Saline County IL Detention Center

The Saline County Detention Center, a 32,000 square foot complex with a 110-bed capacity, commenced operations in March 1994 following a lease agreement signed by the Saline County Board with the Saline County Building Commission on August 29, 1991. The facility is operated by 20 full-time employees who are certified by the State of Illinois and are responsible for managing the jail facility and processing inmates.

The operation of the Saline County Detention Center is subject to approval and inspection by the Illinois Department of Corrections and the United States Bureau of Prisons. Inmates housed within the facility are subject to specific legal rights, privileges, and jail rules as established by the Administration.

Rights include the legal requirements for an arrestee while in custody, as conferred by the United States and Illinois State Constitutions and Illinois State Statutes. Privileges refer to designated activities and benefits permitted to detainees of the Saline County Detention Center, which may be revoked by the Jail Administrator or a higher authority for due cause. Jail rules encompass the obligations and responsibilities that detainees must adhere to while in custody, designed to ensure the well-being of all individuals within the facility. Any violations of these jail rules may result in the denial of privileges and/or prosecution under state law.

At the Detention Center, cash and credit cards, processed through courtroommoney.com, are the only accepted methods for posting bonds for individuals incarcerated at the facility. For felony charges, bond amounts are determined by a judge from the First Judicial Circuit of Illinois or by the issuing court if the arrest stems from an out-of-jurisdiction warrant.

Additionally, there is a mandatory $14.00 bonding fee for individuals being released on bail. This fee is applied to cover administrative costs associated with the bonding process. These procedures ensure a streamlined and efficient system for posting bond and securing release from 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.