Jessamine County Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Jessamine Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 859-885-4558.

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 Jessamine Co Jail is a detention center located at 229 E Maple St Nicholasville, KY which is operated locally by the Jessamine 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. Jessamine County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Nicholasville 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 Kentucky here.

Jailer Jon Sallee has been a dedicated member of the Jessamine County Law Enforcement team since 2002 and has served as a Jailer since 2011. A lifelong resident of Jessamine County, Sallee began his public service career in 1998 with both the Jessamine County Fire District and the Wilmore Fire Department. With over 25 years of service, he currently holds the rank of Captain in the Jessamine County Fire District and serves as the firemen-elected member of the District's Board of Trustees. His commitment to public service extends to his work at the Jessamine County Detention Center, where he is focused on rehabilitation and community service as integral parts of the incarceration process.

Under Sallee’s leadership, the Detention Center assigns non-violent offenders to work details throughout Jessamine County. These roles, often with local agencies and city governments, fill essential tasks that would otherwise require paid employees. Through this community works program, inmates not only give back to the community but also develop valuable job skills that aid in their reintegration upon release. This initiative helps local agencies, such as the County Recycling Center, Road Department, Animal Shelter, Maple Grove Cemetery, Roadside Litter Program, Parks and Recreation, County Construction and Maintenance, and Camp Nelson Heritage Park, while reducing operating costs.

The 96-bed Jessamine County Jail, a medium security facility with a 41-bed capacity, operates alongside the 31-bed Restricted Custody Center (RCC), a distinct building dedicated to housing community and minimum-custody inmates. Designed to maintain a clear separation from the main jail, the RCC provides a structured environment tailored to lower-risk offenders, facilitating a focus on reintegration and community-oriented programs. Together, these facilities serve Jessamine County’s correctional needs by providing secure housing and specialized supervision for varying custody levels.

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.

The Jessamine County Detention Center is committed to upholding ethical and humane standards in correctional practices, focusing on deterrence, education, and rehabilitation to support the successful reintegration of offenders into society.