The Andrew C. Baird Detention Facility

This place really is one of the worst places on the planet earth. Yes the entire planet perhaps, well in my world anyway and the places I’ve been. But in this one cube of the world everything horrible is possible. I appreciate the review the social worker put up. It’s more important than the jokey one about sending politicians here (if only).

This is one of three adult jails in the area. Wayne County operates the largest jail system in the State of Michigan. In addition to Baird, there is the Old Wayne County Jail and the William Dickerson Detention Facility.
This jail is newer and in some ways, cleaner, than others. But it has many of the problems that are prevelent in other urban jails. As a social worker I occassionally visit detention facilities and, frankly, I’ve seen better. The process for visits is very chaotic and traumatizing to both the inmates and the family members. Staff are rude to visitors, professionals (like myself) who are entering the facility on business, and even to each other.
It’s hard to find visitng hours for this facility, so I’ll paste them in here.
Monday: Last names starting with A through H (7:30 am until 10:30 am)
Tuesday: Last names starting with A through H (6:00 pm until 9:00 pm)
Wednesday: Last names starting with I through Q (7:30 am until 10:30 am)
Thursday: Last names starting with I through Q (6:00 pm until 9:00 pm)
Friday: Last names starting with R through Z (7:30 am until 10:30 am AND 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm
Saturday: Minor child visitation with approval and by appointment only.
Children often get arbitrarily turned away from visits, even when they already have approval and have an appointment.