Polk County Inmate Search
A Polk County inmate search refers to the process of obtaining information about offenders housed within correctional facilities in Polk County, Iowa. This process helps family members, legal professionals, and other interested parties access vital information about an inmate's status, location, and other related records.
When an offender is convicted in Polk County, they are processed and held in one of the county's correctional facilities. The details of their conviction, including the nature of the crime, sentencing information, and facility location, are recorded. This information becomes part of Polk County's Public Records and is accessible to the public per Iowa's Open Records Law.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Polk County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
The Iowa Department of Public Safety provides arrest statistics via the Unified Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In 2022, Polk County's law enforcement agencies recorded 10,866 offenses and 5,413 arrests. 4,314 cases were solved, resulting in a clearance rate of 39.69%. The overall crime rate stood at 1397.25 per 100,000 people, while the arrest rate was 1691.64 per 100,000 people.
In reviewing the arrest report, several violations stood out. The most prominent incidents include 905 arrests for drug/narcotic violations, 734 for larceny, 462 for simple assault, 244 for aggravated assault, 67 for motor vehicle theft, 64 for weapons law violations, 28 for burglary, 7 for rape, and 4 for murder, among others.
Compared to 2021, the total offenses and arrests decreased by 7.92% and 16.52%, respectively. Also, the clearance rate for 2021 was 40.65%, reflecting a 0.96% decline.
Polk County Prison System
Polk County's detention facilities are secure rehabilitation and correctional institutions where individuals engaged in criminal and illegal activities are confined. Inmates are held in these correctional facilities while awaiting trial, serving sentences, or awaiting transfer to another facility.
The following are the jails and correctional centers in Polk County:
- Polk County Jail
- Polk County Juvenile Detention Center
- Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (State-owned)
- Fresh Start Women's Center (State-owned)
- Fort Des Moines Corrections Complex (State-owned)
Polk County Jail has a bed capacity of 1,500, with provisions in place to accommodate an additional 1,000 beds if necessary. The administration of this facility is operated by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Polk County Juvenile Detention Center is a minimum security facility that provides detention care for youths aged 11 to 17 who have committed a crime or are awaiting a court hearing. The center is structured into three distinct wings, each capable of hosting eleven youths. The facility can house up to 33 juveniles at full capacity and is managed by Polk County's Department of Community, Family, and Youth Services.
The Iowa Correctional Institution for Women is a medium security institution that can accommodate 510 female inmates. In 2022, the facility processed 318 intakes and 183 releases. It operates under the oversight of the Iowa Department of Corrections and is often referred to as Mitchellville Prison for Women due to its location.
Fresh Start Women's Center (FSWC) is a 48-bed minimum security facility with one additional room for a mother to reside with her child. FSWC primarily serves women on probation or parole within Polk County. In 2022, the facility served a total of 1,616 resident and non-resident clients. The Iowa Department of Corrections oversees and manages the operation of this facility.
Fort Des Moines Corrections Complex is a minimum security facility designed to serve low-risk adult male offenders. The facility provides both residential and Work Release services to justice-involved men. The facility can house 240 inmates at full capacity and is also managed by the Iowa Department of Corrections. The complex served a total of 1,069 offenders in 2022.
How to Find an Inmate in Polk County
Individuals can find inmates online, by phone, email, or in person at the Polk County Jail. The Jail has several online tools where requesters can find inmate information about inmates currently in custody, individuals recently released, and those admitted within the past 24 hours. Phone and email requests can be directed to the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (515) 323-5400 or at polkcounty.sheriff@polkcountyiowa.gov. For In-person requests, specific details about the inmate (such as their name, date of birth, date of arrest, or booking number) will be required to facilitate information retrieval. Individuals can visit the jail from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
How Does a Polk County Inmate Search Work?
Under the provisions of the Iowa Open Records Law, the general public is granted the right to access information about inmates confined in any of the county's correctional facilities unless the law specifically prohibits such disclosure. The following records are available to those interested in such information:
- Inmate's full name
- Jail ID number
- Photograph
- Hair Color
- Eye color
- Date of birth
- Age
- Race
- Sex
- Height
- Weight
- Holding location
- County of commitment
- Booking number
- Booking date
- Case number
- Case date
- Arrest agency
- Charge count
- Bail amount
- Bail type
- Charge details
- Offense class
- Supervision status
- Discharge date
Where to Find a Polk County Inmate Locator
Polk County Jail has several inmate locators that can be used to view the current inmates under the Sheriff's custody and review records of individuals booked or released within 24 hours. Users can also search the jail records by name and inmate number for inmates released in the previous year.
