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This page lists all 87 city jails in Iowa. You can browse by county below, search for specific facilities, or navigate to related pages.
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About City Jails in Iowa
Understanding city jails in the Iowa
Welcome to the most complete and up-to-date directory of city jails in Iowa. This page lists every active city jail facility operating across Iowa, giving families, attorneys, bail bondsmen, and the general public fast, reliable access to local jail information. Whether you need to locate a recently arrested loved one, find contact details for a specific facility, or simply understand how the city jail system works in Iowa, everything you need is available right here.
City Jail vs. Prison: What's the Difference?
City jails serve a very different function from state or federal prisons:
- City Jails: Locally operated facilities that hold individuals for short periods — typically those who have just been arrested, are awaiting trial, are unable to make bail, or are serving sentences of less than one year.
- County Jails: Similar to city jails but operated at the county level, serving a larger geographic area.
- State Prisons: Operated by Iowa's Department of Corrections for felony offenses with sentences longer than one year.
- Federal Prisons: Operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons for federal crimes.
If you're unsure where your loved one is held, use our free US inmate locator tool to search across all facility types at once.
How to Find Someone in a City Jail
When a loved one is arrested and taken to a city jail in Iowa, finding out exactly where they are being held is the first priority. Because city jails are locally operated, there is no single centralized database — which is exactly why this directory exists. Browse the list below, click on the relevant facility, and use the inmate search feature to locate your loved one quickly.
Booking & Intake Process
The booking process includes fingerprinting, photographing, health screening, and search of belongings. This can take a few hours to most of a day. During this period, the person is generally not accessible by phone or visitors.
Getting Bail
Bail is set by a judge at an arraignment, typically within 24-72 hours of arrest. A licensed bail bondsman can post bail on your behalf for a non-refundable fee of 10-15% of the total bail amount.
Hiring a Lawyer
Securing qualified legal representation as early as possible is critical. A criminal defense attorney can attend bail hearings, negotiate with prosecutors, and begin building a defense strategy from day one.
Calling an Inmate
Most city jails use third-party phone providers with outbound-only calls. Your number must be registered and a prepaid account set up. Read our calling guide for step-by-step instructions.
Sending Money
Inmates can receive money via online transfers, kiosk deposits, or money orders. Funds go to their commissary account for food, hygiene products, and phone credits. Click any facility for specific deposit methods.
Visitation
Visitation policies vary by facility. Some offer in-person visits while others use video only. Always check the specific facility's rules, visiting hours, and pre-approval requirements before making the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
City Jails by County in Iowa
View facilities organized by county
Filter City Jails by County
Iowa has City Jails spread across dozens of counties, and finding the right one quickly can be challenging without the right tools. Use the county list below to instantly narrow results and view only the City Jails in a specific county within Iowa. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to locate someone who was recently arrested in a specific area, or if you are planning a visit and need to find the closest facility to your location.
All City Jails in Iowa
Complete listing of city jails
Browse Every City Jails in Iowa
The full list of city jails in Iowa is displayed below. Each entry includes the jail's name, city, county, address, and contact information. City jails are locally operated facilities typically managed by municipal law enforcement agencies such as city police departments or local sheriff's offices. They primarily house individuals who have been recently arrested, are awaiting arraignment or bail hearings, or are serving short-term sentences.
| Facility Name | County | Action |
|---|---|---|
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Dubuque Jail
770 Iowa St, Dubuque, IA 52001
|
Dubuque | View Details |
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Dyersville Jail
340 1st Ave East, Dyersville, IA 52040
|
Dubuque | View Details |
|
Jefferson Jail
Greene County Law Enforcement Center
204 South Chestnut St, ...
|
Greene | View Details |
|
Webster Jail
400 Second St, Webster City, IA 50595
|
Hamilton | View Details |
|
Britt Jail
170 Main Ave, Britt, IA 50423
|
Hancock | View Details |
|
Garner Jail
135 West 5th St, Garner, IA 50438
|
Hancock | View Details |
|
Ackley Jail
1325 12th St, Ackley, IA 50627
|
Hardin | View Details |
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Eldora Jail
1442 Washington St, Eldora, IA 50627
|
Hardin | View Details |
|
Iowa Falls Jail
315 Stevens St, Iowa Falls, IA 50126
|
Hardin | View Details |
|
Mount Pleasant Jail
300 West Monroe St, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
|
Henry | View Details |
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Humboldt Jail
430 Sumner Ave, Humboldt, IA 50548
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Humboldt | View Details |
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Marengo Jail
153 East Main St, Marengo, IA 52301
|
Iowa | View Details |
|
Maquoketa Jail
102 South Niagara St, Maquoketa, IA 52060
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Jackson | View Details |
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Colfax Jail
15 East Howard St, Colfax, IA 50054
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Jasper | View Details |
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Fairfield Jail
1200 West Grimes Ave, Fairfield, IA 52556
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Jefferson | View Details |
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Iowa Jail
410 East Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240
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Johnson | View Details |
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North Liberty Jail
5 East Cherry St, North Liberty, IA 52317
|
Johnson | View Details |
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Anamosa Jail
100 East First St, Anamosa, IA 52205
|
Jones | View Details |
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Monticello Jail
200 East South St, Monticello, IA 52310
|
Jones | View Details |
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Keota Jail
100 North Hamilton St, Keota, IA 52248
|
Keokuk | View Details |
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Algona Jail
112 West Call St, Algona, IA 50511
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Kossuth | View Details |
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Fort Madison Jail
811 Ave East, Fort Madison, IA 52627
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Lee | View Details |
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Cedar Rapids Jail
505 First St Southwest, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
|
Linn | View Details |
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Hiawatha City Jail
101 Emmons St, Hiawatha, IA 52233
|
Linn | View Details |
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Marion Jail
3911 Katz Drive, Marion, IA 52302
|
Linn | View Details |
City Jails in Other States
Browse city jails in other states
Explore City Jails in Other States
Looking for city jails beyond Iowa? We've got you covered. Use the state selectors below to instantly switch to a full directory of city jails in any other US state. Whether you need to look up facilities in a neighboring state or search across the country, our nationwide directory makes it simple to find the information you need in just a few clicks.