CORRECTIONS

Classification

The purpose of inmate classification is to provide fair and consistent guidelines in determining inmate assignments (pre-sentence and post-sentence) to housing areas, security levels, treatment and program services. The plan is to ensure that such decisions are made to the benefit of both the facility and the inmate and will ensure that proper documentation is maintained of such decisions. Classification information shall be managed in a fashion which allows monitoring and evaluation of facility programs, planning and budgeting.

The classification / assessment system shall provide for the management and confinement needs of the Butler County correctional facilities and inmates for their protection, the safety of other inmates, to prevent escape and to protect the general public. The risk and needs of each newly admitted inmate shall be assessed and addressed individually, based on objective and identifiable criteria, which provides for placement of the inmate in the least restrictive housing, compatible with his or her assessed risk and needs.

Classification procedures shall be administered equitably and consistently, without discrimination against any individual based on sex, race, color, creed, culture, background, physical or mental handicap, religious practice or national origin.

A classification record shall be maintained for each inmate. The record shall contain all available information concerning current offense, prior offense(s) and past / present institutional records, including the inmate’s complete disciplinary history and history of medical or mental health conditions requiring special housing considerations.

Inmate Discipline

Every inmate has access to the Inmate Handbook through the kiosks, in-house TV, and book carts that inform them of the rules and regulations of the facilities as well as an Inmate Orientation Video that plays in all of the housing units and in-house TV’s.

When inmates violate one of these rules, he/she receives a ticket and a disciplinary hearing. Violations are divided into three categories: Minor, Major and Serious. The level of restriction depends on the violation level and can bring isolation, commissary and visitation restrictions, and the Warden Burger.

Cleaning

It is the policy of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office to maintain the entire facility in a clean and orderly fashion. Staff members will supervise all cleaning activities conducted in each housing unit.

Cleaning of Inmate Housing Unit / Bunk / Restroom / Shower Areas

Inmates are required to conduct daily cleaning of their housing unit and living areas. This cleaning process includes, but is not limited to; mopping, sweeping, disinfecting, dusting, vacuuming, washing, polishing and scrubbing the entire area. The inmate will be provided with appropriate cleaning utensils to conduct the following cleaning activities in their assigned housing unit, bathing and bunk areas.

Commissary

Commissary shall be provided to all inmates through an in-house program established by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

• Inmate Commissary shall be held twice per week. Commissary will be held only once during the weeks of which a holiday occurs. Inmates will be notified prior to a holiday.
• Indigent inmates shall be provided the necessary personal hygiene items and writing material.
• The management of the commissary funds shall be strictly controlled in accordance with procedures adopted by the Auditor of State.

Communicating by Mail

It shall be the policy of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office to impose no restrictions formal or informal on the ability of an inmate to communicate with persons outside the jail, except where such restrictions are clearly necessary to the maintenance of the order and the security of the jail. This censorship may be no greater than necessary to further a substantial and important governmental interest unrelated to the suppression of expression (e.g. escape plans, threat to facility security and safety for both the inmates, citizens and staff).

If at any time, the contents of the mail have been deemed inadmissible, an Incident Report must be complete and the seized contents of the mail and forward the contents to the Deputy Warden. The Deputy Warden shall then determine if further investigation is warranted. The Investigations Bureau of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office shall conduct investigations into this type of incident. All contraband will be disposed of properly.

Outgoing Mail

• Inmate’s full name

Butler County Sheriff’s Office

705 Hanover Street

Hamilton, Oh 45011

Any inmate may correspond with anyone outside the jail provided each letter bears the proper postage and proper return address including the inmate’s full name.

• Indigent inmates (an inmate without funds) shall be supplied with the necessary writing materials (envelopes and postage) for a minimum of three (3) letters per week.
• Collection – inmates will seal their letters and place them in the designated areas located in each housing unit.  The mail shall be collected from each housing unit daily.  The mail will be picked up by the Post Office each morning.
• Inmate to inmate – any inmate who wishes to correspond with another inmate in this facility must follow the same procedures as any outgoing mail.

Incoming Mail

• Incoming mail must be addressed to inmate, using their complete, full name.
• Mail is to be addressed as follows:

Inmate’s full name

Butler County Sheriff’s Office

705 Hanover Street

Hamilton, Ohio 45011

• Letters addressed to inmates will be opened and inspected for contraband before being delivered to the inmate.  All mail will be delivered within 24 hours of being received at the facility.
• Legal mail from attorneys, courts, etc. shall be opened in the presence of the inmate and checked for contraband by the staff member.
• Staff members shall only check for contraband and not read the letters. Staff members shall not delete, black-out any portions, or withhold any incoming prisoner letters, except where such restrictions are clearly necessary to the maintenance of the order and security of the jails.
• Material determined to be obscene shall not be forwarded to the inmates.
• Decisions to withhold, read or censor any incoming prisoner mail must be made by a supervisor.
• All contraband will be disposed of properly.

