The Buena Vista County Jail is a 24-bed jail located in Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa. For inmate information, you can call them 24/7 at 712-749-2452.
This facility processes offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies within the county. They are brought here for booking and processing. Depending on their charges, they may remain incarcerated until they are either bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or ordered to stay in custody until their trial is resolved.
You can use the inmate search tool to view the jail's roster and see who is currently in custody.
Inmates sentenced to less than one year will serve their time in this facility. Those with sentences longer than one year will be transferred to either the Iowa State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
On this page, you'll find information on inmate services, including the visitation schedule, funding an inmate's account, sending mail, receiving phone calls, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
It's useful to note and save the inmate's jail ID or booking number, which is often needed for sending mail or other communications. If you can't find it online, you can call Buena Vista County Jail at 712-749-2452 for assistance.
Phone: 712-749-2452
Physical Address:
411 Expansion Blvd
Storm Lake, IA 50588
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake IA 50588
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake IA 50588
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 712-749-2452 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's criminal court case and docket schedule online for Buena Vista County and any other county in Iowa.
Buena Vista County Jail Inmate Search
The Buena Vista County Jail maintains an average of 24 offenders in custody on any given day. The Buena Vista County Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Buena Vista County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 1,380 offenders.
The following charts of Buena Vista County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.
The information is compiled from the Buena Vista County Corrections Department, the state of Iowa Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Buena Vista County.
For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Buena Vista County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.
We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.
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The 24-bed Buena Vista County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Buena Vista County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.
It serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, local police, Immigration, and other surrounding counties as needed.
If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 712-749-2452, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.
Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.
Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.
The Buena Vista County Jail also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.
Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.
Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.
Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake IA 50588
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake IA 50588
Once someone is arrested, they are taken to Buena Vista County Jail for booking. This process involves identifying the individual, determining charges, and deciding if they will be released on their own recognizance, released on bail, or held in custody until their court date.
It’s important for the arrestee to stay silent, as anything they say can be used against them. The best advice is to avoid answering any questions about the arrest until legal counsel is present.
The booking process at Buena Vista County Jail typically includes the following steps:
Depending on circumstances, booking can take anywhere from one hour to up to 48 hours, especially during busy periods or if the individual is uncooperative. For questions about paying an arrestee’s bond or bail amount, contact the facility at 712-749-2452.
After an individual is apprehended and taken to Buena Vista County Jail in Storm Lake for booking, their release options vary based on the situation:
1. They might be released without bail, on the condition they appear in court on a scheduled date.
2. They may be detained until their court appearance.
3. They may be eligible for release after posting a bail or bond. Call 712-749-2452 for the exact bail amount.
There are different ways to settle an individual's bail or bond.
For more information on the bail process in Buena Vista County, Iowa, visit the Buena Vista County Jail Bail Information Page.
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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail? What is the Schedule?
411 Expansion Blvd
Storm Lake, IA 50588
712-749-2452
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 712-749-2452 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE!
| DAY | TIMES |
| MONDAY | 8:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 8:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 8:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 8:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
Buena Vista County Jail uses the services of Reliance Telephone for video (visit) phone calls and for emailing/texting to inmates.
Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if devices are available.
Known as the 'Reliance Inmate Wallet', it makes funding jail communication easy. Payments made into an 'Inmate Wallet' account are linked to a dedicated telephone number for inmates who rent one of their Reliance Tablet Phones. Inmate Wallet funds can be used for personal inmate text messaging, voice calls and video calls. The cost of this is $4.00 per month for rental of the Reliance Tablet Phone + $0.25 per minute for video and voice calls.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buena Vista County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-749-2452 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail?
Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if devices are available.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buena Vista County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-749-2452 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail?
1. Online - Making a deposit using a verified Visa or Mastercard online, or using their Apple or Android App.
2. By phone - Dial 866.345.1884 to reach their 24/7 Access Corrections domestic call centers.
3. Jail Lobby Kiosk - Kiosks accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
4. Mail-in Lockbox - Friends or Family who do not have a credit or debit card can mail money orders to their secure lockbox to make deposits to an inmate’s account. Depositors use a customized form that captures all needed information. Upon receipt, they process and post the deposits to the inmate's trust fund in approximately 48 hours.
Money orders may be mailed to inmates at:
Access Corrections
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132
Money orders must be made out to "Access Secure Deposits".
Include the state, city, inmate name and ID number on all money orders.
