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IA · Polk County

How to find someone in jail in Polk County, Iowa

Polk County Jail detention facility contact

Use official custody resources for Polk County and confirm the housing location with the responsible agency. The dated facility dataset below is a reference, not confirmation that a person is held there.

County facilities listed
6
State locator
Iowa DOC Offender Search
Service coverage
Participating agencies; verify scope
Jurisdiction
Polk County, IA

Which system is holding them?

There is no single search that covers everyone in Polk County. Match the situation to the right official locator — most families start with the first one.

If the arrest was recent

Start with the local jail

For a recent local arrest, check the arresting jurisdiction’s official jail roster or custody-notification service. Housing may be at a municipal, county, regional, or contracted facility. If no record appears, ask the arresting agency or jail how to confirm the booking; do not infer the destination from distance or a facility listing.

Use the published Polk County Jail detention facility contact for County custody assistance. Confirm the actual arresting agency and whether the person is held, released or transferred before relying on a facility destination.

Polk County Jail detention facility contact

Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Published contact; the number was not called. It is not established as a booking hotline. No individual location, universal municipal booking destination or transfer timing is claimed.

Search Iowa participating-agency custody — VINE name-search fields reached without signing in; participating-agency coverage must be verified

Local source reviewed 2026-10-06. This is published phone assistance; the number was not called.

If nothing appears, contact the arresting agency or the responsible jail to ask how to confirm booking. A missing record does not prove release, and an agency may limit what it can disclose.

If they were sentenced to prison

Use the correctional locator

For a state-prison sentence, use the Iowa correctional locator. A short jail sentence may still be served in a local or regional jail. A sentence alone does not establish the housing location; confirm with the responsible agency.

Iowa DOC jurisdiction; county of commitment is not current county-jail custody

Open Iowa custody search

Name or offender number; optional gender, location, offense, county and search type.

Official agency instructions and assistance

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Search controls reached; individual results not tested.

If the charge is federal

Search the Federal Bureau of Prisons

A federal charge does not tell you which building holds the person. The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for federal pretrial detention and may use local, state, private, or federal facilities. Check the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator, but a missing result does not establish that the person is not detained. For a recent federal arrest, contact the arresting agency or the relevant U.S. Marshals district office to ask about the appropriate custody-information process. USMS is a contact route, not a public person locator, and disclosure of a location is not guaranteed.

Search the Federal BOP locator U.S. Marshals district directory

City and municipal custody assistance

Use the contact matching the agency that made the arrest. These researched municipal holding and transfer paths are separate from the county routes.

Alleman city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for Alleman city through Polk County Sheriff Law Enforcement office. Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact. The current Sheriff source specifically names this city among its responsible service areas.

Alleman city — Polk County Sheriff Law Enforcement office

Call the published contact. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Ankeny city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for Ankeny city through Ankeny Police non-emergency through County Dispatch (option 5). Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact.

Ankeny city — Ankeny Police non-emergency through County Dispatch (option 5)

Call the published contact and choose option 5 to reach Ankeny Police through Polk County Dispatch. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Bondurant city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for Bondurant city through Polk County Sheriff Law Enforcement office. Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact. The current Sheriff source specifically names this city among its responsible service areas.

Bondurant city — Polk County Sheriff Law Enforcement office

Call the published contact. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Clive city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for Clive city through Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency. Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact. The current government Westcom page names this whole city among its shared Police dispatch service areas; all Census County memberships are retained.

Clive city — Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency

Call the published contact. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact. Westcom also publishes 515-222-3322 as another non-emergency line.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Dallas County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Dallas County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named agency contact and ask which unit handles actual County custody, release or transfer. For a recent arrest, ask the actual arresting agency where the person was taken. The number was not called.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Elkhart city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for Elkhart city through Polk County Sheriff Law Enforcement office. Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact. The current Sheriff source specifically names this city among its responsible service areas.

Elkhart city — Polk County Sheriff Law Enforcement office

Call the published contact. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Norwalk city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for Norwalk city through Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency. Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact. The current government Westcom page names this whole city among its shared Police dispatch service areas; all Census County memberships are retained.