Parcels

All packages received for inmates shall be thoroughly inspected for contraband and determination shall be made if the contents of the package would violate Facility Safety Rules. If the contents are acceptable, a staff member shall deliver the package to the inmate.

• NO POLAROID PICTURES.
• Materials of sexual nature and/or nude or partially nude photographs are not accepted into the facility. These photographs will be disposed of properly.
• Items of an illegal nature will be held as evidence for possible prosecution.
• Legal materials and clothing for Court appearances (jury trial only) will be accepted through inmate mail. Packages must be marked clearly on the outside as to the contents. No other packages will be accepted.

Contraband

If a letter or incoming parcel is discovered to contain contraband, the Corrections Staff will contact the Supervisor, seize the contraband and complete an Incident Report.  All contraband will be properly disposed of or secured as evidence depending on the Incident. The Deputy Warden may then turn all evidence over to the Detective Bureau Supervisor of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for investigation or possible subsequent prosecution.

Undeliverable Mail

If any incoming mail is undeliverable because the inmate is no longer here, the letter shall be marked “Return to Sender” and placed in the outgoing mail.

Communicating by Telephone

Each inmate shall have equal and adequate access to a telephone to maintain community ties and contacts with their attorneys. All housing units within a Butler County correctional facility have been equipped with commercial telephones.

Hours of Use

• Inmate telephones shall be turned on at 8:00 am and turned off at 10:30 pm every day.
• Phones are unavailable during meal times (11:30 am to 12:30 pm, and 5:30 to 6:30 pm)

Conditions of Calls

• All outgoing calls (local or long distance) will be collect calls only, or the inmate may buy a pre-paid phone card from commissary.
• There will be a fifteen (15) minute limit on all phone calls if other inmates are waiting to use the telephone.
• Inmates shall not abuse the use of pre-paid phone cards (to make prank calls, harass a civilian or an attorney, probation officer or the court, etc.). Inmates found to be abusing the phone cards may face potential criminal charges, as well as possible facility disciplinary actions.
• There shall be no incoming calls for inmates permitted in the facility.

Emergency / Special Circumstances

• Telephone usage may be suspended during an emergency or special circumstances, as dictated by the on-duty supervisor.

Food Service

All inmates will be served a minimum of three meals a day. At no time will the span between meals exceed fourteen (14) hours.  

Modified diets will be prepared for inmates when requested by medical staff or physician orders and all reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate dietary needs of a religion. Verification of inmate religious diet requests may be confirmed by contacting local community religious leaders.

Hygiene

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office requires inmates to maintain a clean and healthy living area and the necessary cleaning materials shall be provided to the inmates daily. All inmates are afforded the opportunity to a hot shower daily and are required to do so. An adequate supply of soap will be provided.

• Upon completing the booking process, the inmate will be provided with necessary hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, towels, etc.

Inmates may purchase additional hygiene items if he/she is not indigent (without funds).

• Hairclippers will be provided to inmates and are made available during indoor recreation upon request. Inmates who request hairclippers are required to clean the clippers and any hair clippings resulting from the haircut.
• Staff members present at recreation, when haircuts are offered, are required to supervise this process and are to ensure that all issued items are returned and the area cleaned properly.
• Razors will be distributed to inmates every evening.
• Feminine hygiene products will be dispensed upon request.

Inmate Funds

Inmates will not be permitted to keep money on their person while incarcerated. All inmate funds are controlled by jail personnel in a fair, ethical, and honest manner. Inmate fund deposits and disbursements must be in accordance with procedures adopted by the State of Ohio’s Auditor.

Money in the inmate’s possession at the time of booking will be deposited into the inmate’s account. Inmates with less then $1.00 will have that money placed in their property and it will be returned to them upon release. No loose change will placed in the inmate’s account; it will be placed in their property bag.

  When inmates are booked into the jail any money on their person will be deposited into an intake kiosk, which automatically posts to their account.  The intake kiosk has alleviated the risk of inmate money being lost or posted to the wrong account.  The Debit Card Release System allows the Corrections Sergeant to produce a debit card for the inmate at time of release.  This system has reduced the number of written checks to released inmates, as well as the number of outstanding checks that do not get cashed, or checks that get lost in the US mail, and reduces the risk of check fraud.    Any balance that remains on the inmate’s account at time of release is refunded to the inmate either by debit card or by check.  

One full-time Administrative Clerical Specialist maintains the Inmate Accounts.  Each inmate has an account assigned to him/her when entering the facility in which money is deposited.  These funds are used for commissary purchases (snacks, clothing, telephone cards and special meal orders) as well as reception fees, court related fees, attorney fees and/or bond fees. Visitors can deposit cash or money via credit card onto the inmate’s account by utilizing the kiosk machine located in the main jail lobby.  For added convenience, family and friends, who do not want to come into the jail may deposit money via online credit card and/or contacting Access Corrections.   

