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| Director Joseph Schmitz, Division Commander |
The Corrections Division is responsible for the operation of all adult detention facilities in Hamilton County under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Office. With an average daily inmate population of 2000, and an estimated 55,000 admissions annually, the local jail system is ranked in the top 25 largest in the nation.
The Hamilton County Justice
Center, which was completed in 1985 at a cost of 54 million
dollars, is the Division's primary facility (inmate capacity of 1,240).
In addition, the Division also maintains detention facilities at
the Queensgate Correctional Facility (822); Reading Road Facility (148); and Turning Point (60), a comprehensive treatment program
for multiple DUI offenders. Division personnel also provide for
the security of inmates admitted to University Hospital and for
juveniles who are to be tried as adults. The total system capacity
is 2,270.
To provide for the general welfare of inmates, the Corrections Division administers a wide variety of programs and services including an accredited Health Services Section (medical, dental and psychiatric), a commercially equipped laundry, and an institutional kitchen that prepares 200,000 meals a month. Division Staff are also responsible for the supervision of inmate recreation programs and for the efficient operation of the commissary, mail and property room services. A computerized Jail Management System assist staff and other criminal justice agencies in locating and maintaining accurate information on the inmate population.
In cooperation with various community organizations, inmates are offered an opportunity to participate in religious, educational and social services programs. For example, through an affiliation with the Council of Christian Communions, the Division Adult Jail Chaplaincy Program provides for the religious and spiritual needs of the inmates.
The Division offers an Adult
Education Program addressing the need of the incarcerated adult
learner, whose skills range from illiteracy to some college. The
voluntary program serves approximately 1000 inmates a year.
Hamilton County is the only Sheriff's Office in Ohio to offer
final GED Testing on-site for qualifying students.
The magnitude of the community's financial investment in providing adequate detention facilities requires the responsible utilization of all resources. The Corrections Division recognizes that responsibility and the obligation to maintain a safe and secure environment for those individuals committed to the Division's care and custody.