Baxter County Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Baxter Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 870-424-4048.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Baxter Co Jail is a detention center located at 904 Hwy 62 W Mountain Home, AR which is operated locally by the Baxter County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Baxter County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Mountain Home Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Arkansas here.

At the Detention Center, all individuals arrested and taken into custody are transported to the facility for booking and detention. The center accommodates a variety of security levels, with designated areas for low and medium-security risk males, high-security risk males, and female inmates. Additionally, there are isolation and temporary holding cells. The center holds both pre-trial detainees and post-conviction inmates, including those serving sentences or awaiting transfer to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

The Detention Center maintains strict policies on inmate privileges: inmates are not permitted access to television or radio, nor are they allowed to smoke. The facility includes an in-house medical area staffed by a nurse practitioner, ensuring that basic medical care is readily available. Meals are prepared on-site in a full kitchen, where "Act 309" inmates—state prisoners assigned to local detention work duties—prepare food for all inmates. The standard menu includes oatmeal for breakfast, bologna for lunch, and beans with cornbread for dinner. Inmates tend an outdoor vegetable garden, with plants and seeds donated by local businesses, supplementing meals with fresh produce.

Detention Center staff members undergo rigorous training to fulfill their roles effectively. Each officer completes a minimum of forty hours of state-approved training to become certified as Jailers, along with ongoing education and certification in ACIC/NCIC terminal operations, radio dispatch procedures, and BAC breathalyzer operations. Many Jailers also hold Reserve Deputy Sheriff certifications, while all Jail Supervisors are fully certified law enforcement officers.

On each shift, Jailers are assigned to one of three primary roles: Booking Officer, Control Panel Operator, or Communications Console Operator. The Booking Officer handles the intake process, including booking, fingerprinting, photographing, searching, and housing assignments. This role also involves dispensing medications under the direction of the Nurse Practitioner and overseeing commissary operations. The Control Panel Operator manages the facility’s security systems, including electronic control of entrances and exits, monitoring video surveillance, operating intercoms, and maintaining arrest warrants and orders of protection. This structured approach ensures the orderly and secure operation of the facility while maintaining a focus on safety and compliance with procedures.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.