Pottawattamie County IA Jail (ICE)

You can support your loved ones at Pottawattamie Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 712-890-2260.

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 Pottawattamie Jail is a detention center located at 1400 Big Lake Rd Council Bluffs, IA which is operated locally by the Pottawattamie 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. Pottawattamie County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Council Bluffs 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 Pottawattamie County Jail, established in 1999, boasts a design capacity of 288 beds, spanning from maximum security single cells to minimum security dormitory housing units, with a large majority of inmates coming from US Homeland Security and ICE. It accommodates inmates of all security levels, including work release inmates, with a separate work release dormitory connected to the main jail but maintaining segregation to ensure efficient treatment and control. The jail management computer system enhances operational efficiency, resulting in a lower staff-to-inmate ratio, contributing to cost-effective staffing and inmate management.

Featuring a video courtroom for arraignments and hearings, the facility reduces costs associated with inmate transportation and ensures a secure environment for all stakeholders. Visitor-friendly design elements, including a video visitation system, facilitate efficient operations while eliminating contraband concerns, enabling inmates to maintain contact with the outside world as per constitutional guarantees.

Under the Sheriff's direction, the jail is staffed with detention supervisors, a business manager, detention officers, clerical staff, maintenance personnel, and medical professionals, including registered nurses available seventeen hours per day, seven days a week. Food, laundry, and commissary services are provided through an external vendor contract.

The facility's design allows for expansion, with provisions for additional cells in the kitchen, laundry, and control areas, utilizing adjacent county-owned land for future expansion. The criminal justice system employs alternative sentence options when applicable to optimize the use of secure jail beds for inmates who require them.

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.