
Disability Access**
- Ramps, automatic doors, elevators, and handicap-capable restrooms enable disability access.
Contacting Inmates**
- The lobby houses video visitation terminals for remote sessions.
- Friends and family can call 734-240-8001 to leave messages that staff relay to inmates.
- Mail can be sent to inmates directly with proper identification and inspection.
Visitation Rules**
- Photo ID, pre-registration, and security screenings are required for all visitors.
- Strict prohibitions on contraband are enforced; searches conducted.
By following the proper protocols, approved visitors can readily gain entry and communicate with inmates detained at the facility.
Conclusion
With its dorm-style housing units and phased expansion approach, the Monroe County Jail provides essential detention facilities for the county sheriff's office and surrounding municipalities. Within the secure confines, inmates are provided health services, education, vocational training, recreation time, and other structured programming to facilitate rehabilitation and personal growth. The administration continually strives to enhance operations, maintain safety, and plan for adapting to future trends in inmate populations and detention needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
**What are the contact details for the Monroe County Jail?**
The address is 100 East Second Street, Monroe, MI 48161. The phone number is 734-240-7430 and the email is tellthesheriff@monroemi.org.
**What are the rules for sending mail or care packages to inmates?**
All mail and packages require prior approval and are thoroughly inspected for contraband. Friends and family must contact the jail to get authorization before sending anything.
**When can I visit an inmate at the jail?**
In-person visits must be scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays between 9-11am, 1-4pm, or 6-9pm. Appointments are required at least 45 minutes in advance.
**What items are inmates allowed to have in their cells?**
The jail tightly restricts personal property. Only pre-approved necessities for travel like clothing may be received just prior to release. No cash, electronics, glass, tools, etc. Some purchases are allowed from commissary.
**How accessible is the jail for visitors with disabilities?**
The Monroe County Jail provides handicap parking, automatic doors, elevators, wider hallways, and ADA restrooms to enable disability access for visitors. Any accommodations needed are provided.
Phone: 313-568-6049
Physical Address:
Monroe County Jail
7000 East Dunbar Road
100 East Second Street
Monroe, MI 48161
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Monroe County Jail
7000 East Dunbar Road
100 East Second Street
Monroe, MI 48161
Other Jails and Prisons
When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE.
Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.
However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.
You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.
You can also try and look them up by using their name.
What is an ICE Detention Center?
Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.
Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.
What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?
ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.
Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:
The illegal immigrant has:
How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?
The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.
It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.
The information you will need is as follows:
If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.
If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.
If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.
Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.
Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.
The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.
If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.
Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.
How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?
The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.
This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.
Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?
The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.
If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.
What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?
(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)
These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.
Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?
If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.
The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).
Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.
Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.
Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.
This facility, known as "Monroe County Jail" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