To deposit funds into an inmate’s account, choose the most convenient option below:

• Visit AccessCorrections.com
  • Accepts MasterCard and VISA
• Call (866) 345-1884
  • Live bi-lingual agents available, 24 hours a day
  • Accepts MasterCard and VISA
• Use the AccessCorrections lobby kiosk
  • Located in our jail lobby at 705 Hanover Street
  • Accepts MasterCard and VISA and cash
• Cash Walk-In at:
  • CashPayToday locations (including Dollar General stores)
  • Visit CashPayToday.com to enroll and find a location near you
  • A barcode is required. Get your barcode on the website above.

At the time the inmate is being released from the Butler County Jail, if there are funds due to that inmate, a check or debit card will be issued. The check will be mailed to the address provided on a form presented to the inmate to fill out. Please make sure the address on the form is correct. The inmate may pick up their check the following day from being released at 705 Hanover Street in Hamilton, Ohio between the hours of 1pm and 3:30pm EST. The inmate must show a valid state or government I.D. card. Checks returned from the post office will be deposited with the Butler County Auditor as unclaimed funds.

Should the inmate have any questions or concerns in regards to their account, please contact:

Inmate Accounts

513-785-1126

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Medical Services

The Medical Division is a 24-hour, 365 day operation. Duties and responsibilities include screening new inmates, sick call, medicine distribution, and emergency responses.

The Medical Division coordinates and schedules all on site and outside inmate medical appointments. This includes routine specialist appointments, surgeries, routine exams, eye care, and other appointments deemed necessary while inmates are incarcerated.  X-ray and lab procedures are completed in the compound when possible to reduce the need to transport inmates out of the secure parameter.

Providing Dental Services

Inmates shall be provided professional dental services, both preventative and corrective, as needed and determined by the facility physician.

Personal Property

As a general rule, inmates are not permitted to have articles, other than those issued by the facility, in their possession. Inmates are not permitted to transfer their clothing or other property to other inmates. Property found in violation will be confiscated and disposed of properly.

At the time of admission, all property turned over to the booking officer will be inventoried on the computer system and a property bag (if applicable). The inmate’s signature is required on the property bag. Upon the inmate’s release, his/her property will be returned to them and their signature is once again required. The inmate’s signature fully acknowledges the fact that they have received all the items listed on the Property Received Report.

Recreation and Leisure Time

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office will provide recreation for all inmates who are physically able and those that desire exercise and whose stay will exceed 120 hours. At no time will the inmates be permitted to gamble or make wagers on these games, nor will the inmates be allowed to take the games to their cells or the recreation yards. The table games will be used on the day room tables only. Recreation is defined as follow:

• Leisure time activities to include television viewing and table games (e.g. cards, checkers, dominos, etc) shall be provided.
• Large muscle group exercise will be provided via Recreation Areas.
• Staff will ensure that equal access to recreation is provided to all non-restricted inmates.
• Recreation will be available each day and must be a minimum of 5 hours per week.

Visitation

It is the policy of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office to enable and encourage inmates to maintain contact with family and friends through regular visits.  Restrictions on visits are for the limited purpose of using the jail staff judiciously and maintaining the security and order of the jail.

Visitation at the Butler County Jail is conducted over closed circuit audio/video equipment. Visitation areas shall be secure and free from obstructions and obstacles to normal conversations and viewing.

Inmate Visitation Schedule 

All Inmates whose last name begins with A – J:

Saturday

9:00 am – 11:00 am

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

All Inmates whose last name begins with K – Z:

Sunday

9:00 am – 11:00 am

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Additional Trusty Visitation

Thursday

Both Facilities

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Visitation Information

Visitation communications may be subject to monitoring and/or recording by law enforcement.

Each inmate shall be permitted a thirty (30) minute visit on their designated visitation day, unless circumstances dictate temporary suspension of Inmate Visitation. Inmates are allowed up to three (3) people on their visitation list. Inmates can not make changes to their list until they have been at the facility for thirty (30) days and must wait an additional thirty (30) days after each change. Those inmates that have less than three (3) people on their visitation list may add another person to the list at any time. Changes, additions or deletions to an inmate’s visitation list must be made via a Request for Visitor Form supplied in each housing unit.

Visitor Requirements:

• Visitors must be an approved visitor on the visitation list
• Visitors must show photo identification (proper identification includes a state or federal issued card or a passport with proper documentation of port of entry).
• Visitor under the age of eighteen (18) years of age do not have to be on the list, but must be accompanied by an approved adult from the inmate’s visitation list.

Denying Visitation:

• Visitor presents a clear and present danger to security.
• Visitor is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Visitor refuses to show proper identification.
• Inmate refuses the visit.

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