How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is Iowa Inmate Search?
An Iowa inmate search is the process used to find and access information about a person detained or imprisoned within the state of Iowa.
The state correctional facilities and inmate records are managed by the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC). Through its Offender Search tool, the IDOC provides public access to information concerning individuals incarcerated in state prisons. This system promotes accountability within the criminal justice system and enhances public safety.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Iowa?
Yes. The Iowa Open Records Law fosters the transparency of government operations to the public by allowing access to records maintained by government agencies, including prison records held by the Department of Corrections and Iowa jail records managed by county sheriffs. This law operates under the presumption that anyone may inspect and copy public records unless specific exemptions apply.
Additionally, inmate records maintained by the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) are regarded as public information under Section 904.601(1) of the Iowa Code (1999). However, Section 904.602 establishes restrictions to protect sensitive information, such as:
- Medical, psychiatric, or psychological information
- Financial information
- Home street addresses
- Social security numbers
- Department evaluations
- Information from disciplinary reports and investigations
How To Perform Iowa Inmate Lookup
In Iowa, anyone may search for an incarcerated person using the inmate's name, birth date, gender, facility location, offender number, and county of commitment. A successful search provides details about an inmate, including their name, known aliases, birthdate, offense history, current incarceration facility, and parole status.
How to Search for an Inmate in Iowa
Before performing a search for an inmate in Iowa, it is important to identify whether the individual is housed in a county jail or a state-operated prison. Note that the IDOC's offender search tool only provides information about inmates in state prisons. Hence, if the inmate is housed in a county jail, you cannot use the IDOC search tool to complete a search. To search for an inmate in county or city jails, you may visit the respective sheriff's website or contact the sheriff's office directly, as Iowa county jails are overseen by county sheriffs.
To begin a search for an inmate in a state prison, visit the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) website and select the "Offender Search" tab at the top of the navigation page. Then, enter the inmate's name and birthdate and click "search". If you are uncertain about the spelling, you may broaden or narrow your search by selecting a search type, such as "begins with", "soundlike", or "exact match", before proceeding. Since the search form does not require any specific fields to be completed, you can streamline your search by including additional search criteria, such as the offense, sex, county of commitment, offender number, and facility location.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Iowa
Anyone may conduct an Iowa inmate search free of charge by using third-party resources. These resources typically allow users to search for inmates across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. Some also offer features like continuous updates to ensure users receive timely and accurate information regarding inmates.
RecordsFinder is a prominent example of a third-party platform that provides the public, including victims, with up-to-date information about inmates, including their custody status, current location, and offense history.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in Iowa
To conduct a federal inmate search in Iowa, interested parties may use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator. This tool enables users to search for federal inmates by their BOP register number or name. The search may be refined by providing additional details such as the inmate's age, sex, and race.
Although Iowa has no federal penitentiaries or prisons, some federal inmates are housed in local correctional centers or jails within the state through agreements with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). A search for a federal inmate may also be conducted by contacting these facilities directly. Facilities in Iowa that house federal inmates include:
- Linn County Correctional Center (houses federal inmates awaiting trial)
- Polk County Jail (houses federal inmates under an intergovernmental agreement)
- Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center (houses contract federal prisoners through an agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service)
What Can You Find with State of Iowa Inmate Search
Using the IDOC's offender search tool, you may obtain the following information during an inmate search:
- Personal details (full name, age, sex, and offender number)
- Projected release date
- Offense history
- Current location
- Probation details (if applicable)
- County of commitment
Jail and Inmate Search in Iowa
At the end of 2024, Iowa's state prisons housed 8,420 inmates, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections' annual report. In 2023, county jails across the state held 4,100 inmates, while youth detention centers recorded 440 inmates during the same year. Additionally, Iowa had an incarceration rate of 550 per 100,000 people, slightly higher than the United States' overall incarceration rate of 531 per 100,000 people.
Moreover, the 2024 Iowa Annual Prison Population Forecast indicates that 61.2% of the prison population were of white descent, while 27.1% were African American. Hispanic inmates accounted for 8.1% of the prison population, followed by Native Americans at 2.3%, and Asians at 1.3%. In addition to the Iowa prison population, 29,360 Iowans were under probation while 5,137 were under parole supervision.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
Iowa Imprisonment Rate (per 100,000 population)
550
Prison Population (All facilities/State)
8,420
Probation Population
29,360
Parole Population
5,137
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 9.3:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 1.4:1
Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000 juveniles)
77
Disenfranchised Population
26,878
Disenfranchised African Americans
5,968
Corrections Expenditures (State)
$534,028,502
Iowa Parole Population
Parole supervision in Iowa is a system created to evaluate and support inmates who are either released from state prison under parole conditions or granted parole as a part of a work-release program.
Iowa recorded 6,340 parolees at the beginning of 2022, which increased to 6,880 by the end of the year. This change reflects an 8.52% increase in the parolee count over the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
Iowa
277
Parole Total Population in Iowa (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
Iowa
6,880
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries
3,440
Exits
2,900
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
8.5%
Number
540
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
43
Iowa Prisons
Iowa operates 96 jails across its 99 counties, alongside nine prisons. The Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC), with a staff of 3,700, manages 8,420 inmates in the state correctional facilities on an annual budget of $534,028,501. The cost to house and care for one inmate per year is $42,482. In addition to state prisoners, the IDOC oversees 29,360 individuals on probation and 5,137 inmates on parole.
Based on a population of 100,000 residents, Iowa has a violent crime rate of 286, a property crime rate of 1,331, and an incarceration rate of 550.
The nine correctional institutions that make up the state prison system include:
- Anamosa State Penitentiary
- Clarinda Correctional Facility
- Fort Dodge Correctional Facility
- Iowa Correctional Institution for Women
- Iowa Medical and Classification Center
- Iowa State Penitentiary
- Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility
- Newton Correctional Facility
- North Central Correctional Facility
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Anamosa State Penitentiary | State Prison |
| Clarinda Correctional Facility | State Prison |
| Fort Dodge Correctional Facility | State Prison |
| Iowa Correctional Institution for Women | State Prison |
| Iowa Medical and Classification Center - Oakdale | State Prison |
| Iowa State Penitentiary | State Prison |
| Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility | State Prison |
| Newton Correctional Facility | State Prison |
| North Central Correctional Facility | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
An inmate may not appear in a search result if their records are expunged or sealed from public access due to privacy or legal concerns. Additionally, inaccurate or incomplete information entered into the database may hinder the ability to locate an inmate.
When using the IDOC's offender search tool to search for an inmate in a state prison, consider refining your search results by selecting "Exact Match", "Begins With", or "Soundlike" in the drop-down menu before clicking the search button.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in Iowa?
The IDOC's offender search tool cannot be used to conduct a jail inmate search. In most county or city jails, the sheriff's office publishes a jail inmate roster that is available to the general public or offers a search tool for locating inmates in their respective county jails. Counties such as Scott, Linn, Polk, Pottawattamie, Tama, Wayne, and Woodbury provide an inmate listing or search tool online for individuals looking to find an inmate currently in jail, awaiting bail, or serving a sentence for violating local statutes.
It is important to note that the inmate list may not be comprehensive, as it may not include all the inmates held in county jail custody. Hence, it is recommended to contact the sheriff's department or office directly for an extensive search.
How Can I Conduct an Iowa Prison Inmate Search?
The primary resource for conducting an Iowa prison inmate search is the IDOC's offender search tool. It allows you to locate an inmate using several search terms. However, the search result may be affected by data inaccuracies, and the most complete information may not always be available. In such cases, you may use third-party public databases, like RecordsFinder, to access reliable and up-to-date information.
