Madison County MS Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Madison Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 601-855-0739.

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 Madison Co Jail is a detention center located at 2935 US Hwy 51 Canton, MS which is operated locally by the Madison 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. Madison County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Canton 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 Mississippi here.

Since its establishment, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has operated a series of jail facilities, with at least five known jails built over the years. The first jail, built in Livingston in 1833, no longer exists. Around 1834, a second jail was constructed on Center Street in Canton but was reportedly destroyed by fire before 1870, potentially during the Civil War. In 1870, a new jail was established on Fulton Street, utilizing bricks from the 1833 structure. This 1870 building is now preserved by the Madison County Historical Society.

In 1968, a 74-bed jail was constructed south of Canton on U.S. Highway 51. Though closed in 1991 and demolished in 2000, this site is earmarked for future office space for the Sheriff’s Office. In 1991, a 250-bed jail and Sheriff’s Office opened adjacent to the 1968 location and remains the current operational facility.

The Madison County Detention Center, a 250-bed facility that began operations on April 1, 1991, offers various cell configurations, including one, two, four, eight, ten, and twenty-man cells, as well as accessible cells for inmates with disabilities. Kitchen, laundry, and medical services are located within the Detention Center, which accommodates both pre-trial and sentenced inmates.

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.

Healthcare at the jail is overseen by a Nurse Practitioner available on-site from Monday to Friday and on-call 24/7. Medications for inmates require prior approval from the healthcare provider, and family members must supply current medications in their original bottles. Expired medications are not accepted and will be discarded.

The Adams County Adult Detention Center also employs a full-time transport deputy responsible for escorting inmates to medical appointments, court appearances, and other necessary engagements, ensuring safe and timely transport.

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 Madison County Sheriff’s Department offers a 7-page Inmate Rules and Information Handbook is available here for your review.