Dane County Main Jail

You can support your loved ones at Dane Co Main Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 608-284-6100.

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 Dane Co Main Jail is a detention center located at 115 W Doty St Madison, WI which is operated locally by the Dane 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. Dane County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Madison 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 Wisconsin here.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office operates three jail facilities:

• The Public Safety Building Jail, located downtown adjacent to the County Courthouse one block off the shore of Lake Monona, accommodates medium-security inmates and those sentenced to jail with work release privileges. It also serves as the Booking facility where new prisoners are processed and acts as the centralized location for releases from jail facilities. All property, financial, and administrative offices are situated within this facility.
• The William H. Ferris Center, positioned at 2120 Rimrock Road near the Coliseum and Exposition Center, holds minimum-security inmates granted work release privileges. This center also manages the administrative office for electronic release programs.
• Located at 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, the City-County Building Jail houses maximum-security inmates who are either awaiting trial or do not possess work release privileges on their sentences.

Individuals who are sentenced to jail might have the opportunity to participate in the Huber release program, which permits them to leave the jail for approved activities such as employment, schooling, family care, or treatment programs. Eligibility for Huber release is determined by the individual's criminal history and behavior within the jail. The program operates under stringent guidelines, necessitating that all activities during the release are verified and approved by jail staff. Participants are allowed to leave the facility only for these pre-approved engagements, including the required travel time, up to a maximum of six days per week. Failing to follow the required pre-reporting steps could jeopardize one's immediate access to these privileges.

Upon entering the jail, inmates are provided with the Jail Inmate Handbook, which details the facility's operational rules, including those specific to Huber release. Compliance with all outlined rules is compulsory; non-adherence can lead to disciplinary measures that may affect the inmate's eligibility for continued participation in the Huber release program.

The jail has limited storage space, hence incoming inmates are advised to bring only essential items. Prohibited items include duffle bags, luggage, and electronic devices, which must be disposed of before entry. The facility supplies inmates with the necessary items such as jail uniforms, sandals, and basic hygiene products. Inmates may also bring additional personal items, approved by the jail's medical staff or administration, in a disposable bag. These items include a variety of clothing and personal care items, medical necessities like prescription medications in their original containers, dentures, and medically necessary equipment. Furthermore, valid state identification and social security cards are required for those seeking employment during their incarceration.

Once classified and placed in a housing unit, inmates can buy additional provisions from the commissary. Indigent inmates are provided with basic hygiene products. Inmates must also obtain approval from jail staff for any personal property that family or friends might wish to drop off during designated times.

Those interested in jail diversion programs, which offer alternatives to traditional incarceration and aim to reintegrate individuals into the community more effectively, can seek more information through designated contact points provided by the jail administration. These programs are designed to address various aspects of the inmates' needs and facilitate a smoother transition post-release.