Sheriff Joel Houston
Contact Information
📍 Address: 206 Courthouse Square, Raleigh, MS 39153
📞 Phone: (601) 782-4531
📠 Fax: (601) 782-4003
📧 Email: jhouston@smithcountyms.gov
🔗 Facebook: Smith County Sheriff’s Office
Meet Sheriff Joel Houston
L to R: Joel Houston, Sheriff; Marsha Ivy; Robert Garner, Undersheriff
I graduated from Raleigh High School in 2003 and went on to attend Jones Junior College, where I earned an Associate’s Degree in 2005. I later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2008. That same year, I completed training at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy (MLEOTA) in Pearl, MS, graduating in November 2008.
My law enforcement career began in 2004 as a Reserve Deputy, followed by roles as a Deputy Sheriff and then Investigator with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. I gained additional experience with the Pearl Police Department, working in both patrol and investigations. During that time, I was honored to serve on the department’s Honor Guard and SWAT team.
While serving as an Investigator with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, I made the decision to run for sheriff—a lifelong goal. In January 2020, I was sworn in as Sheriff of Smith County. I was honored to be re-elected in 2023 and continue to serve the citizens of Smith County with dedication, integrity, and passion.
I love my county, and I am honored to serve it. My mission is to continue protecting and improving our community for years to come.
Eligibility Requirements for Sheriff (per MS State Law 2025):
To run for sheriff in Mississippi, a candidate must:
- Be a qualified elector
- Be a resident of the county for at least two years before the election
- Not be a defaulter to the state, county, municipality, or federal government
See Official Candidate Guide (PDF)
About the Sheriff’s Office
Smith County covers approximately 630 square miles, with more than 600 miles of rural roadways and a population just under 15,000.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for law enforcement across the county and oversees operations of the Smith County Detention Center.
The Sheriff’s Office includes:
- Patrol Deputies
- Investigators
- Narcotics Investigators
- Corrections Officers
- Dispatchers
- Administrative Staff
- Reserve Deputies
Mission Statement
We are committed to serving all of Smith County with professionalism, compassion, and integrity. Our mission is to:
- Protect and serve the citizens of Smith County
- Enforce Mississippi state laws
- Maintain peace and order
- Safeguard individual rights
Services & Programs
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Inmate & Jail Services | The Smith County Detention Center houses both pre-trial and sentenced adult inmates. We provide basic medical care, non-contact visitation, commissary access, and phone services. |
| Inmate Search | Visit our Detention Center website to search for current inmates, view booking photos, and see related charges. |
| Visitation & Communication | Visitation is held each Saturday on a rotating schedule for male and female inmates. Family members must present valid ID and follow all visitation rules. Inmates may send and receive mail and make limited collect phone calls. |
| Commissary & Deposits | Friends and family can deposit funds online or by phone for inmate commissary use. Items available include snacks, hygiene products, and writing supplies. You can purchase commissary for Smith County inmates from https://www.commissarydeposit.com/ |
| Court & Administrative Security | Our deputies provide security for all court proceedings and Smith County government facilities, ensuring safety and proper conduct. |
To see a list of current inmates at Smith County Detention Center, click the website below
http://inmates.bluhorse.com/Default.aspx?ID=SMITHMS
