Sheriff's office: jail has no ICE contract; county follows state 48‑hour hold practice

During public comment April 20, commissioners and attendees asked whether Carroll County's jail maintains a contract with ICE for detainee custody and how the county responds to immigration detainers.

Superintendent King told the board the jail does not have an ICE contract and that current practice under state law is to hold detainees for up to 48 hours after resolution of state charges to allow federal agencies to respond. "We will hold for the 48 hours unless there's some type of major cost that could affect the county in that 48 hours," the superintendent said, explaining that prolonged holds beyond 48 hours generally require a distinct contract for long‑term custody.

Commissioners and speakers discussed an example in which a person arrested in a neighboring jurisdiction was transported to another county's facility for federal processing; the superintendent said federal officials determine whether to assume custody once notified. The discussion clarified that the county does not proactively screen inmates' immigration status; federal authorities request information from the jail and perform immigration inquiries.

The exchange closed with commissioners noting the legal framework and that long‑term ICE detentions would require a contractual arrangement beyond routine 48‑hour holds.