Marion County KY Detention Center & JRC

You can support your loved ones at Marion Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 270-692-5802.

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 Marion Co Jail is a detention center located at 201 Warehouse Rd Lebanon, KY which is operated locally by the Marion 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. Marion County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Lebanon 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.

The Marion County Detention Center (MCDC), a facility with a 217-bed capacity, operates alongside the 80-bed Jail Restricted Custody (JRC), designed for housing community and minimum-custody inmates. Designed to maintain a clear separation from the main jail, the JRC provides a structured environment tailored to lower-risk offenders, facilitating a focus on reintegration and community-oriented programs. Together, overseen by Jailer J. Barry Brady, these facilities serve Marion 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.

The commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, spending limits may be increased. 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.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. MCDC engages inmates in a variety of community-oriented programs that support local services and public events. The Mowing Crew, supervised by MCDC officers, maintains approximately 30 acres across multiple public spaces, including parks, community centers, and government facilities throughout Marion County. These areas include Raywick City Park, St. Joe Community Center, Gravel Switch Fire Department, and Marion County Public Library, among others. Additionally, the inmate crew assists Marion County Community Action with distributing essential commodities twice a month, underscoring the facility's commitment to community aid.

The center also facilitates inmate involvement in various recycling initiatives, with operations running five days a week in Marion and Washington Counties, the City Park, and Lebanon. Moreover, MCDC inmates and staff lend support to community events like the Marion County Ham Days Festival in September, the St. Joe Community Center Picnic in June, and the Raywick Homecoming in July, where they assist with setup and cleanup tasks. Other ongoing services include aiding the Marion County Animal Shelter, which operates daily, and supporting the Marion County Road Department and Sanitation services.

These programs reflect MCDC’s proactive role in community collaboration, offering structured, supervised opportunities for inmates to contribute positively to public welfare and environmental upkeep.