MI DOC - Cooper Street Correctional Facility (JCS)

You can support your loved ones at Cooper St Correctional on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 517-780-6175.

Located at 3100 Cooper St in Jackson, MI, Cooper St Correctional carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Cooper St Correctional offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on MI DOC - Cooper Street Correctional Facility (JCS) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison 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. 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.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches 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. Prisons and jails enforce 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.

Michigan State Prison or Jackson State Prison (JCS), which opened in 1839, was the first prison in Michigan. After 150 years, the prison was divided, starting in 1988, into four distinct prisons, still in Jackson along with the Cooper Street Correctional Facility (opened in 1997, it is rehabilitation for male offenders aged 18 and older), the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility where inmates can finish their general education the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center which is the common point of processing for all-male state prisoners sentenced to any Michigan prison; and the Parnall Correctional Facility which is the common point for processing of all-male state prisoners about to discharge, parole, or enter a community center or the camp program. Situated across from the historic State Prison of Southern Michigan, the facility, formerly known as the Michigan Parole Camp, underwent expansion and transformation to emerge as a Secure Level I prison, boasting enhanced security measures and an increased capacity of 1,752 beds.

Operating as a release facility, Cooper Street plays a pivotal role in facilitating the transition of prisoners nearing parole, discharge, or transfer to community center placement. As an active participant in the Department's Community Liaison Committee in Jackson County, the facility maintains transparent communication channels between the community and prison administration, fostering understanding and cooperation.

The programming at Cooper Street Correctional Facility is diverse and tailored to address the multifaceted needs of the prisoner population. Academic offerings include Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Degree (GED), and higher education opportunities in collaboration with esteemed institutions such as Jackson College, MSU Inside/Out Program, and U of M Programming. Religious and community organizations, including PAWS for a Cause, JCS Garden Program, Veterans, and Men of Merit, contribute to the holistic development of prisoners.

Core evidence-based programming, such as Advanced Substance Abuse Treatment, Michigan Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (MSAPP), and Thinking for a Change, underscores the facility's commitment to promoting positive behavioral change and preparing prisoners for successful reintegration into society. Cooper Street Correctional Facility is designated as the In-Reach Facility for offenders granted a P-70 parole, serving the region encompassing Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.

Routine medical, dental, and mental health services are readily available on-site, with serious medical issues referred to the department's Duane L. Waters Health Center or Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital when necessary.

Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI) represents a pioneering initiative at Cooper Street, offering an alternative to traditional incarceration for probationers convicted of certain offenses. This regimented 90-day program focuses on instilling positive values and behaviors through paramilitary discipline, cognitive behavior restructuring, and vocational training. SAI operates in three phases—Getting Ready, Going Home, and Staying Home—culminating in supervised parole aimed at promoting offender success.

Security measures at Cooper Street Correctional Facility are robust, reflective of its Secure Level I classification. With two high chain-link fences, rolls of razor ribbon wire, perimeter detection systems, and armed perimeter security vehicles patrolling the grounds, the facility prioritizes safety and security to ensure the well-being of both staff and prisoners. An alert response vehicle stands ready to provide backup support when needed, underscoring the facility's unwavering commitment to maintaining a secure environment conducive to rehabilitation and reintegration.