Individuals can use the DOC's Inmate Locator to locate Polk County inmates held in any correctional institutions maintained by the Iowa Department of Corrections. The search parameters are by the inmate's name, date of birth, gender, offender number, offense, and the county of commitment.
Inquirers seeking information on Polk County inmates housed in federal prisons can do so via the Inmate Locator provided on the website of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The search can be conducted using the inmate's name or unique identification number.
Alternatively, certain third-party websites provide search tools that enable interested members of the public to retrieve inmate records. The search criteria on these websites typically include the inmate's first or last name and the incarceration location. Access to records on these platforms attracts a fee, and the amount varies from site to site.
How to Send Money to a Polk County Inmate
Individuals can send money to a Polk County inmate by depositing money into their commissary account. These deposits are made via an approved third-party platform. Individuals who wish to transfer funds should navigate to the website and select "Iowa" and "Polk County" from the State and Facility dropdown menu, respectively. On the subsequent screen, click "Smart Deposit" and fill in the information about the inmate to complete the transaction.
How to Visit a Polk County Inmate
The Polk County Sheriff's Office facilitates both on-site and remote video visits between inmates and their loved ones. Registration for visits can be completed online or on-site at the Jail facility. A valid government ID and email address are required to complete the registration.
On-site public visits are only permitted on Sundays (8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.) to Thursdays (8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.). A visitation session lasts up to 25 minutes and must be scheduled at least a day in advance, though they can be booked up to three weeks ahead. Qualified professionals can schedule a visit with only one hour's notice.
Remote visit sessions are available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The availability of an inmate for remote visits is subject to the prison's program. Each session costs $0.25 per minute.
The following rules apply to video visitation at the County jail:
- The primary visitor must register with their legal name and will be responsible for the behavior of everyone during the visit.
- Unauthorized communication between inmates is prohibited.
- Visitors are not allowed to stream, record, or take pictures of the visit.
- Each adult must visit separately unless the visitors are parents or grandparents. Then, they may visit together at a time.
- Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
- Visitor's attire must be conservative and respectful. Clothing must be clean, in good repair, non-offensive, and adhere to common standards of decency. Strapless tops, swimsuits, exposed undergarments, and see-through clothing are expressly prohibited.
- Visitors exhibiting signs of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be denied entry.
- Any visitor possessing illegal contraband may face arrest and criminal prosecution.
- Tobacco products, gum, soda, and other food items are strictly forbidden in the visiting area.
- Individuals with known felony charges are not permitted in the facility.
How to Send Jail Mail in Polk County
Jail mail can be sent to inmates at Polk County Jail via the United States Postal Service. The sender's full name and address must be on the return address section of the envelope. If not, the mail will be returned to the Post Office. The mail should be properly addressed as follows:
(Inmate's Complete Name)
Polk County Jail
1985 - NE 51st place
Des Moines, IA 50313-2517
The Polk County Sheriff's Office does not permit the delivery of packages or other property for inmates. Polk County Jail inmates can have a maximum of five (5) photographs in their personal possession, which must be mailed. Note that in-person submissions, Polaroid photos, and photographs that exceed 4" x 6" are not accepted.
Polk County Jails and Prisons
Here is a compilation of the addresses of correctional facilities within Polk County:
Polk County Jails
Polk County Jail
1985 NE 51st Place
Des Moines, IA 50313
Phone: (515) 323-5400
Polk County Juvenile Detention Center
1548 Hull Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316
Phone: (515) 286-3344
Fax: (515) 286-2232
State Prisons in Polk County
The Iowa Correctional Institution for Women
420 Mill St SW
Mitchellville, IA 50169
Phone: (515) 725-5042
Fresh Start Women's Center
1917 Hickman Road
Des Moines 50314
Phone: (515) 242-6325
Fax: (515) 242-6328
Fort Des Moines Corrections Complex
68-70 Thayer Street
Des Moines 50315
Phone: (515) 242-6603
Fax: (515) 242-6960
