Pottawattamie County Jail

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (712) 890-2250 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you call, please have the individual’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Telephone Calls

Most inmates have daily access to telephones in their housing units. Inmates cannot receive incoming telephone calls and no messages for inmates will be taken by Detention staff unless it is a verifiable emergency. After the booking process, all telephone calls by inmates are collect and the financial responsibility of the receiver.

Effective May 15, 2018, inmate telephone services are provided through a contract with TurnKey Corrections. Go to InmateCanteen.com to set up an account or put money on an inmate’s calling or canteen account.

The facility has kiosks accessible to detainees. Information about sending non-confidential messages may be found at: team3.inmatecanteen.com where an account must be created to utilize the facility messaging system which operates with either email or SMS service.

Immigration Court

For information about a matter before the immigration court, you may call 1-800-898-7180 to speak with them directly. Applications for relief from removal and other applications requested by the immigration judge must be filed directly with the immigration court.

Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

For information about a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), you may call (703) 605-1007 where you can obtain automated information or speak with a live representative during office hours.

Click the link for a list of pro bono representatives nationwide who might be able to assist you.

To Post a Delivery Bond

Delivery bonds are posted when a person has been taken into ICE custody and placed into removal proceedings while in the United States. The person posting the bond must show proof of identity (valid Government-issued photo identification, passport, military ID, LPR card, driver’s license, etc.). This person (the obligor) is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents them self before an officer or representative of this agency whenever a request is made.

Bonds for aliens detained by ICE may be posted at ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday (except public holidays) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., local time. For a list of ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nearest you or for bond information, click here. You must have the last name of the detainee and alien registration number before calling. Acceptable forms of payment to post a bond are money orders, cashier’s checks or certified checks. For all bonds $10,000 and over, the only accepted method of payment is a single cashier or certified check. Payments must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

Submitting a G-28

G-28s filed on behalf of detained non-citizens at this facility can now be accepted through the online platform ERO eFile. Facility staff will not have access to ERO eFile at this time; legal representatives should download copies of their submitted G-28 for any in-person or remote legal visit.

Sending Non-Confidential Messages to Detained Noncitizens

The facility has kiosks accessible to detainees. Information about sending non-confidential messages may be found at inmatecanteen.com

Other Legal Access Related Communications

Requests for case information pertaining to noncitizens detained at the Pottawattamie County Jail may be sent to Booking.Mail@pottcounty-ia.gov. Please note that this mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or Case Appeals.

Contacting the Deportation Officer

To ascertain the identity of your client’s Deportation Officer, contact the St. Paul Field Office to obtain that information at (612) 843-8600. Please note that a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.

Scheduling Legal Calls by Legal Service Providers

Legal calls can be scheduled by contacting the front desk at (712) 890-2250 during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Electronic Exchange of Legal Documents

A request to send legal information via fax to a detainee may be allowed upon contact to the front desk at (712) 890-2250.

The Pottawattamie County Jail encourages inmates to maintain ties with their families and friends through regular visits. These visits are conducted in the least restrictive manner possible to remain consistent with safety and security concerns, classification requirements, and space availability. The Pottawattamie County Jail utilizes a video visitation system for regular visits.

Regular visitation is available Monday through Friday according to the following schedule:

All Housing Areas
9 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
3 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (dependent on housing location)

Please contact the front desk at (712) 890-2250 for additional information regarding scheduling for visits on holidays as they vary by holiday.

Visitation will be granted on a first come, first served basis, and each visit is 20 minutes in length. Each inmate can receive a maximum of two (2), 20-minute visits per week. Inmates on certain types of disciplinary restriction may not be permitted visitors. Visitors may only visit one (1) inmate per day.

Any visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and have their birth certificate or guardian papers present.

Inmate home visitation services are provided through a contract with TurnKey Corrections. Visitors need to register an account with Turnkey which can be done online or at a lobby kiosk. Allow up to 24 hours for approval. Go to InmateCanteen.com to set up an account or put money on an inmate's canteen account.

Attorney Visits

Professional visitation is recognized as a visitor from a legal or medical entity, such as the courts, mental health, or law enforcement. Inmates have the right to confidential visits with the following persons acting in their official capacity during any time of day, 7 days a week; attorneys or authorized members of their staff, clergy who are cleared by the jail, mental health professionals who are cleared by jail, personal physicians or psychiatrists, law enforcement officers, probation and parole officers, or social workers. It is encouraged to set professional visits up in advance by contacting the Jail Administration.

