McKean County's former jail resembles an Italianate house of the period, a role it partially served since the sheriff lived there. This “house,” however, is distinguished from other Italianate houses by the large, two-story, stone cell block pierced by narrow windows, attached behind it. The main entrance to the house is set within a triple-arched two-story projecting bay. A two-story brick wing to the east continues the arched corbeling on the front cornice. Attached to this wing is a small one-story pyramidal-roofed structure that originally housed the juvenile cells. Stone corner quoins on the jail are echoed on the courthouse, stylistically linking Smethport's two public buildings.