Audubon County Jail

You can support your loved ones at Audubon Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 712-563-2631.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Audubon Co Jail is a detention center located at 318 Leroy St Audubon, IA which is operated locally by the Audubon County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Audubon County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Audubon Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Iowa here.

The Audubon County Sheriff's Department and jail are housed in the Audubon County Courthouse, which was built in 1939. The first sheriff, Benjamin M. Hiatt, was appointed in 1855. The current sheriff, Todd W. Johnson, has been serving since his election in 2000, having previously worked as Chief Deputy under Sheriff Bill Shaw and joined the department as a deputy in 1989.

The jail is a small 12-bed facility, handling both male and female inmates, and also accommodates out-of-county inmates when needed. It remains structurally unchanged since its construction, but it is well-maintained and includes multiple cameras to monitor inmate activities. The Chief Deputy, David Beane, serves as the jail administrator.

Sheriff Johnson is involved in several community initiatives, including the annual Bike Rodeo, which promotes safety for third graders with the help of the Farm Bureau and local law enforcement. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department is part of the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement (W.I.N.E.) and played a role in developing the regional "Fusion Center," which facilitates communication between local, state, and federal law enforcement.

The Sheriff's Office also serves as the county-wide communications hub, dispatching for various local police departments, fire, rescue, and emergency services. The communications center, recently updated with modern equipment, is staffed 24 hours and includes monitoring of the jail and courthouse security. All dispatchers are trained as emergency medical dispatchers, enhancing the county's ability to respond to emergencies effectively.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.