Polk County Juvenile Detention Center

Search for an Inmate in Polk County

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center Information

This regional juvenile detention center is located in Des Moines, Iowa and houses all of the juveniles who are assigned to detention, have been newly arrested and not yet released, or they are being held for their safety or the safety of those around them. The facility ensures the care of each youth is designed to meet their needs, and there are tr4eatmetns offered for both medical and mental health needs. Treatments are provided for substance abuse and anger management or other emotional regulation concerns. Rehabilitation is the focus, rather than punishment, so juveniles are provided with healthy meals, time for exercise and physical education both inside and out, their academic classes follow the local schools, and life skills will be improved. The schedule of the facility remains strict both weekdays and weekends, and following it encourages responsibility and discipline. It houses youth from several surrounding communities to keep the juveniles close to their homes, their families, and their support systems. There are several benefits to keeping detained youth near their own community including more regular connection to their family, which improves mental health, closer connections to the program and the community that will provide them support upon their release, and better mental health of the parents and families as they can check on their children. Mail: Polk County Juvenile Detention/Centralized Intake 1548 Hull Avenue Des Moines, IA 50316 Mail is permitted for all juveniles unless otherwise ordered by the court. Adult content is not permitted to be sent to any juvenile facility, and any contraband will be removed. Phones: Phones are available daily, and juveniles can both make and receive calls from their parents or guardians, with those who are in the higher levels will have access to longer phone calls than those who are newly admitted or have broken rules in the facility. Visitation: Visiting hours are Monday to Friday 6-6:30pm or 6:45-7:15pm and Saturday and Sunday 1-1:30pm or 1:45-2:15pm. Approved visitors include parents, guardians, and children of the juvenile.

Phone: 515-286-3344

Physical Address:
1548 Hull Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316-1397

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Juvenile's Name
Polk County Juvenile Detention
1548 Hull Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316-1397

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

To search for an inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, 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 515-286-3344 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's criminal court case and docket schedule online for Polk County and any other county in Iowa.

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center Inmate Search

The Polk County Juvenile Detention Center maintains an average of 33 offenders in custody on any given day. The Polk County Juvenile Detention Center 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 Polk County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 30,660 offenders.

The following charts of Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County Juvenile Detention Center
This regional juvenile detention center is located in Des Moines, Iowa and houses all of the juveniles who are assigned to detention, have been newly arrested and not yet released, or they are being held for their safety or the safety of those around them. The facility ensures the care of each youth is designed to meet their needs, and there are tr4eatmetns offered for both medical and mental health needs. Treatments are provided for substance abuse and anger management or other emotional regulation concerns. Rehabilitation is the focus, rather than punishment, so juveniles are provided with healthy meals, time for exercise and physical education both inside and out, their academic classes follow the local schools, and life skills will be improved. The schedule of the facility remains strict both weekdays and weekends, and following it encourages responsibility and discipline. It houses youth from several surrounding communities to keep the juveniles close to their homes, their families, and their support systems. There are several benefits to keeping detained youth near their own community including more regular connection to their family, which improves mental health, closer connections to the program and the community that will provide them support upon their release, and better mental health of the parents and families as they can check on their children. Mail: Polk County Juvenile Detention/Centralized Intake 1548 Hull Avenue Des Moines, IA 50316 Mail is permitted for all juveniles unless otherwise ordered by the court. Adult content is not permitted to be sent to any juvenile facility, and any contraband will be removed. Phones: Phones are available daily, and juveniles can both make and receive calls from their parents or guardians, with those who are in the higher levels will have access to longer phone calls than those who are newly admitted or have broken rules in the facility. Visitation: Visiting hours are Monday to Friday 6-6:30pm or 6:45-7:15pm and Saturday and Sunday 1-1:30pm or 1:45-2:15pm. Approved visitors include parents, guardians, and children of the juvenile.
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Recent Bookings & Arrests

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, call the jail’s booking line at 515-286-3344.

There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.

Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.

If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Polk County?

After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Polk County for booking.

Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.

What is the booking process like at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Polk County and other Iowa and USA jurisdictions.

If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.

It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.

Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.

What happens after booking?

At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.

If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.

Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.

How long does the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center Booking process take?

Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.

If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.

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Directions / Map to the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center
Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center? What is the Schedule?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 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 Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, and what can I send them?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, and what can I purchase?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center using an Online Messaging Service?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center have Access to Tablets or Computers?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

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Are there photos of the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center? What does it look like?
Other Jails in Polk County

What are the other City and County Jails in Polk County?

Polk County County Jails
Polk County Juvenile Facilities
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Other Jails Nearby

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

Polk Madison Dallas Boone Story Warren Marion Jasper
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Search for an Inmate in Polk County

This facility, known as "Polk County Juvenile Detention Center" is also known as Polk County Juvenile Detention Ctr , Polk County Juvenile Detention Ctr , Iowa, Polk.