Full Notification

Contact: Katie Carlson, PIO
Desk: 317-327-6979
Mobile: 317-374-6365

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2014

Indiana DOC Inspectors Praise Marion County Jail Operations

On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, jail inspectors from the Indiana Department of Correction conducted their annual inspection of the Marion County Jail, operated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The Inspectors included Mr. Kenny Whipker, the Executive Liaison for Sheriff and Jail Operations, and Mr. Lee Hoard.  After the one-day inspection, the inspectors were copious in their praise for the condition and operation of the Jail.

While reviewing the results of the inspection with Sheriff’s Office personnel, the inspectors were extremely complementary of the condition of the Jail. They reported that there were no complaints from inmates and that inmate morale was good, which is considered an indication of high quality jail operations. The inspectors also remarked that the morale of the Deputies in the jail was high, and that the jail kitchen was very clean compared to the many jail kitchens they have inspected.

In comparison to previous years, the inspectors remarked that there have been “some magnificent changes” in the condition of the Marion County Jail. The inspectors commented that this level of cleanliness is very difficult to maintain in a facility as antiquated as the Marion County Jail (originally erected in 1964 and expanded in 1986). In addressing the issue of in-custody deaths in the Marion County Jail, inspectors commented that, with a jail operation as large and populous as the Marion County Jail, the number of in-custody deaths was very low.

In addressing the manner in which Jail personnel have put together advisories concerning the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the inspectors noted that the jail’s PREA Advisory is equal to the best they’ve seen.

In reference to accreditations that the Marion County Jail has received from the American Correctional Association, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, one of the inspectors commented, “I’ve read your accreditation report and the scores that you received are fantastic.” The Marion County Jail has achieved all three of those national accreditations, an achievement that is referred to as the “Triple Crown of Accreditation.”  Less than 1% of the Sheriffs’ Offices in the United Sates have achieved the Triple Crown.

In response to the DOC inspectors’ praise, Sheriff Layton stated: “I am so proud of the men and women who work tirelessly every day to meet the high standards that it takes to pass the state inspection, let alone maintain national accreditation. It is because of their hard work that we are able to maintain the proper care, custody and control of an average of 2,300 inmates in Marion County on any given day.

Jail inspections by the Department of Correction are required annually in Indiana.

For additional information contact Katie Carlson at [email protected], 317-327-6979 or 317-374-6365.

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