The Dodge Detention Facility, also known as the Dodge County Detention Facility, is a multi-purpose correctional facility located in Juneau, Wisconsin Here is a detailed description of the facility and recent news: Facility Information: The Dodge Detention Facility is designed to house sentenced and un-sentenced male and female inmates It operates in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes, Department of Corrections standards, and the Constitution of the United States.
The facility aims to provide a clean and safe environment while maintaining high professional standards Detainee Information: If you need information about a detainee housed at the Dodge Detention Facility, you may call (312) 347-2400 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Additionally, the Dodge County Detention Facility, which is the same facility, can be contacted at (920) 386-3734 Jurisdiction: The Dodge Detention Facility is located in Dodge County, Wisconsin The Dodge County circuit court has jurisdiction over crimes committed within the facility.
The Dodge County Jail (DCJ) in Juneau, Wisconsin has been used to house immigration detainees since 2002. This comprehensive guide provides key details about the facility and resources for those detained at DCJ and their concerned family members.
## Introduction
The DCJ first opened in February 2001 and is owned and operated by Dodge County government. In July 2002, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, entered into an agreement with the United States Marshals Service to house immigration detainees at the DCJ facility.
Under this agreement, the DCJ serves as an authorized detention facility overseen by the ICE Chicago Field Office and its Field Office Director. The facility can hold approximately 300 immigration detainees at capacity.
This guide aims to provide detainees at the DCJ and their loved ones with important information on topics including visitation policies, sending mail, legal resources available, making complaints about mistreatment, and more. Our goal is to help readers better understand the operations of the facility and processes surrounding detention in order to demystify the experience.
While the DCJ remains in continual operation, certain policies regarding visitation, admissions, and programming may be subject to change or adjustment due to precautions surrounding COVID-19. Please check the ICE facility webpage and Dodge County Jail website for the most up-to-date information before scheduling any visits.
Below we cover everything from how phone calls and messages work, to visitation rules for families, to how legal mail and complaints are handled at the facility. We also provide an overview of life inside the detention center, coping strategies for detainees, and legal resources to challenge removal proceedings. Our hope is to equip detainees and loved ones with knowledge to navigate this difficult system.
## Key Details About the Dodge County Jail Facility
### Location and Operations
The DCJ is located in Juneau, Wisconsin, which is about 40 miles northwest of Milwaukee. The physical address of the detention center is 141 North Main Street, Juneau, WI 53039.
The facility first opened in February 2001 after three years of planning and construction led by Dodge County. The stated purpose was to replace outdated jail facilities and improve operations.
Daily operations of DCJ are overseen by a captain, who manages facility staff members. These personnel include support staff, intake and processing officers, operations managers, and administrators. Health and food services are provided by contracted companies, which will be discussed later.
While the DCJ serves as the main jail for Dodge County and houses regular county inmates, a portion of the facility is dedicated to housing immigration detainees through the contract with ICE. Based on available statistics, the DCJ averaged around 165 immigrant detainees per day in 2021.
The DCJ detention center does not hold any formal accreditations from national organizations such as the American Correctional Association or National Commission on Correctional Health Care. However, the facility states that it adheres to Wisconsin state jail standards and ICE national detention standards.
### Detainee Information and Bond Payment
Family members or friends seeking information about an immigration detainee housed at the DCJ can call the ICE Chicago Field Office at 312-347-2400 between the hours of 8am and 4pm Central Time, Monday through Friday.
When calling, it is best to have available biographical details on the detainee including first, last, and hyphenated names, any aliases or nicknames used, complete date of birth, and country of birth. This helps ICE identify the specific individual in the system and pulls up their case file.
Detainees themselves are not able to receive incoming calls directly at the facility. Phone calls made to the center will not be transferred.
If you need to get in touch with a detainee for an urgent matter, you can call the DCJ message line at 920-386-3743 and leave the detainee's full name, alien registration number (A-number), and your name and contact phone number where you can be reached. Jail staff will then relay the message to the detainee.
