Oakland County Jail & Annex

The Main Oakland County Jail, constructed in 1973, features a maximum security area on the second floor, accommodating approximately 440 inmates in the general population. The intake section on the first floor is designated for processing new arrests, comprising holding tanks and observation cells with a total capacity of 109 inmates.

In March 1989, an annex known as a direct supervision facility was completed. This Annex is attached to the Main Jail and can house an additional 487 inmates. Further expanding the facility's capacity, the East Annex Satellite Facility, located just behind and to the east of the main facility, was added to the Corrective Services Division in 2022, allowing for an additional 398 inmates. These inmates, known as worker inmates, are assigned various tasks necessary for the smooth operation of the facility. Their duties include cleaning the facility, providing meal services, performing laundry tasks, and other miscellaneous jobs. A 24-hour health clinic operates within the jail, providing medical services and housing seven single cells. All of the details regarding the expectations of the inmate in their most recent Inmate Guide (April 2024); Inmate Guide in Spanish (April 2024).

In addition to their internal responsibilities, worker inmates from the East Annex are assigned to several external work details. These include positions at the Oakland County Pet Adoption Center, Central Garage, the Parks Division, and other miscellaneous assignments determined by East Annex personnel. The supervisors at the East Annex oversee thousands of hours of community service work performed by these inmates, offering a means for them to contribute positively to the community while serving their sentences.

The community service work performed by the worker inmates includes various noteworthy projects. Inmates have participated in service hours for the March of Dimes, the Sheriff's Re-CYCLE for Kids program, the Lighthouse of Oakland County, and the annual Coats for the Cold Coat Drive organized by the Sheriff's Office. These initiatives provide valuable support to the community and enable the inmates to engage in meaningful activities during their incarceration.

The Sheriff is statutorily obligated to manage the County jails, ensuring the care and custody of inmates. This responsibility includes providing food and medical services, issuing jail clothing, receiving private clothing for court appearances, and maintaining a safe and secure environment. Additionally, the Sheriff oversees support programs such as counseling, crisis intervention, and adult education, along with recreation, visitation, and chaplaincy services for inmates.

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. 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.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can reduce sentences by one day for every 24 hours of work. Inmate workers receive double feeding trays and two mattresses. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, orders may be doubled. Indigent inmates must miss two commissary days to receive a weekly indigent pack containing basic hygiene items, and indigent mail is stamped only for the Attorney of Record or the Court. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee.

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.

The Corrective Services Division processes approximately 15,000 new arrests annually. Despite ongoing challenges with overcrowding, the implementation of legislative changes, innovative programs, and efforts by the Oakland County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the Sheriff's Office, have kept jail occupancy at manageable levels. A recent initiative is the Electronic Monitoring (tether) Work Release Program, which has replaced traditional in-jail Work Release status.

In 2023, the Corrective Services Division admitted 12,276 prisoners, presenting a significant challenge given the persistent issue of overcrowding. Nevertheless, the deputies and command staff have adeptly managed to maintain an efficient and secure system. The Division also excels in public education about the jail's operations and environment. However, due to overcrowding, the frequency of jail tours has decreased. Some tours are part of the JOLT program, a juvenile court-mandated initiative, while others are conducted in partnership with Oakland County Youth Assistance through the U-Turn Program.

The advancements and upgrades within the Corrective Services Division are a testament to the dedication of its personnel, who continually strive to uphold a secure and disciplined atmosphere in the Oakland County Jail.