Monona County Jail

Search for an Inmate in Monona County

Monona County Jail Information

The Monona County Jail is a 18-bed jail located in Onawa, Monona County, Iowa. For inmate details, you can contact them 24/7 at 712-423-2525.

This facility processes offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies. They undergo booking and processing, and depending on their charges, may remain incarcerated until they are bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or held until their trial concludes.

Use the inmate search tool to see who is currently in custody.

Inmates serving less than one year will do their time at this jail, while those with longer sentences will be transferred to the Iowa State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This page provides information on the visitation schedule, funding an inmate's account, mailing them, receiving phone calls, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond details, and commissary purchases.

It is useful to keep the inmate's jail ID or booking number for correspondence purposes. If it’s not available online, contact Monona County Jail at 712-423-2525 for assistance.

Phone: 712-423-2525

Physical Address:
909 7th Street
Onawa, IA 51040

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
Public Safety Building
909 7th St.
Onawa, IA 51040

Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
Public Safety Building
909 7th St.
Onawa, IA 51040

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the Monona County Jail?

To search for an inmate in the Monona 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 712-423-2525 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's criminal court case and docket schedule online for Monona County and any other county in Iowa.

Monona County Jail Inmate Search

The Monona County Jail maintains an average of 18 offenders in custody on any given day. The Monona 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 Monona County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 360 offenders.

The following charts of Monona 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 Monona 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 Monona 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 Monona 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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About the Monona County Jail

The 18-bed Monona County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Monona 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 712-423-2525, 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 Monona 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#
Monroe County Jail
Public Safety Building
909 7th St.
Onawa, IA 51040

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#
Monroe County Jail
Public Safety Building
909 7th St.
Onawa, IA 51040

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

The booking process explained for Monona County Jail

Following an arrest, individuals are processed at Monona County Jail. The booking process confirms identity, charges, and whether the individual will be released, granted bail, or held until court.

It is advisable to remain silent during booking, as anything said can be used against the individual later. Legal counsel should be consulted before any statements are made.

The booking steps at Monona County Jail include:

  • Identification verification.
  • Taking mugshots.
  • Answering questions about health, criminal history, and gang affiliations.
  • Possible DNA sample collection.
  • A full-body search.
  • Confiscating personal items for safekeeping.
  • Providing a phone call.

Depending on circumstances, the booking process can take one hour or up to 48 hours. To inquire about posting bond for an arrestee, contact the facility at 712-423-2525.

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Directions / Map to the Monona County Jail
Inmate Bail and Bonding

What are the bail options in Monona County after an arrest?

Once arrested, an individual may be brought to Monona County Jail in Onawa for processing. The next steps vary:

1. The individual may be released without paying bail and ordered to appear on a set date.
2. The individual could be held in jail until their hearing.
3. Posting bail or bond allows them to be released. Call 712-423-2525 to confirm the bail amount.

There are several ways to pay an individual’s bail.

  • Cash, credit, and money orders are accepted payment methods.
  • Licensed bail bond agencies in Monona County can provide assistance.
  • County real estate may also be used as collateral for bail.

For more information about bail in Monona County, Iowa, see the Monona County Jail Bail Guide.

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Monona County Jail? What is the Schedule?

Monona County Jail ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE

909 7th Street
Onawa, IA 51040
712-423-2525

  • You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
  • The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 712-423-2525 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
  • Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
  • Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.

ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 712-423-2525 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!

DAY TIMES
SUNDAY 10:00AM - 2:00PM
TUESDAY 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Monona 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 Monona County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-423-2525 for further assistance.

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Remote Video Visitation

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Monona County Jail?

Monona 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 Monona County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-423-2525 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Monona County Jail?

There are multiple ways to add money to an inmate's account at Monona County Jail, using Access Corrections Secure Deposits

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
Emailcustomerservice@accesscorrections.com
Online Chat - Look for 'bubble' on bottom right of the page linked here.

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Monona County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Monona County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select Iowa, then select Monona County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Monona County Jail.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monona County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-423-2525 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Monona County Jail?

How Do Inmates in Monona County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To set up your Monona 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 Monona 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 Monona County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-423-2525 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Monona County Jail, and what can I send them?

Monona County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Monona 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 Monona 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#
Monroe County Jail
Public Safety Building
909 7th St.
Onawa, IA 51040



Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
Public Safety Building
909 7th St.
Onawa, IA 51040



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 Monona County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & 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 Monona 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#
Monroe County Jail
Public Safety Building
909 7th St.
Onawa, IA 51040

Monona County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Monona 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 Monona County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Monroe County Jail
Public Safety Building
909 7th St.
Onawa, IA 51040


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 Monona County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-423-2525 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Monona County Jail, and what can I purchase?

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Monona County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Monona County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select Iowa, then select Monona County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Monona County Jail.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monona County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-423-2525 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Monona County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Monona County Jail uses the services of Reliance Telephone for emailing/texting to inmates.

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.  
  • Cost of texting is $4.00 per month for rental of the Reliance Tablet Phone + $0.09 per message sent or received up to 160 characters.

How Do Inmates in Monona County Jail Send and Receive Texts and Emails?

To set up your Monona County inmate to make to send and receive texts and emails to you and others, follow these instructions:

For all the information you need in order to send and receive texts and emails from your Monona County inmate, or to assist them in sending and receiving secure messages to and from others, including instructions, fees, cost of each message, tablet rentals, payment methods and times that your inmate can send messages, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: All of your communication with your inmate will be monitored and recorded. Use discretion when communicating sensitive information about their pending case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Monona County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-423-2525 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Monona County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

Monona 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 tablets 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 Monona County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-423-2525 for further assistance.

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Other Jails Nearby

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Monona County?

Monona Woodbury Ida Crawford Harrison Burt Thurston
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Search for an Inmate in Monona County

This facility, known as "Monona County Jail" is also known as Monona County Jail, Iowa, Monona.