Jail Programs
Inmate Programs
A variety of programs are offered to inmates at the Washington County Jail to encourage and support rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
Participation in all programs is voluntary except for mandatory work assignments, court ordered programs, or programs required by law.
- Educations classes
- Vocational learning
- Work Release
- Home Monitoring
- Chemical abuse counseling
- Library services
- Organized recreation
- Women's groups
- Spiritual Guidance
- Social Services
- Sentence to Service
Educational Classes
GED Preparation/Testing
College Preparation
Cognitive Skills
Anger Management
Parenting
Employment Readiness
- Resumes
- Applications
- Interviewing
Work Release
Release status must be ordered by the sentencing judge
Criteria for Work Release must be met
Sentenced inmates who go to work or school and return to jail.
Must go through orientation
Pay a daily fee
Home Detention / Electronic Home Monitoring (HD/EHM)
- Release status ordered by the sentencing judge
- Criteria for HD/EHM must be met
- Cell phone reception necessary
- Must go through orientation
- Daily fee
Chemical Abuse Counseling-Provided by Canvas Health
- Chemical Dependency Assessments
- Rule 25
- Out Patient Treatment in jail (OPT)
- AA/NA
Library Services available to inmates
- Law library resources/services
- Donated books/magazines
- Educational
- Business
- Resource
- Self-help
- Leisure
Open and Organized Recreation
• Exercise equipment/Cardio fitness
• Basketball
• Handball
• Volleyball
• Ping Pong
Programs available for female inmates
• Healing Circle
• Art and Creative Thought
• Creative Writing
• YOGA
Religious and spiritual guidance is available for inmates
- Religious services and programs conducted by volunteers
- Jail Chaplains may schedule visits with inmates during visiting times without being on the visiting list
- Personal clergy may visit during scheduled visiting times if on the inmate’s visiting list.
Social service programs available to inmates
Programs staff are available to meet with inmates and assist with social services. Mental health issues may be referred to the jail medical unit.
- Veteran’s Resources
- Re-entry Assistance Program (RAP)
- NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- Teen Challenge
- Pet Therapy
- Resources guides for community agencies
Sentence To Service (STS)
Sentence to Service, or STS, is managed by Washington County Community Corrections, and is not a Sheriff’s Office Program.
- STS must be court ordered by the sentencing judge, and may or may not include jail time.
- Offenders sentenced to STS may complete a variety of services outside such as clearing brush in parks and recreation areas, provide landscaping upkeep of the Washington County Fair grounds, helping build sandbag dykes to prevent springtime, and collect recycling materials in and around the government center.
- Offenders who do not qualify for outside STS may work inside the jail as a Laundry or Kitchen Trusty