About the Jail

Confinement Officers make sure inmates housed in DeKalb County are treated respectfully, get to court on time for appearances, and get to see loved ones and counsel during visits. Inmates are fed three meals a day, offered classes to help better their future and reduce recidivism.

Jail staff also have the following responsibilities:

  • Custody

  • Medical Care of Inmates

  • Food Service

  • Programming

  • Chaplaincy

  • Training

  • Court Security

  • Transportation

  • DOC Liaison - holding

  • Classification

  • Commissary

Meet the Jail Commander

Captain Joshua Carpenter

Captain Joshua Carpenter joined the Dekalb County Sheriff's Office in 2017 as a confinement officer. In the spring of 2018, he was promoted to corporal and was promoted to sergeant in the spring of 2019.

In the same year he was promoted to 1st Sergeant where he oversaw daily jail operations and assisted with training new staff members. In 2020 he was promoted to Lieutenant where he took an administrative role as Assistant Jail Commander. It was at this time where he helped restructure the jail classification system to help create a more safe and secure environment for staff and inmates. In 2024 he was promoted to Captain. He now oversees all jail and transport divisions with his focus on maintaining a safe and secure facility for his staff.

Captain Carpenter believes in firm, fair, and consistent treatment of both sentenced and pre-trial inmates that are confined in the Dekalb County Jail. Captain Carpenter and his staff see that the basic needs of the inmate population are met on a daily basis.

Meet Key Jail Staff

Lieutenant Zack Shifflett
Assistant Jail Commander

Tina Kline
Matron

Ken Rowe
Maintenance Officer

Officer Steve Miller
Civil Process Officer