Iowa inmate search

In Iowa, county sheriffs or facility directors at the local level operate these jails. The Iowa Attorney General says custody and victim notices fall to the sheriff or facility head. You must reach out directly to the county that made the arrest. Local detention isn't run by any central state agency.

The Polk County Jail, for example, is run by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The Oakdale facility is also noted in that jail's system. At 110 6th Avenue, families can leave court clothing. On weekdays, staff take clothing between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Other counties make their own rules about property and visits. Before driving to the jail, ask the local sheriff's office.

What goes on an online roster is up to each county sheriff. People currently in the sheriff's custody appear on the Polk County Jail roster, for instance. That list won't include people held on federal charges.

The Polk County site offers several lists you can check:

• Inmates the sheriff currently holds
• New bookings covering the prior date and the last 24 hours
• Recent releases covering the prior date and the last 24 hours
• Inmates released during the previous 365 days are included

No statewide jail roster exists in Iowa. When a county doesn't post a web list, turn to the state's automated custody network. If the arrest was in the last few hours, call the jail yourself. New bookings take time to appear online.

Running the state prison system is the job of the Iowa Department of Corrections, or IDOC. To find someone in state custody, go to the IDOC Find an Offender page.

Unlike a county jail roster, this is a state database. Local county jails receive people that police have just arrested. Before trial, the county jail holds that person. Entering IDOC custody or supervision happens only once a court sentences someone to state prison. The state prison locator won't show someone who was arrested last night. If you don't know where to begin, read about finding someone in jail.

Families and crime victims can anonymously track custody status through Iowa VINE. Local Iowa jails are covered by this automated network, along with offenders in IDOC custody or under supervision. At any hour, you can search for an inmate online. You can also register for free alerts that tell you when someone's custody status changes.

If you don't want to use the website, call the toll free line at 1-888-742-8463. You'll get help from a live operator to check on an inmate or to set up notifications. Iowa's information page for the service is managed by the Iowa Attorney General's Victim Assistance Section. For state prisoners, you can also view the IDOC victim registration page.

Certain serious offenses aside, Iowa Code chapter 811 makes most defendants eligible for release both before and after conviction. Release and victim notice rules also fall under Sections 804.21 and 915.16. Under the Iowa Judicial Branch Uniform Bond Schedule, some people are able to post bond immediately.

The first order courts must make is an unsecured appearance bond or release on personal recognizance, unless that won't reasonably ensure a court appearance. A signed promise to come back to court without paying money is called personal recognizance. If not, the magistrate picks the first fitting option from this list:

• Conditional release
• 10% cash deposit paid to the court for an appearance bond
• Bail bond with sufficient surety, often for a fee called a premium, backed by a guarantor
• Bond replaced by a cash payment