The Van Buren County Jail is an Adult Correctional Facility located in Paw Paw, Michigan. The Van Buren County Jail has a capacity of 158 inmates and is governed by the Administrative Rules for Jails by the Michigan Department of Corrections. The Van Buren County Jail has been recognized as being in full compliance with these rules in 2001, 2002, and 2003. In 2001, Van Buren County was one of only four counties within the State of Michigan to be recognized with this distinction.

To contact the jail you may dial 269-657-2171.

Sergeant Ray Guminski

Sergeant Amy Post

Sergeant Rick Audette

To attempt to answer most commonly asked questions, we have provided the information listed below to assist you.

INMATE MAIL:

Inmates receive regularly delivered mail on all dates operated by the US Postal Service. All mail received at the Van Buren County Jail is opened and inspected for contraband. To send mail to an inmate at this facility, use the following format:

(Inmate Name)
205 S. Kalamazoo St.
Paw Paw, Mich. 49079

INMATE VISITATION:

Visitation is on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Persons 16 years of age and older are allowed to visit inmates unaccompanied, with a picture ID. Persons less than 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult guardian 18 years of age or older.

Inmates and visitors are expected to conduct themselves in a respectable manner. Visitors with children are responsible for the actions of these children, unruly visitors and/or children will be asked to leave the visitation area.

Denial of visits:
A visitor may be denied access to the secure facility if they cannot produce required identification, is disruptive, dangerous, under the influence of drugs/alcohol, has a prior felony conviction, is inappropriately dressed, or deemed a security risk, the visit shall be denied. All visitors are subject to search.

Other specific visitation criteria is posted at the Sheriff’s office.

ITEMS ALLOWED FOR INMATES:

• Cash or Money orders for deposit to inmates account. Exact change must be presented, we cannot make change.
• Valid Medical Prescriptions are accepted after review/verification by medical staff.
• Work release inmates may have 1 set of clean clothing dropped off.
• Inmates scheduled for Jury Trial may have clothing dropped off for wear during trial.

DONATED ITEMS:

Any person may donate appropriate books and or magazines to the Van Buren County Jail. Inmates having books or magazines dropped off must remember that these items are donated to the Jail Library, and will remain the property of the Van Buren County Jail. Games and puzzles will be accepted, only in new, unopened condition. These items will also be donated to the Van Buren County Jail.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED TO ALL INMATES:

• Adult basic education and GED services
• Substance abuse programs
• A A programs
• Church services
• Bible study
• Work Release program-(must be approved and ordered by sentencing court)
• Recreation
• Medical services
• Mental Health services
• Alternative work programs
• Weekend Alternative work programs
• My Child Too / Parenting

VICTIM NOTIFICATION:

This service is available to any victim. Victims may register for this program by calling the Michigan Crime Victim Notification Network 1-800-770-7657. This program will notify the victim of any release, custody status or transfer of the inmate.

YEAR-END REPORT FOR 2005 - CORRECTIONS:

Jail Operations
In 2005 the Van Buren County Jail was inspected by the Michigan Department of Corrections – County Jail Services Unit. This inspection resulted in Van Buren County being awarded its fifth consecutive 100% compliance award. Van Buren County is the first county known to have received this award five consecutive years.

The Corrections Division was able to operate within budget and secured funds to enhance jail operations and maintain the jail population at manageable levels.

In 2005, The Van Buren County Jail received 4,372 (4,365) inmates for booking with a total of 6,398 (6,335) charges. These figures do not include those persons being readmitted to the facility for wits, weekend stays and other duties. As in the past, 620 contempt of court and probation violations accounted for the largest number of bookings, closely followed by 599 drunk driving arrests.

Jail Collections
In 2005 our corrections clerk generated the following revenues:

Ø Booking Fees: $ 37,332

Ø Per Diem (All sources) $294,869

Ø Medical Reimbursement (All Sources) $ 13,007

Office of Community Corrections (OCC)

The OCC again faced a very busy year and the staff continues to work very hard at monitoring the jail population and diverting appropriate offenders to alternative sentences.

Beds Saved/Cost Savings:

Number of Projects
WAP completed 121 projects for non-profit organizations. The weekend offenders provided 10,223 labor hours at a cost savings of $51,616 (minimum wage).

Alternative Work Program
The Alternative Work Program (WAP) is in its 19th year of serving Van Buren County communities and governmental units. In addition to providing needed services to Van Buren residents, the AWP provides another method to reduce the jail population.

In 2005, 69 (69) inmates participated. There were 208 (235) projects completed, using 6,365 (7,508) hours of inmate time. The number of bed days saved was 2,636 (2,445). Based on the minimum wage ($5.15) combined with the per diem rate ($36.18) per day, a grand total of $128,150 ($120,126) in savings to the county.

Court/Transport Officers
Four part-time officers provide service to the Corrections Division. During 2005 these officers ensured the appearance of scheduled court proceedings for inmates within the facility. Transport officers logged 29,590 miles and escorted 424 inmates. This allows the Uniform Response Division to focus on criminal calls for service.

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