5. Walk-in Cash Deposits - Go to any Cash Pay Today location to deposit cash to your inmate's account.
Secure Deposits - Frequently Asked Questions
Secure Deposits - Video Tutorial on How it Works
Secure Deposits - Help Pages
Customer Service Contacts:
Phone: 866-345-1884
Email: customerservice@accesscorrections.com
Online Chat - Look for 'bubble' on bottom right of the page linked here.
To send commissary money to an inmate in Buena Vista County Jail follow these steps:
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Buena Vista County Jail.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buena Vista County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-749-2452 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail?
To set up your Buena Vista County inmate to make to make phone calls to you and others, follow these instructions:
For all the information you need in order to receive phone calls from your Buena Vista County inmate, or to assist them in making calls to others, including instructions, fees, cost of calls, payment methods and times that your inmate can use the phone, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your communication with your inmate will be monitored and recorded. Use discretion when discussing sensitive information about their pending case.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buena Vista County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-749-2452 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The Buena Vista County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Buena Vista County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.
Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake IA 50588
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake IA 50588
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
The Buena Vista County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Buena Vista County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake IA 50588
For inmates receiving mail in the Buena Vista County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Buena Vista County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake IA 50588
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buena Vista County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-749-2452 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail, and what can I purchase?
Access Securepak carries over 1,000 different items in the following categories:
- Food and Snacks
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Electronics
- Apparel
Registration Process:
1. Register here.
2. Select Iowa.
3. Select Buena Vista County Jail.
4. Find your Inmate.
5. Deposit Funds.
6. Order Commissary Items.
Once you are logged in, you will receive instructions on how much (and what products) you can send your inmate.
Contact Information:
* If you have any questions, you can call Access Securepak at 800-546-6283.
* You can email My Care Pack at customerservice@securepak.net.
* You can write them at:
Access Securepak
10880 Linpage Place
St. Louis, MO 63132
* You can Live Chat with a Representative online: (bottom left corner of page)
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m. CST,
and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CST.
*Note* Access Securepak will issue a refund for or replace broken, damaged, or missing products reported by Buena Vista County Jail staff. They will not honor reports of discrepancies from inmate's families or friends.
My CarePack is the Buena Vista County Jail's outside vendor for Commissary Items. They have a very good mix of Chips, Snacks, Candy, Meat, Seafood, Hygiene products, Letter writing materials, Electronics and Apparel items for sale on their website.
*NOTE* -- Once you are fully registered and have selected the inmate you wish to send commissary to, you will receive instructions on how much you can deposit, how much (and what) you can purchase for your inmate, and how often you can send commissary.
To send commissary money to an inmate in Buena Vista County Jail follow these steps:
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Buena Vista County Jail.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buena Vista County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-749-2452 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
They are the same company that facilitate Secure Deposits and Securepaks, so if you are already registered with them, then you are already approved to send Secure Messages to your inmate.
After Registering/Logging In:
1. You choose Buena Vista County Jail.
2. You Search for your inmate by typing in his last name. You can further narrow your search by adding his first name and/or Inmate ID.
3. You add a credit or debit card.
4. You buy a message plan (plans and prices vary), or buy credits. One credit costs $0.01.
5. You select the option for your inmate to be able use the credits which you purchase, to message back to you... Or not.
6. Buena Vista County Jail charges a fee for each message sent or received.
Important Things to Know
- Access Corrections has an iphone app and an android app for using their services.
- ALL of your correspondence will be monitored by the jail.
- Do NOT write anything you wouldn’t want repeated in court.
- Rates vary and are always subject to change.
- Inmates can write you back ONLY if you select that option.
- You CAN send photos up to 32MB in file size. Subject to change.
- You CAN have unlimited credits on your account but are limited in the amount of each credit purchase.
- You may NOT type or send emoticons.
- You may NOT copy and paste text. Type directly.
- You may NOT type profanities, violence or characters not approved.
- Due to messages having to be reviewed first, allow up to five days for a message to be delivered.
- You may NOT transfer credits to another email.
Phone: 866-345-1884
Email: customerservice@accesscorrections.com
FAQ
Contact Page
iphone app
Android app
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Buena Vista County Jail follow these steps:
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Buena Vista County Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Buena Vista County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buena Vista County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-749-2452 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the Buena Vista County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if tablets are available.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buena Vista County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-749-2452 for further assistance.
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What are the other City and County Jails in Buena Vista County?
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Buena Vista County?
This facility, known as "Buena Vista County Jail" is also known as Buena Vista County Jail , Buena Vista County Jail , Iowa, Buena Vista.