In order to post bond and secure the release of a detainee, you must present proof of identity and valid identification at an ICE bond acceptance office. These offices are located across the country and are open Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 9am to 3pm local time.
The ICE bonds website provides information on the nearest bond office locations. You must have the detainee's full name and A-number before calling the office.
Acceptable forms of payment for immigration bonds include money orders, cashier’s checks, or certified checks. For bonds of $10,000 or higher, only a single cashier's check or certified check can be used. Payments should be made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” Credit cards, personal checks, and cash are not accepted.
### Visitation for Family and Friends
The DCJ allows 30-minute non-contact social visits for approved family members and friends of immigration detainees. Visitors are separated from the detainees by a physical barrier and must communicate using telephones.
Visiting hours are scheduled based on the first letter of the detainee's last name according to this matrix:
| Day | Last Name Initial | Visitation Hours |
|-|-|-|
| Sunday | M-Z | 9-11am, 6-8pm |
| Monday | A-E | 9-11am, 6-8pm |
| Tuesday | F-J | 9-11am, 6-8pm |
| Wednesday | K-O | 9-11am, 6-8pm |
| Thursday | P-T | 9-11am, 6-8pm |
| Friday | U-Z | 9-11am, 6-8pm |
| Saturday | A-L | 9-11am, 6-8pm |
To allow time for security processing, all visitors must arrive approximately 45 minutes ahead of the scheduled visit time. The DCJ indicates that visitors who arrive late may not be allowed a visit that day.
All adult visitors must present valid and verifiable photo identification such as a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card. Expired IDs are not accepted.
Visitors who are under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult guardian who is 18 or older. Minors will not be allowed to conduct visits without an adult present and supervising them.
Additional policies for visitation include:
- All visitors are subject to search of their person and belongings
- Visitors must clear a metal detector scan
- No electronic devices, including cell phones, are allowed
- Purses, bags, and other items cannot be brought into the visitation area
- Visitors cannot pass or attempt to exchange any items with detainees
- No photographs or recording is permitted during visits
- Failure to follow facility guidelines may result in denied entry or loss of future privileges
The DCJ reserves the right to deny or cancel visitation for safety purposes or if contraband is suspected.
### Legal Visits and Attorney Access
Attorneys and authorized legal representatives are allowed broader access to visit their clients. Legal visits can take place 7 days a week from 7:30am to 11am, 12:30pm to 4pm, and 6:30pm to 9:30pm. This provides up to 10 total hours of attorney visitation each day.
Attorneys planning to meet with clients at DCJ are encouraged to call 920-386-3743 in advance to schedule the visit. However, unscheduled legal visits are also permitted by the facility at any time within the windows stated above.
To gain entry, legal visitors must provide current bar membership credentials and valid photo ID. The DCJ handbook states that attorneys should allow up to one hour for admittance procedures and security processing.
Paralegals and legal assistants can also arrange visitation by contacting the facility in advance with supervising attorney information. Law students visiting under attorney supervision must present a letter of good standing and photo ID.
ICE detainees have the right to obtain legal counsel, but not at government expense. DCJ maintains a list of pro bono and low-cost legal aid organizations that can take immigration cases or help detainees understand legal options. This list is posted in each housing unit and other detainee areas.
Facility staff are expected to help detainees contact the pro bono legal services organizations if requested. However, the detainee must initiate contact and follow up independently. Appointments or visits with pro bono attorneys are handled through the regular visitation process.
### Consular Visits
As outlined in international treaties, consular officers must be allowed to meet with detained foreign nationals, if requested, to provide consular assistance.
At DCJ, consular officials are permitted to visit their detained citizens at any time. However, the facility requests prior notification when possible and asks consular officers to present official credentials.
To arrange a consular visit, accredited representatives should contact the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer at the Chicago Field Office at 708-449-2488. This officer can facilitate visit requests and communication with the detainee.
### Clergy and Religious Visits
Religious clergy such as priests, ministers, rabbis, or imams are also permitted to visit ICE detainees to provide spiritual counseling or guidance.