Norwalk city — Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency

Call the published contact. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact. Westcom also publishes 515-222-3322 as another non-emergency line.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Sheldahl city custody assistance

The current FY27 agreement approved by Story County expressly provides Sheriff contract law-enforcement services for Sheldahl city, effective July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. Use the named Sheriff Communications Center for initial local arrest or custody assistance; confirm the actual arresting agency, holding, release or transfer.

Sheldahl city — Sheriff Communications Center non-emergency assistance

Call the published non-emergency Communications Center contact and ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Use a County Jail contact only after actual intake at that Jail is confirmed.

Current contract-provider non-emergency assistance; the number was not called or established as an inmate-status hotline. No exclusive provider, individual placement, automatic County Jail intake or transfer timing is claimed.

Story County Jail after confirmed intake

Use this separately reviewed Jail contact only after actual Story County Jail intake is confirmed; ask about custody, release or further transfer. Call the named agency contact and ask which unit handles actual County custody, release or transfer. For a recent arrest, ask the actual arresting agency where the person was taken. The number was not called.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Urbandale city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for Urbandale city through Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency. Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact. The current government Westcom page names this whole city among its shared Police dispatch service areas; all Census County memberships are retained.

Urbandale city — Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency

Call the published contact. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact. Westcom also publishes 515-222-3322 as another non-emergency line.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Dallas County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Dallas County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named agency contact and ask which unit handles actual County custody, release or transfer. For a recent arrest, ask the actual arresting agency where the person was taken. The number was not called.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

West Des Moines city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for West Des Moines city through Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency. Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact. The current government Westcom page names this whole city among its shared Police dispatch service areas; all Census County memberships are retained.

West Des Moines city — Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency

Call the published contact. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact. Westcom also publishes 515-222-3322 as another non-emergency line.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Dallas County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Dallas County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named agency contact and ask which unit handles actual County custody, release or transfer. For a recent arrest, ask the actual arresting agency where the person was taken. The number was not called.

Madison County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Madison County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can help with actual custody, release or transfer and the receiving agency. Confirm any transfer before using a receiving-facility contact.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Windsor Heights city custody assistance

Initial arrest or local custody assistance for Windsor Heights city through Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency. Confirm the actual arresting agency and current holding, release or transfer before relying on any receiving-facility contact. The current government Westcom page names this whole city among its shared Police dispatch service areas; all Census County memberships are retained.

Windsor Heights city — Westcom shared dispatch non-emergency

Call the published contact. Ask which agency can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm any receiving agency before using its facility contact. Westcom also publishes 515-222-3322 as another non-emergency line.

Published Police/provider assistance; number was not called. Shared dispatch is not a booking hotline. No individual location, automatic County intake or transfer timing is established.

Polk County custody contact after confirmed intake

Use this separately verified County contact only after actual intake in Polk County is confirmed. County membership alone does not determine the receiving facility. Call the named contact and ask which unit can confirm actual custody, release or transfer. Confirm the receiving agency before using any receiving-facility contact.

Reviewed 2026-10-06. Published phone assistance; the number was not called.

Polk County jails & facilities 6

A listing does not establish that a person is held here. Use the responsible agency’s official locator or contact page to confirm custody.

No current facility contact has been independently verified for this guide. Start with the custody paths below or ask the arresting agency; do not travel or pay based on a historical listing.

Historical facility dataset (6 entries; current status unverified or no longer active)

These entries preserve dated source information. Addresses, phone numbers, types, and websites may be obsolete. They are not current recommendations; use official custody resources below.

