IA DOC - Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP)

State Prison

Last Updated: March 24, 2025
Address
2111 330th Ave, Fort Madison, IA 52627
Beds
588
County
Lee
Phone
319-372-5432
Fax
319-372-6967

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Iowa State Penitentiary is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for State - maximum facility.

The phone carrier is Iowa Departmentof Corrections - Fund Facility, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of IA DOC - Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP)

You can support your loved ones at Iowa State Penitentiary on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 319-372-5432.

Located at 2111 330th Ave in Fort Madison, IA, Iowa State Penitentiary carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Iowa State Penitentiary offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on IA DOC - Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison 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. 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.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches 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. Prisons and jails enforce 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.

The Iowa State Penitentiary is the only maximum-security prison in the state capable of housing about 843 inmates. It was established in 1839, the year after Iowa became a territory and seven years before it became a state and was patterned after the Auburn, New York Penitentiary - a prison within a prison, a cell for each convict. The Penitentiary underwent an extensive renovation of its cell houses when "unitization" was introduced in 1982. Unitization divided large cell houses into smaller, self-contained living units that are more easily managed. The Penitentiary is the state’s only maximum-security institution, housing repeat, and violent male offenders. The Penitentiary complex includes ISP itself with a court-ordered capacity of 550. In addition, the complex includes the John Bennett Correctional Center, a medium-security dormitory adjacent to the Penitentiary currently housing 169 inmates; two minimum-security farms located within a few miles of Fort Madison with a combined population of 170, and a ten-bed multiple care unit. A Special Needs Unit for inmates with severe mental health/clinical care needs opened in August 2002, with 40 inmates and will increase in stages to a population of 120 inmates.

Inmates at the Penitentiary are offered Adult Basic Education and General Education Development classes, special education for eligible individuals, as well as vocational training in upholstering, commercial cooking, auto mechanics, machining, and printing, as well as providing labor for a large crop farm and a cattle and swine operation. Work opportunities with hourly wages are available in Iowa Prison Industries shops at the Penitentiary. A six-month substance abuse program is offered to inmates with drug or alcohol problems, and Alcoholics Anonymous groups operate at the Penitentiary and the John Bennett Center.

Inmate Locator

Iowa State Penitentiary maintains a database of current inmates and their locations within the system. To locate an inmate, begin by using the DOC locator tool, which requires entering the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name, allowing for variations in spelling.

If unable to locate the desired information through free resources, users may opt to use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment. While this option incurs a small fee, it provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Get an Arrest Record immediately.

Visitation Information

IA DOC - Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP) - Visitation

Iowa State Penitentiary
All reservations, both video and in-person, are scheduled by the
Ameelio app


Video Visits are held:

Monday and Friday, each hour from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for 50 minutes each

Incarcerated individuals in a segregation status do not have contact visits. There are limited video visits available on the weekend. Please check availability through the Ameelio app.

In-Person Visiting:

Saturday and Sunday, two-hour time slots beginning at 8:00 am, 11:00 am to 2:30pm

The number of visits allowed per visiting week are subject to change. Currently incarcerated individuals are limited to one visit per week. The visiting week is Friday through Monday. For questions about the Ameelio app or assistance in troubleshooting, you should contact iowasupport@ameelio.org For questions specifically about your loved one’s visit ISPinfo@iowa.gov or call 319-376-4850

For visiting information, please visit the department's visiting page.

Reminder: Per the Department visitation policy, all visitors upon entrance to the institutions shall be subject to search. Security and contraband control are critical operational requirements, necessitating a search of all visitors by trained correctional staff. Searches may include but are not limited to, a pat down, metal detectors, electronic ion scanners, other electronic devices, or visual searches. If visitors refuse to comply with the Department visitation policy, entrance to the visiting room will be denied.

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Frequently Asked Questions

IA DOC - Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP) – FAQs

  1. What is a state prison?
      A state prison is a correctional facility operated by the Iowa Department of Corrections, housing individuals convicted of state crimes. Inmates typically serve sentences longer than one year. State prisons have different security levels and provide rehabilitation, education, and work programs.

  2. How do state prisons differ from federal prisons?
      State prisons hold offenders convicted of crimes under state laws, while federal prisons house those convicted of federal offenses. State prisons are managed by state DOCs and vary in policies, security levels, and resources. Federal prisons, run by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), often have more structured programs and uniform policies nationwide.

  3. What are the different security levels in state prisons?
      State prisons are classified as minimum, medium, or maximum security, based on inmate risk assessments. Minimum-security facilities house non-violent offenders with lower risks. Medium-security prisons have higher security protocols and structured daily routines. Maximum-security prisons, or supermax facilities, house the most dangerous offenders with strict confinement measures.