Clergy members must make an appointment in advance by contacting the DCJ Chaplain's Office directly at 920-386-3726. They indicate best times to call are weekdays from 8am to 4pm. Messages can also be left at this number.
The DCJ Chaplain coordinates the religious visitation schedule based on availability. Clergy visitors should allow ample time for security processing when arriving.
### Sending Mail to Detainees
Friends, family, or others who wish to send mail to immigration detainees at DCJ must address it as follows:
Detainee's Full Name and A-Number
Dodge County Detention Facility
141 North Main Street
Juneau, WI 53039
All incoming mail is screened and inspected for contraband before delivery. Mail is not read upon opening, only examined for prohibited materials. Detainees receive their mail distributed by facility officers.
Detainees at DCJ are allowed to send mail every day via collection boxes located in the housing units. Outgoing letters placed by 8am will be routed to the postal service for processing that same day.
The purchase of stamps for use is facilitated through the commissary account system. There are generally no restrictions on the amount of letters detainees can send at their own expense.
Indigent detainees, defined as those with no financial means or funds in their account, are provided postage allowance at government expense. This covers mailing essential correspondence such as legal mail or matters relating to their immigration case.
If a detainee is released, transferred, or deported, only their legal mail with be forwarded to them. All general correspondence that arrives after they leave will be marked "Return to Sender" by facility staff and go back through the postal system.
For this reason, friends and family should avoid sending cash in the mail. There is no guarantee a detainee will receive it after departure. Instead, money should be placed into the detainee’s account via money order or online deposit.
The facility handbook encourages detainees to advise correspondents not to send cash through the mail. If cash is received, the detainee will be taken to processing so it can be entered into their account. However, the facility will not be liable for any cash that goes missing or gets lost in transit.
### Sending Packages and Personal Property
The DCJ has strict policies on receiving packages from outside sources. Before sending any packages to detainees at the facility, you must obtain pre-approval by contacting:
Chicago Deportation and Removals
101 W. Ida B. Wells Drive, Suite 4000
Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 347-2400
Only approved items will be accepted and delivered. Any unauthorized items, contraband, or cash included in a package will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
Allowed items that detainees can receive include:
- **Clothing**: Undergarments, socks, footwear (limit 2 pairs). No belts or other accessories.
- **Reading Materials**: Books, magazines, newspapers and other publications. Subject to screening/approval.
- **Legal Documents**: Materials related to the detainee's legal case.
- **Religious Items**: Approved religious texts and headwear. Requires chaplain authorization.
- **Commissary Food**: Must come directly from approved vendor.
- **Other personal items**: Eyeglasses, dentures, approved prosthetics/medical devices.
Note that detainees being imminently removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage with clothing and personal effects. All property must be turned over upon transfer or release.
Prohibited items include:
- Weapons, explosives, flammable liquids
- Tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs
- Medications, supplements, vitamins
- Electronic devices such as laptops, cell phones, smart watches
- Excessive clothing and footwear
Any questions about allowable items should be directed in advance to the Chicago Deportation and Removals Office listed above.
## Life Inside the Dodge County Jail Detention Center
Immigration detainees at the DCJ are housed separately from the general county inmate population. They could be held in shared cells or dormitory settings with other ICE detainees.
Room and board is provided including beds, linens, clothing, toiletries, and meal services. Here is an overview of some basic aspects of daily life inside the facility:
**Meals** - The DCJ contracts with Aramark Correctional Services LLC to provide detainee meals. Food menu selections must comply with ICE standards including providing culturally appropriate offerings. Meals are served in a cafeteria setting three times daily. Special medical or religious diets are available by request.
**Commissary/Accounts** - Detainees can purchase approved items weekly such as snacks, toiletries, clothing, stationery, etc. through the facility commissary shop. Purchases are deducted from their personal accounts funded by family or outside deposits. Accounts are tracked electronically and accessible through kiosks in the units.
