Iowa Inmate Search

Iowa inmate records are government-issued documents that contain information about people currently incarcerated in the state. The data is gathered from correctional facilities, including jails and state-run prisons, county detention centers, and state penitentiaries. Generally, Iowa inmate records contain the following information:

• The inmate’s personal information, such as the full name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, and nationality
• Arrest and booking details
• Charges
• Court information
• Bail/bond conditions
• The date of arrest and prospective release dates

Under Section 22.1 of the Iowa Open Records Law, Iowa inmate records generally fall under the category of public records. Therefore, members of the public have the right to inspect and copy Iowa inmate records and disseminate the records or information found in them. Section 904.601(1) of the Iowa Code also confirms this provision.

The central repository for Iowa inmate records is the Iowa Department of Corrections. Interested persons may also obtain records of persons incarcerated in Iowa county and city jails from the relevant Sheriff’s Offices.

Iowa State Prisons

The Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) is responsible for overseeing nine adult state prisons. These include Anamosa State Penitentiary, which has a golf course and offers vocational and substance abuse programs; Clarinda Correctional Facility; and Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, with a modern campus and five living units.

Fort Dodge Correctional Facility is the largest male state-run prison in Iowa, with a capacity of 1,250 inmates. It is a medium-security prison built in 1998. It is equipped with support facilities like warehouses and a power plant.

Fort Dodge Correctional Facility
1550 L St,
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Phone: (515) 574-4700

The Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW) is the largest women’s prison managed by the Iowa DOC. It started as a 19th-century juvenile home and was rebuilt in 2017. It has a children’s play area and an outdoor visiting courtyard. It is a medium-security prison with 510 inmates. ICIW offers educational programs for inmates, including Adult Basic Education (ABE), High School Equivalency (HSE), and special education. They also offer other programs focused on workforce readiness and reentry.

The Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW)
420 Mill St SW,
Mitchellville, IA 50169
Phone: (515) 725-5042

How To Find An Inmate In Iowa?

Interested persons may find an inmate in Iowa using the Iowa Department of Corrections’ Offender Search tool. Users are to provide at least the first or last name of the inmate. Other additional information that helps to filter the search includes the middle name, date of birth, sex, offender number, location, offense, and county where the inmate is committed.

After entering the required details, the search result produces a list of all the inmates that match the provided information, including the date of birth, gender, and offender number. To view the full information on the inmate in question, click on the highlighted subject’s name. This reveals the inmate’s location, county of commitment, offense, date of commitment, and probable release date.

Information on inmates who are in custody at an Iowa county or city jail may also be found on the websites of the relevant county’s sheriff’s office. For instance, the Sheriff’s Office in Polk County provides a list of all the inmates currently in the custody of the sheriff on its website. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office also has a list of all current inmates and those in custody within the last seven days.

How To Find A Federal Inmate In Iowa?

Interested persons may find inmates incarcerated in a federal facility in Iowa on the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Users may search the database either by the inmate’s name or number. To find a federal inmate by name, provide the inmate’s first and last name. Narrow down the search by including the sex, race, and age of the federal inmate.

On the other hand, if searching by number, provide any of the following numbers to find the federal inmate:

• The inmate’s Bureau of Prisons register number
• D.C. Department of Corrections number,
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation number, or
• The Immigration and Naturalization Services number

Note: The Bureau of Prisons database only contains information on persons who were incarcerated in or after 1982. To find records of inmates who were incarcerated before 1982, visit the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The NARA’s database has information on inmates incarcerated from 1870 to 1981.

How Do I Find Inmate Records In Iowa?

Interested persons may obtain an Iowa inmate record by printing a copy of the information found on the result page on the Iowa Department of Corrections Offender Search portal. This page provides primary details about the inmate. However, this printed copy may not suffice for court use or as a legal document since it is not a certified copy. Interested persons may direct requests for official copies of inmate records to the Iowa Department of Corrections.