  4. How are inmates classified in state prisons?
      Classification is based on criminal history, sentence length, behavior, and medical or mental health needs. The DOC assesses inmates upon intake to determine their housing assignment, work eligibility, and rehabilitative program access. Inmates may be reclassified based on behavior or security concerns.

  5. What types of programs are offered in state prisons?
      State prisons offer GED courses, vocational training, substance abuse counseling, mental health treatment, religious programs, and work release opportunities. Many prisons collaborate with colleges and trade schools to provide certificates in fields such as welding, plumbing, and computer technology.

  6. Can inmates earn early release from state prisons?
      Some inmates qualify for parole, good behavior credits, or sentence reduction programs. State laws determine eligibility based on offense type, institutional behavior, and participation in rehabilitation programs. Some states offer compassionate release for elderly or terminally ill inmates.

  7. How do state prisons handle medical care for inmates?
      Inmates receive basic medical, dental, and mental health care inside the facility. For specialized care, they may be transported to hospitals under security escort. State DOCs often contract with private healthcare providers such as Corizon Health, Wellpath, and Centurion Health.

  8. Are state prison inmates allowed to work?
      Yes, inmates can work within the prison (kitchen, janitorial, maintenance) or in prison industries (manufacturing, farming, sewing, furniture-making). Some states allow inmates to participate in work-release programs, where they work outside the prison and return at night. Inmate workers may earn small wages (often $0.10 to $2.00 per hour) depending on the job.

  9. What are the visitation rules for state prisons?
      Visitation varies by facility but generally requires pre-approval of visitors, background checks, dress codes, and scheduled visiting hours. Some prisons allow contact visits (where inmates and visitors can hug or hold hands), while others allow only non-contact visits (separated by glass). Video visitation services are provided by companies like GTL (ViaPath), Securus, and IC Solutions.

  10. Can inmates receive mail and packages?
      Yes, inmates can receive letters, photos, and books, but all mail is screened for contraband. Some state prisons require mail to be sent through third-party processors, which convert letters into digital copies. Packages with clothing or hygiene items must often be ordered through approved vendors like Access Securepak, InmateCanteen, JailCanteeniCareGifts, MyCarePack or Union Supply Group.

  11. How do phone calls work in state prisons?
      Inmates can make outgoing calls to approved numbers through prison phone services, but cannot receive calls. Calls are typically monitored and recorded. Services like GTL (ViaPath), Securus, and IC Solutions provide prepaid accounts for families to deposit funds for calls. Some states offer tablet-based calls with limited messaging services.

  12. What are the disciplinary rules in state prisons?
      Inmates must follow prison regulations regarding behavior, movement, and interactions with staff and other inmates. Infractions like fighting, possession of contraband, or rule violations can result in loss of privileges, solitary confinement, or additional time added to their sentence.

  13. Do state prisons offer religious services?
      Yes, state prisons have chaplains and religious volunteers who provide services for various faiths. Many facilities offer Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and religious dietary accommodations for inmates who follow specific religious beliefs.

  14. How does parole work in state prisons?
      Inmates eligible for parole must appear before a parole board, which reviews their behavior, program participation, and risk to society. If granted parole, inmates serve the remainder of their sentence under supervision in the community, following specific rules such as curfews and employment requirements.

  15. Can inmates transfer between state prisons?
      Yes, inmates may be transferred for medical needs, security risks, disciplinary actions, or administrative reasons. Some may request transfers to be closer to family, but approvals depend on facility capacity and eligibility requirements.

  16. What happens when an inmate finishes their sentence?
      Inmates released from state prison may receive reentry services, such as job training, housing assistance, and substance abuse counseling. Some states require certain inmates to remain under supervision (such as parole or probation) after release.

  17. Are state prisons overcrowded?
      Many states struggle with overcrowding due to high incarceration rates. Solutions include alternative sentencing programs, early release initiatives, and building new facilities to accommodate growing populations.

  18. How can family members send money to an inmate?
      Families can deposit funds into an inmate’s commissary account through services like JPay, ConnectNetwork, or  Access Corrections. Money is used for purchasing snacks, hygiene items, and phone calls. Some states have limits on how much an inmate can receive per month.

  19. Do state prisons offer educational opportunities?
      Yes, many prisons provide GED classes, college courses, and vocational training programs. Some offer Pell Grants for inmates to take college-level courses. Popular vocational programs include auto repair, HVAC, and culinary arts.

  20. Can inmates be placed in protective custody?
      Yes, inmates who are at risk of harm due to gang conflicts, former law enforcement ties, or other safety concerns can be placed in protective custody (PC). These inmates are housed separately from the general population, often with limited movement and privileges for their safety.

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Ask The Inmate

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