**Recreation** - The DCJ allows at least one hour of indoor or outdoor recreation time per day in designated areas. Activities can include TV viewing, board games, exercise equipment, basketball, soccer, volleyball depending on resources available.
**Religion** - Various faith practices and religious services for major religions are facilitated by the detention center chaplain. Special diets, headwear, attire, and other accommodations are available by approval. Multi-faith texts, materials, and counseling are offered.
**Medical Care** - The DCJ provides basic medical, dental, and mental health services on-site through contracted health provider Wellpath (formerly Correct Care Solutions). Care includes intake screening, sick call, chronic care, emergency response and medications. The clinic is open daily with an on-call doctor and nurses.
**Communication** - Detainees can place calls from provided telephones in their housing units using calling cards purchased from commissary. Calls are limited to 20 minutes. Tele-translation services are offered. Video calls may also be arranged by appointment pending facility authorization.
**Visitation** - As detailed earlier, non-contact family visits are allowed on a scheduled basis, along with attorney visits and religious/consular visits. ICE officers also interview detainees regularly regarding their case status.
**Grievances** - The detainee handbook outlines the facility's grievance process to raise concerns. Grievance forms are available in the units. ICE and the Inspector General also accept complaints of mistreatment.
**Legal Resources** - Each housing unit has a law library where detainees can research their cases. Upon request, detainees are allowed access time. Legal materials can also be provided by approved visitors or through mail following guidelines.
## Coping with Incarceration as an Immigration Detainee
Being held in a secure detention facility can take a major psychological and emotional toll. The experience involves a tremendous amount of stress and uncertainty. However, there are some things detainees can do to build resilience and cope:
**Interact with others:** Although tempting, do not isolate yourself. Engage in conversation with others in your unit when comfortable to gain perspective and insight. Being social releases positive endorphins and combats depression.
**Exercise and stay active:** Fitness activities, sports, and recreation offer physical and mental benefits. Most facilities have exercise options. Staying active keeps your mind less idle.
**Develop a routine:** Establish a regular schedule with predictable activities to follow day-to-day. Routines create stability and a sense of normalcy amid the chaos.
**Practice relaxation techniques:** Deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and visualization can all help manage stress and anxiety. Some facilities offer classes on these skills.
**Send and receive mail:** Maintaining letter correspondence helps you stay connected to the outside world. Letters can lift your spirits and provide motivation.
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## Legal Resources Available for Immigration Detainees
Navigating removal proceedings and being held in detention is extremely challenging without legal counsel. While the government is not obligated to provide representation, some options do exist:
**Overview of Removal Process**
Immigration detainees have the right to go before an immigration judge for a hearing to determine if they will be deported. The judge may grant relief from removal based on certain legal remedies. Either party can appeal a decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and federal court.
**Right to Legal Counsel**
The immigration system does not provide appointed counsel, but detainees can hire lawyers or find pro bono representation. Ask the detention facility for the list of low-cost and free immigration legal aid organizations.
**Immigration Court and BIA**
To check the status or schedule of your immigration court case, call 1-800-898-7180. For questions about your BIA appeal, call 703-605-1007.
**Local Pro Bono Legal Resources**
Consult the pro bono legal services listing at your detention facility to find organizations that may be able to assist you or provide guidance. Do not wait - reach out early in the process.
**Other Support**
Aside from legal help, lean on family, faith groups, immigrant advocates, and mental health counselors during this difficult time. Do not lose hope.
## Conclusion
Going through immigration detention at the Dodge County Jail can be a daunting and isolating experience. However, being informed helps gain a sense of control and direction.
Use this guide as a resource to understand facility operations, connect with loved ones, get legal assistance, and access available services. Challenging deportation is easier with strong support. Maintain belief to work toward the best possible outcome.
Phone: 312-347-2400
Physical Address:
Dodge Detention Facility
141 N. Main Street
Juneau, WI 53039
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Dodge Detention Facility
141 N. Main Street
Juneau, WI 53039
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.