To request an Iowa inmate record, contact the Department of Corrections by phone, by email to doc.information@iowa.gov, or fill out the request form. When filling out the request form, provide the name and email address to which the response may be sent. Ensure to provide as much of the inmate’s information to aid the Department’s search for the record.

For inmate records on those incarcerated in county or city jails, contact the specific county sheriff’s office or the facility’s administrative staff where the inmate is held.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. Operating independently of any federal, state, or local agency, such websites may simplify the search process as they are not limited by geographic location. In addition, third-party sites typically have search engines that can be used to filter specific or multiple records. To use third-party or government websites, interested parties may need to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that the person resides in or was accused in

However, third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability cannot be guaranteed.

How To Put Money in Jail Inmates' Books in Iowa?

The Iowa Department of Corrections has centralized banking systems for offenders. All funds deposited for offender spending or commissary accounts are received and regulated by the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility (FDCF). To send money to an inmate in Iowa, mail the intended amount to the following address:

IDOC Offender Fiduciary Account
1550 L Street, Suite B
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Deposits are typically made using a money order or cashier’s check made payable to the IDOC offender's Fiduciary Account. Note, Iowa holding facilities do not accept money orders or cashier’s checks in person. The deposit must be sent by mail. Make sure to include the inmate’s name, offender number, and depositor’s name and complete address on the money order or cashier’s check. The writing must be legible.

The Iowa Department of Corrections typically returns deposits that do not meet the stipulated guidelines. The inmates only receive deposits that are consistent with the existing institution’s policies.

Friends and family may also send money to inmates in Iowa through electronic fund transfers. Members of the public may deposit money electronically into an inmate’s account using the Access Corrections deposit services, JPay services, or Western Union. To send money using Access Corrections, visit the website for deposit rates beginning at $3.49. Alternatively, call (866)345–1884 to make a debit or credit card transaction over the phone for $4.49.

Access Corrections also allows senders to create a CorrLinks account from which money may be deposited directly to the inmate, for persons who do not have a debit or credit card, deposit at a CashPayToday location for a flat fee of $6.95 or at an ACE Cash Express location at a flat cost of $5.95. Note, there is a maximum limit of $900 for each cash transaction when paying using ACE Cash Express.

To send money to an inmate in Iowa using JPay, make the transaction online on the website, by phone, or in person. Payments made over the phone cost between $4.95 and $11.95 based on the amount deposited. When paying online, use a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card. The charges range from $3.95 to $10.95, depending on the deposit amount.

For walk-in transactions, visit any MoneyGram agent location. The charge for each transaction is $8.95, and users may send up to $5,000 per transaction.

The Department also accepts transfers from Western Union. Send the money via the Western Union website, by phone, or in person at any Western Union site. The system used is “Quick Collect”. Depositors are advised to use the “Pay to” as the Iowa Department of Corrections. Use IA as “State” and IOWADOC as “Code City”. Also, use the offender ID number and the inmate’s last name as the “Sender’s account #”.

Does Iowa Use JPay for Inmates?

Yes. Inmates housed in facilities managed by the Iowa Department of Corrections may receive funds through JPay. Through this avenue, friends and families may send funds to the inmates’ commissary accounts via the web portal or mobile app on iOS and Android.

Depositors can send money to an inmate onnline on the JPay Platform, by phone at 1 800–574 5729, or in person. Payments made over the phone cost between $4.95 and $11.95 based on the amount deposited. When paying online, use a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card. The charges range from $3.95 to $10.95, depending on the deposit amount.

For walk-in transactions, visit any MoneyGram agent location. The charge for each transaction is $8.95, and users may send up to $5,000 per transaction.

The overall cost of sending funds depends on the payment method used. Kiosk payments are generally the most cost-effective as they do not involve third parties, agents, or administrative overhead. On the other hand, walk-in deposits incur the highest fees for processing. Personal checks are not allowed in line with the agency’s policy.

Alternative ways to send money to inmates in facilities managed by the Iowa DOC include Access Corrections, calling a JPay agent, mailing a money order or certified check to the DOC. They may also use services such as Western Union online or walk-in MoneyGram locations.