The Need
This is a description
History
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail was built in 1980 and has been in continuous operation ever since.
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Out-of-County Housing Costs
In the last 5 years, inmates have been housed in: Cedar, Clinton, Henry, Iowa, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, and Washington County.
Cost by year:
2024-2025: $442,380
2023-2024: $312,930
2022-2023: $327,185
2021-2022: $459,105
2020-2021: $303,155
Total for the last 5 years: $1,844,755
View all condition assessments, space needs assessments, and inspection reports.
In a 2022 facility condition assessment report, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and Jail facility was evaluated using a Facility Condition Index (FCI) with ratings ranging from 0% (Good) to Greater than 60% (Very Poor).
The JCSO and Jail were rated 104.8%.
According to report, “if the FCI rating is 60% or greater then replacement of the asset/building should be considered instead of renewal.
A 2025 Jail Inspection Report noted that “Johnson County Jail continues to experience the same issues this year as they have in the past. These concerns are not only deficiencies, but are health and safety concerns for the prisoners, staff, and the public.”
A 2024 Needs Assessment listed all the following as areas of non-compliance or concern:
Structural integrity
Jail standards
Capacity
Handicap accessibility
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Fast Facts
The Sheriff’s Office and Jail are housed in the same two-story facility.
Size: 28,500 sq. ft.
# of Staff: XXX
Operational capacity: 65 beds
Daily avg. population: 86 (2024)
Max capacity: 92 beds
Current Building Condition
Aging building and structural issues:
Structural elements showing signs of wear and potential failure
Cracking and shifting brick and masonry
Rusting and deteriorating structural supports
Water infiltration and drainage problems
Roof systems with active leaks and heavy deterioration
Water exposure and structural fatigue have caused parts of the building to shift and deteriorate.
Due to ventilation problems, circulation is practically non-existent.
Layout
Insufficient bed count, resulting in high cost for out-of-county housing
Cells size does not meet current standards
Medical space is insufficient
Staff offices are crowded
Dangerous bottlenecks occur throughout building, especially near elevator
Only one multipurpose room - used for family
No room for expansion
Significant reorganization or remodel would be expensive