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:

Any time of day, 7 days a week.

A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.

Legal Calls or Video Teleconferencing

Legal calls or video teleconferencing for legal purposes can be scheduled by contacting the front desk for inquiry of available times at (712) 890-2250 during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for this facility can be reached at (612) 843-8600.

Clergy Visits

Clergy may visit detainees at any time but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office.

Visiting Restrictions

All persons entering the premises are subject to search. All children must have adult supervision at all times. All intoxicated individuals or those appearing to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to remain on the premises. No food or drinks. No disruptive behavior.

• All family or other social visits are non-contact.
• No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
• If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
• All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
• Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
• Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.

Dress Code

All dress must be conservative in nature. The following items are prohibited:

• See-through clothing (lace, sheer etc.)
• Low cut shirts, blouses or T-shirts
• Short or cut-off shirts
• Short splits (skirts, slacks or shirts)
• Belly or midriff shirts
• Clothing with vulgarity, profanity or racial slurs.

Failure to comply with visitations expectations regarding dress code will result in visit denial until the violation has been corrected.

Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)

All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.

Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-number (File Number), plus the sender’s name and address. To enhance the safety of the facility, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. The mail is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer. Detainees may send mail from the facility. Detainees may seal their outgoing letters and place them in the provided receptacle. All incoming mail will be delivered to the detainee, and outgoing mail will be routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff. A mail pick-up and delivery schedule is posted in all housing units.

Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use. Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense. Indigent detainees (those who have no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) will be provided postage allowance at government expense.

When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. General correspondence will be endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.

If detainees receive funds in the mail, they will be taken to the processing area for the money to be placed into their account. The processing officer will provide a receipt for all funds received. Detainees are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.

A detainee may receive items that are determined to be of necessity for the sole purpose of travel or release from agency custody with approval of the ICE Deportation Officer.

Before sending packages to detainees:

Letters mailed to inmates must contain the inmate's full name as part of the address. The jail will not accept certain items through the mail. Restricted items include packages, obscene or pornographic materials, personal checks, cashier’s check, postage stamps or stamped envelopes, any type of food, or periodicals not directly sent from the publisher. Inmates will receive photo copies of the mail. The original will be placed on their property.

Mail should be addressed in the following manner:

Inmate's Name
Pottawattamie County Jail
1400 Big Lake Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Note that detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, such luggage can be sent/delivered after receiving approval from Supervisory Deportation Officer. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.

The facility has a responsibility to protect the privacy and other rights of detainees and members of the staff. Therefore, interviews will be regulated to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the facility. Ordinarily, live television or radio interviews will not be permitted in the facility. For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov.

Personal Interviews

A news media representative who desires to conduct an interview with a detainee must apply in writing to the St. Paul Field Office Field Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, indicating familiarity with an agreement to comply with the rules and regulations of the facility as provided to that person by staff.

Detainee Consent

A detainee has the right not to be interviewed, photographed, or recorded by the media. Before interviewing, photographing, or recording the voice of a detainee, a visiting representative of the media must obtain written permission from that individual.

All FOIA and Privacy Act requests must be submitted on form G-639 (Freedom of Information / Privacy Act Request) or in letter format. All requests must contain the original, notarized signature of the subject in question. Please complete the form G-639 thoroughly and if writing a letter, be sure to include the full name, any other names used, date of birth, place of birth, A-Number of the non-citizen you are seeking information about, as well as your full name, address, and telephone number, so that we may contact you if we have any questions.

Mail your FOIA or Privacy Act request to:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Freedom of Information Act Office
800 North Capitol Street, NW, Room 585
Washington, D.C. 20536

Phone – 1-866-633-1182
Email – ICE-FOIA@dhs.gov

We strive to provide quality service to people in our custody, their family, friends, and to their official representatives. If you believe that we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to:

Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640
Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111

If you feel that an ICE employee or contract services employee mistreated you and wish to make a complaint of misconduct, you may:

Contact the Field Office Director:

Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640
Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111
(612) 843-8600

Write the Office of Professional Responsibility:

Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th Street, SW
Suite 1049
Mailstop 5099
Washington, DC 20536-5005

Contact the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center (ICC):

1-833-4ICE-OPR
ICEOPRIntake@ice.dhs.gov

You may also contact the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General:

DHS Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600
Washington, DC 20528
Call: 1-800-323-8603
Fax: 202-254-4292
DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV