Eaton County Jail

In the State of Michigan, an individual is considered an adult at the age of 17 and may be held in jail. Any inmates sentenced to the State of Michigan Prison system start by serving some time in the county jail. Jails like this, throughout the country, hold diverse populations of inmates from pre-trial detainees those serving sentence on misdemeanor and felony charges to those awaiting transport to the Michigan Department of Corrections Prison system. For example, they may have someone serving time for shop-lifting or someone awaiting trial for murder.

Occasionally non-violent inmates at the facility are granted work release by the courts. If Work Release status is granted by a judge the individual is allowed to leave the facility and report directly to work daily returning to the facility after work hours until they have completed the imposed sentence. This program allows them to maintain their present status of employment, so they may return as productive citizens once released from our custody. These individuals are charged a housing fee of $21.00 per day. Money collected from the Work Release program is utilized by Eaton County for the provision of much-needed services to our area's residents.

Inmates in the facility have access to order various items through our Inmate Commissary. Those without money during incarceration receive only legally mandated hygiene and communication materials for which they will be billed after release. The Inmate Commissary is operated in cooperation with Canteen services Inc and is funded by sales the Counties portion of the review generated is set aside to defray some of the cost of inmate service provided for the betterment of the residents such as education programs. Luxuries like candy bars and coffee are not given to inmates; however, they may be purchased by those who have money other items include health and hygiene, writing and recreational items.

Sentenced inmates at the Eaton County Jail are charged a $32.00 per day housing fee. Billed after they are released if they do not make arrangements to settle the debt, collection procedures are implemented. Inmates are responsible for paying for many of the cost incurred during incarceration including a doctor, dentist, nurse visits and other related medical charges incurred at our facility. The goal of this medical payment and collection system, within the guidelines of the law, is to reduce the burden to the taxpayers.

Eaton County Jail also rents space to other counties when available. This generates money to the County's general fund; thereby, significantly reducing an additional burden to taxpayers.

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Jail has adequate sizes of jail clothing; therefore, civilian articles of clothing will not be accepted at our facility, except under the following special circumstances:

JURY TRIAL: One change of clothing may be left at the Jail for a jury trial.

FINAL RELEASE: One change of clothing may be brought to the Jail for an individual being released.

FEMALE INMATES: May have the following items brought into the Jail. However, these articles are limited to no more than two each during their stay:

– 2 white bras (no wires or metal stays)

– 2 pairs of white panties – regular style only

Due to limited storage space, if clothes are brought to the Jail for an inmate who already has clothes, the inmate must sign a release for any clothing here, prior to accepting any other changes of clothes.

These items will only be accepted Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:15 P.M., except on County Holidays, at the Reception Desk in our Lobby. The only exceptions are clothes brought in for jury trials or release, which may be delivered to the Jail Night Entrance after regular business hours.

INMATE PERSONAL MAIL – Eaton County Jail inmates will only be allowed to receive postcards, no bigger than 5 x 7”, from friends and family, etc., thereby reducing the introduction of contraband into the facility, eliminating inmate to inmate correspondence, and eliminating correspondence between co-defendants while incarcerated at the same time. (This is for non-legal mail only)

Postcards are to be a plain white postcard, no bigger than 5 x 7” and have metered postage.

Friends and family wishing to mail money orders to an inmate of the Eaton County Jail must address the envelope as follows:

• Eaton County Jail – MO
• c/o Inmate’s Name
• 1025 Independence Blvd
• Charlotte, MI 48813

The envelope shall only contain a money order made out in the inmate’s name. No personal checks for inmates will be accepted.

The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office will not be held responsible for cash sent through the mail to inmates.

Inmates will still be allowed to receive subscriptions to magazines and newspapers through the mail.

INCOMING/OUTGOING LEGAL MAIL – Properly identified legal mail will be opened in the presence of the inmate to inspect for contraband. Increased monitoring of the mail will result if anything is found other than legal material enclosed in the envelope.

OUTGOING MAIL – Outgoing mail rules have not changed; please review in the Eaton County Jail Inmate Guide.

Food Services Unit – The Food Services Unit of the Jail is responsible for feeding all inmates in the Eaton County Jail. Providing three meals per day, totaling hundreds of thousands of meals served per year. All special medical diets, such as those for diabetics and food allergies must be prepared properly to meet the needs of these individuals. This Unit is managed by a Dietitian who supervises 4 full-time cooks, 1 part-time cooks, and a number of inmate helpers (called Inmate Workers). By making large purchases and utilizing government surplus food, the Food Services Unit produces an average meal for a very economical $1.20 per meal.

Inmate Educational Unit – The Inmate Educational Unit (Inmate School Program) is run by two part-time teacher’s. One is grant-funded through Charlotte Schools and the second is a part-time teacher from Potterville School's Adult Education Program. Advocating the release of productive citizens into society is far more beneficial than releasing those who are incapable of becoming productive citizens.

Jail Health Clinic – The Jail Health Clinic operations are overseen by two full-time Registered Nurses, 2 full-time and one part-time EMT and a full-time Clerk. A local doctor provides service at the facility once or twice a week and a local dentist provides services monthly. Psychological services are also provided to inmates by Eaton County Community Mental Health Services. Eaton County Substance Abuse and AA volunteers assist with drug and alcohol counseling for our inmates.

All housed inmates receive a physical examination for medical screening, problems, and contagious diseases. Two negative pressure rooms are utilized for suspected tuberculosis cases. H.I.V. counseling and testing are also available. The Eaton County Jail and Medical Clinic are accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Strict standards must be followed in order to maintain this accreditation. Therefore, quality care and operational standards are adhered to at our facility.