History
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The Saginaw County Jail was first established in 1837 as a log cabin located on the corner of Court and Washington Streets in Saginaw City. In 1855, a new jail was constructed on the same site, made of brick and stone. This jail served the county until 1881 when it was replaced by a new facility at 115 S. Tilden Street.
The Tilden Street Jail
The Tilden Street Jail was a four-story, red brick building that housed both male and female prisoners. The jail was known for its overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. In 1939, a federal grand jury indicted the jail's warden and several other staff members for mistreating prisoners.
The Wadsworth Road Jail
In 1975, the Tilden Street Jail was closed and replaced by the Wadsworth Road Jail, located at 5125 W. Wadsworth Road in Saginaw Township. The Wadsworth Road Jail is a modern facility that has a capacity of over 1,000 inmates.
Recent History
In 2015, the Saginaw County Jail was accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA). This accreditation demonstrates that the jail meets the ACA's standards for inmate care and safety.
Current Operations
The Saginaw County Jail is currently operated by the Saginaw County Sheriff's Office. The jail's mission is to "provide a safe and secure environment for inmates, staff, and the community."
The jail offers a variety of programs and services to inmates, including educational classes, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment. The jail also has a medical unit that provides inmates with essential healthcare services.
Controversies
The Saginaw County Jail has been the subject of several controversies in recent years. In 2018, the jail was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for allegedly violating the rights of inmates by subjecting them to excessive force and denying them access to medical care. The lawsuit is still pending.
In 2020, the jail was criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inmates at the jail alleged that they were not provided with adequate medical care and that they were not allowed to social distance. The jail's administration denied these allegations.
Despite these controversies, the Saginaw County Jail remains an important part of the criminal justice system in Saginaw County. The jail provides a safe and secure environment for inmates and helps to protect the community from crime.