8.9. Who Goes to Jail? 
DAVID CARTER 
One of the more fascinating aspects of jails in the United States is who gets placed in them. The short answer 
is everyone. Whenever someone is arrested, this typically starts their process in the criminal justice system. 
While it might not be the first time they have been arrested, this action places them en route to a jail. Thus, 
jails are a collection point for many differing agencies, to include: County Sheriff’s Office, Municipal, local, 
City – Police. State Police may send individuals directly to jail, even Federal agencies may use a local jail 
as a point of entry. For example, ICE (immigration and customs enforcement) houses many thousands of 
ICE-holds in jails across the country. Jails hold all kinds of individuals. While this list is not comprehensive, 
it does present many of the types of people held in jails: 
• Felons and Misdemeanants 
• First time and repeat offenders 
• Those awaiting arraignment or trial 
• Accused and Convicted 
• Parolees stepping down from prison 
• Juveniles pending transfer 
• Those with mental illness awaiting transfer 
• Chronic alcoholics and Drug abusers 
• Those held for the military 
• Those held for federal agencies 
• Protective custody 
• Witnesses 
• Those in contempt of court 
• Persons awaiting transfer to state, federal or other local authorities 
• Temporarily detained persons 
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