Howard County IN Jail

Inmate Information

• Meals: Inmates are served three (3) times a day, including weekends and holidays. A menu is utilized that meets the registered dietary allowance for those leading a moderately active lifestyle. The daily average calorie count for the menu is not less than 2100 calories. Meals are never withheld as a disciplinary measure.
• Religious Services: A portion of the Howard County Criminal Justice Center is utilized for religious services. Volunteer ministers from several area churches donate their time to conduct services for inmates. Two services are conducted weekly, rotating units in order that every unit can attend at least every other week. (excluding disciplinary and protective custody units). The Howard County Chaplaincy staff is available for Bible study and individual counseling on an as needed basis as time allows. No religious materials, including Bibles, jewelry, etc., may be brought to the jail for inmates.
• Educational and Rehabilitative Services: GED classes are held during the school calendar year. The Howard County Criminal Justice Center offers AA, substance abuse counseling, One Church-One Inmate, SSDS, Right Start/Right Step and other self-assisting programs including programs from the Board of Health. Applications for these classes are approved by the instructor and approved by jail administrators.
• Clothing: The Howard County Criminal Justice Center does not accept clothing from outside this facility. Inmates can purchase clothing items (underwear, t-shirts, socks, etc.) from commissary. One set of clothing will be accepted one week in advance if any inmate is scheduled for a jury trial. An inmate's personal clothing (underwear, socks, etc.) are collected and sent out two times weekly for laundering.
• Health and Medication: Doctor call is held weekly at the Howard County Criminal Justice and inmates are required to pay a minimal fee for services and prescriptions. Nurse call is available daily and a fee may be charged for this service. Indigent inmates will not be denied treatment, however a negative balance will be held against their account. Indigent inmates will be provided with the minimum necessary healthcare items weekly. Only prescription medication will be accepted. It will be given to the medical staff for conformation with the jail physician and dispensed accordingly. Dentist call is also held on a weekly basis and there is a fee for this service.
• Telephone Use: Telephones are available in the general population pods for collect calls only. They can be used during the hours of 9 A.M. and 9 P.M. except during lock down times. This privilege may be denied at any time at the discretion of the jail staff for several reasons that may or may not be explained. This privilege is not available for inmates housed in restrictive housing and lock down units. All local calls are charged to the called party at the rate of $4.25 for each 15 minute phone call.

Inmate Communications

Inmates housed at the Howard County Criminal Justice Center now have two (2) ways to receive mail: Traditional mail via the US Postal Service and Inmate Email.

• Inmate Email: To send an inmate an email for a small fee please proceed to GTL Network Mail to set up an account.

• Traditional Mail: All traditional mail must be sent through the U.S. Post Office and cannot be hand delivered to the jail. Mail will be delivered to inmates between 2 P.M. and 10 P.M., Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Mail must be in manila or mailing envelopes that are no longer than 9 x 12, and any greeting cards sent can be no longer than 6 x 9.

Pictures are limited to 16 photos, no larger than 5 x 7, and no Polaroids.

Books and magazines are acceptable but must be new and shipped from the publisher or warehouse and front from a bookstore, and an invoice should show they have been paid in full. (No hardback or sexually explicit).

Newspapers may be mailed in by subscription only from the News Agency directly to the inmate.

Any mail containing anything considered "contraband" can be returned in whole to the sender at the discretion of the jail staff.

The following is a list of some items considered to be contraband and are strictly prohibited:

• Any plans for criminal activity, instructions for manufacture of weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcoholic beverages.
• Any threatened blackmail or extortion.
• Any plans for instructions for escape or unauthorized entry.
• Any other materials which would, if communicated, create a serious danger to the security, safety or sanitation of the facility.
• Any materials that encourage sexual behavior which is criminal or in violation of facility rules and would impede rehabilitation.
• Any foreign substances on mail or in envelopes, including but not limited to: crayon, market, color pencil, paint, glitter, glitter pen, glue, lipstick, stickers, tape, whiteout, water marks, questionable stains, staples, paperclips, postage stamps, extra envelopes, stationary, bubble wrap, tissue paper, body fluids, internet materials, laminated materials, plastic or metal objects, edible foods or candies, excessive perfumes, advertising, sweepstakes, or lottery cards.
• Any photos with nudity (bare breasts, buttocks, or genital area).
• Any photos with hand gestures.

Inmate Financial Transactions & Commissary

Inmates are now allowed to have cash in the Howard County Criminal Justice Center. All funds go into an account to be used for medical services, phone calls, and commissary purchases, such as personal hygiene items, food items, clothing items, and writing materials. Inmates on disciplinary lock-down, and diabetics will have commissary restrictions. Inmates order commissary items on Monday, and orders are delivered on Thursday. Money must be deposited into the inmate's account by midnight on Sunday night to allow them to order commissary for the following week. Funds may be added to an inmates account three (3) ways.

• Money Orders not to exceed $50.00 can be mailed to the jail of the inmate. NO CASH OR CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH THE MAIL.
• Funds may be added to an inmate's account using the kiosk in the Howard County Criminal Justice Center lobby. Machine accepts credit card, debit card and cash starting with a minimum of $5.00 and in any dollar amount after that. Funds are ONLY accepted through the kiosk, staff no longer accepts any payments for inmate account.
• Funds may be added to an inmate's account using Access Secure Deposits online. Just use the link and follow the instructions on the Access Secure Deposits.