Iowa State Penitentiary

By BpRichfield, 9 April, 2024
Description of Facility

Iowa State Penitentiary originally started as a literal hole in the ground, housing inmates under the warden's mansion. In 1841 Cell house 17 was completed, and boasted 144 cells. Over the course of the next century, Iowa State Penitentiary would expand drastically and undergo multiple renovations. Today Iowa State Penitentiary can house up to 760 inmates in a maximum security setting. Offenders are housed in two general population units, additionally this facility has a segregation, medical and restricted housing unit.

Residents of Iowa State Penitentiary have access to treatment programs and vocational training. These include apprenticeships in cabinetry, housekeeping, and food services. Inmates can also earn a wage while applying their skills in woodworking in the Iowa Prison Industries program.

Facility Telephone Number
319-372-5432
Facility Address

Iowa State Penitentiary
2111 330th Avenue
P.O. Box 316
Fort Madison, IA 52627
United States

Inmate Mailing Address

Inmate Name, ID Number
Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP) - 1110
P.O. Box 96777
Las Vegas, NV 89193
United States

What you can send an inmate

 Inmates incarcerated in Iowa use a centralized mailing system.  This has been introduced to lower the amount of contraband entering the facility.  The centralized mail system is for personal mail sent to an inmate, legal mail should be sent directly to the facility.  In order to send mail to your inmate, you will need to know the following:

  • You will need to know the inmate's Full name and DOC Number.
    You can find this information by doing an inmate search.
  • Always include your full name and return address on the envelope and on the letter (include the inmate's information on the letter as well).
  • The mailing code for Iowa State Penitentiary is 1110
  • The mail processor is Pigeonly, they open the mail scan the contents in color, then the digital copy is printed and delivered to the inmate at the facility.  Originals are stored for a short period and then destroyed, you will not receive back what you send.
  • The Address to send personal mail to an inmate is:
    • Inmate's Full Name, ID Number
      Iowa State Penitentiary - 1110
      P.O. Box 96777
      Las Vegas, NV 89193

Inmates may receive the following through digital mail:

  • Letters and children's drawings
  • Up to ten 4"x6" photos
  • Unbound newsletters
  • Postcards 5"x7" only
  • Greetings/holiday cards (up to 5"x7" no electronics, popups.  No glitter, stickers, glued on items, or rhinestones)

All mail sent to an inmate must have the following:

  • Inmate's Full Name
  • Inmate's DOC Number
  • Facility code of the correctional facility
  • The full name and address of the sender

Read the Iowa Department of Corrections Correspondence Policy.

O-Mail
Inmates are also able to receive O-Mail, which is sort of like an e-mail service for inmates.  You can write an inmate for $0.25, and add money for O-mail credits, since they are in an account separate from their trust account.

Sending Books and Magazines
Inmates can purchase books and magazines directly from approved vendors using their DOC account.  Additionally, friends and family members of inmates can purchase books directly from the approved vendors: Books N Things and Edward R. Hamilton Books.  Purchases made through other vendors will be rejected.  Publications cannot contain nudity or present a safety or security issue.

Read more about sending publications to an inmate in Iowa.

Sending Holiday Care, Food, and Quarterly Packages
These specialty packages are only allowed to be purchased select times of the year from November 1st to November 30th.  Packages are delivered December 19th through the 23rd.  Inmates can also purchase these packages themselves, using their trust account.  You can sign up for an account and access the catalogue here.

How Inmate Calls Work

 

Incoming calls are not allowed, however once you have been added to an inmate's approved phone list you can start receiving calls from them.  Iowa Department of Corrections allows inmates to make outgoing collect calls, additionally, you can fund an offenders pre-paid telephone account by filling out this form, inmates can also buy pre-paid phone minutes using their commissary funds.  You can read more information about the phone policy for inmates in Iowa here.

How to send money to an inmate

   Inmates incarcerated in Iowa utilize a centralized banking system.  All incoming funds are processed at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility.  Funds are not accepted at any other facilities.  Restitution, child support and court fee's are handled by Iowa State Penitentiary.

Fund Iowa Inmate Accounts through the following methods:

  • By Mail:  Fund a Trust Account using a money order or cashier's check.
    • Make the money order or cashier's check payable to: "IDOC offender Fiduciary Account"
    • Include the inmate's full name, ID number, and your full name and address.
    • If the writing is not legible it will be returned.
    • Send the completed cashier's check or money order to:
      • IDOC Offender Fiduciary Account
        1550 L Street, Suite B
        Fort Dodge, IA 50501
         
  • By Web:  Via the following providers:
  • By Mobile App: App is Called Send2Corrections available on Apple and Android.
     
  • By Telephone: Through the following providers
    • Jpay 1-800-574-5729
    • Access Corrections 1-866-345-1884

For more information read the Iowa Correctional Departments policy on inmate funds here.

How to do an Inmate Search

 If your loved one is in jail in Iowa, the first thing you should have is their DOC Number, which is the Department of Corrections Identification number for the inmate. You can find this information, along with more details, by searching the Iowa Inmate Database.

Visiting Information/FAQs

Before visiting or video chatting with an inmate in Iowa, you need to complete an Iowa inmate visitors application and receive approval. To visit an inmate in Iowa, you must follow these steps:

Do not bring the following with you into the facility:

  • No Cell phones, pagers, cameras, or electronics
  • No tools
  • No tobacco products or lighters
  • No weapons
  • No drugs
  • If you are visiting with a baby you can bring two diapers, a clear non-glass bottle with milk or formula only.  A single baby blanket, burp cloth and single factory sealed clear plastic container baby food.

Visiting Hours for Iowa State Penitentiary:
All visits, both in-person and video visits,  must be scheduled using Ameelio.

In person Visiting:
Saturdays and Sundays
8:00am-2:30pm
Visits are in two hour time slots, and must be scheduled before visiting using Ameelio, available on Android and Apple.
Inmates are allowed one visit per week.

Video Visitation:
Mondays and Fridays
8:00am-4:00pm
Video visits are 50 minutes in duration, and must be scheduled using Ameelio, available on Android and Apple.

Do not arrive late to your visit, instead arrive a maximum of 15 minutes prior.
Visitors are searched upon entry to the correctional facility.  Searches include pat down, electronic ion scanners, visual searches, metal detectors, and other methods.

Dress Code and Visiting Rules

  • Shoes are required for all visitors
  • No miniskirts, or shorts (no clothing above the knee)
  • No halter tops or crop tops
  • Midriff/Stomach is required to be covered
  • No sleeveless dresses or tops
  • No see-through or sheer garments
  • No revealing dresses, blouses or tops
  • Sunglasses are not allowed (medical sun-glasses must be verified by prescription).
  • No electronics of any kind.  This includes cell phones, beepers, laptops, tablets, fit bits or other electronic devices.
  • No clothing that contains profanity, or be symbolic of drugs or gangs, sexual symbols, or contain offensive or threatening language/images are prohibited

Iowa Inmate Video Visitation
Video visitation is provided through Ameelio Connect App, available on Android and Apple.

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