County jail

POLK COUNTY INTERIM JAIL

Address
2 SW 9TH ST, DES MOINES, IA 50309

Facility info as of 2019-12-11. Historical dataset entry — current status unverified. (this listing may be out of date — it is not a confirmed current detention destination)

Juvenile / youth facility

POLK COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER

Address
1548 HULL AVENUE, DES MOINES, IA 50316
Phone
(515) 286-3344
Source website recorded in the dataset — confirm current details

Facility info as of 2024-07-10. Historical dataset entry — current status unverified. (this listing may be out of date — it is not a confirmed current detention destination)

State correctional facility

FORT DES MOINES COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS COMPLEX

Address
68 THAYER ST, DES MOINES, IA 50315
Phone
(515) 242-6600
Rated capacity
267 beds
Source website recorded in the dataset — confirm current details

Facility info as of 2024-04-01. Historical dataset entry — current status unverified. (this listing may be out of date — it is not a confirmed current detention destination)

State correctional facility

FRESH START WOMEN'S CENTER (WOMEN'S RESIDENTIAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY)

Address
1917 HICKMAN ROAD, DES MOINES, IA 50314
Phone
(515) 242-6325
Rated capacity
48 beds
Source website recorded in the dataset — confirm current details

Facility info as of 2024-04-02. Historical dataset entry — current status unverified. (this listing may be out of date — it is not a confirmed current detention destination)

State correctional facility

IOWA CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN

Address
420 MILL STREET SOUTHWEST, MITCHELLVILLE, IA 50169
Phone
(515) 725-5042
Rated capacity
774 beds
Source website recorded in the dataset — confirm current details

Facility info as of 2024-02-23. Historical dataset entry — current status unverified. (this listing may be out of date — it is not a confirmed current detention destination)

Detention facility

POLK COUNTY MAIN JAIL

Address
1985 NE 51ST PL, DES MOINES, IA 50309
Phone
(515) 323-5400
Rated capacity
1500 beds
Source website recorded in the dataset — confirm current details

Facility info as of 2024-02-07. Historical dataset entry — current status unverified. (this listing may be out of date — it is not a confirmed current detention destination)

Other kinds of custody

Immigration detention has a separate official ICE detainee locator. It does not search for people under 18, and a missing result does not prove release; use the official ICE field-office contacts. Search by A-number and country of birth, or the name/country/date-of-birth information requested by the service. Access and disclosure can be restricted.

Juvenile and tribal custody may have different agencies, privacy rules, and search limits. This guide does not provide a comprehensive juvenile or tribal locator. Contact the arresting agency or responsible juvenile or tribal authority to confirm the correct process.

For federal pretrial detention, use the U.S. Marshals district directory. Federal responsibility can include housing in a local jail.

Nearby counties in Iowa

If the arrest happened just across a county line, these Iowa counties are geographic navigation aids. Open a guide for official custody resources; these links do not establish detention or transport destinations.

If you need to bail them out in Iowa

Finding the person comes first. Once you know where they are being held, this is how getting them out works in Iowa.

Commercial bail available

Release depends on the court’s order. A payment is not required in every case. Ask the court which secured-bond options, if any, are permitted; a private commercial bond service has separate fees and conditions. Confirm the process before paying anyone.

The person’s rights. The person in custody has the right to talk to a lawyer about their case, and if they cannot afford one, the court can appoint a public defender.

Common questions about finding someone in Polk County

How do I find someone who was just arrested in Polk County?

For a recent local arrest, check the arresting jurisdiction’s official jail roster or custody-notification service. Housing may be at a municipal, county, regional, or contracted facility. If no record appears, ask the arresting agency or jail how to confirm the booking; do not infer the destination from distance or a facility listing.

How do I find someone in state prison from Polk County?

For a state-prison sentence, use the Iowa correctional locator. A short jail sentence may still be served in a local or regional jail. A sentence alone does not establish the housing location; confirm with the responsible agency.

Is there a free way to check if someone is in custody in Iowa?

Public custody searches are free. VINE name-search fields reached without signing in; participating-agency coverage must be verified Check whether the responsible local agency participates. Use its contact when the service is unavailable; a missing record does not establish release.

How does bail work for someone held in Polk County?

Ask the court or responsible jail for the release order and permitted options. Court deposits and private service fees are different, conditions vary, and payment does not guarantee release.

More of Iowa

This is one of Iowa’s counties. The state guide has the complete rundown and every other county.

All of Iowa — custody resources & county guides