Located in Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa, the Buchanan County Jail is a 46-bed jail. For inmate information, you can contact them 24 hours a day at 319-334-2017 .
This facility handles the booking and processing of offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies. Depending on their charges, inmates may be held until they are bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or remain in custody until their trial is concluded.
You can use the inmate search tool to view the roster of individuals currently in custody.
Inmates sentenced to less than one year will serve their time at this facility, while those sentenced to longer terms will be transferred to either the Iowa State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page provides details on the visitation schedule, how to fund an inmate's account, send mail, receive phone calls, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bonds, and commissary purchases.
It’s advisable to save the inmate’s jail ID or booking number for communication purposes. If you cannot locate it online, call Buchanan County Jail at 319-334-2017 for help.
Phone: 319-334-2017
Physical Address:
210 5th Ave. NE
Independence, IA 50644
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Buchanan 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 319-334-2017 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's criminal court case and docket schedule online for Buchanan County and any other county in Iowa.
Buchanan County Jail Inmate Search
The Buchanan County Jail maintains an average of 46 offenders in custody on any given day. The Buchanan 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 Buchanan County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 2,000 offenders.
The following charts of Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 46-bed Buchanan County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Buchanan 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 319-334-2017 , 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 Buchanan 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 #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
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 #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
When someone is arrested, they are taken to Buchanan County Jail for booking. This process involves verifying identity, assessing charges, and determining whether the person will be released on bail or detained.
It's crucial to remain silent during this process, as any statements could be used in court. Legal counsel should be consulted before making any comments about the arrest.
The booking process at Buchanan County Jail typically involves the following steps:
Booking times can range from one hour to 48 hours. For details on posting bond for an arrestee, call the facility at 319-334-2017 .
Once booked at Buchanan County Jail in Independence, the individual has several possible outcomes:
1. Release without posting bail, with a commitment to appear in court.
2. Remaining in custody until their court date.
3. Posting bail or bond for release. For the exact amount, call 319-334-2017 .
Several payment methods are available for bail.
For more details on the bail process in Buchanan County, Iowa, visit the Buchanan County Jail Bail Information Page.
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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Buchanan County Jail? What is the Schedule?
210 5th Ave. NE
Independence, IA 50644
319-334-2017
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 319-334-2017 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!
| DAY | TIMES |
| TUESDAY | 1:00PM - 4:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 1:00PM - 4:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 1:00PM - 4:00PM |
Buchanan 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 Buchanan County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-334-2017 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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-334-2017 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Buchanan County Jail?
Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person.
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use a Jail ATM self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Buchanan County Jail uses Jail ATM to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. The company charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.
Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union. Call the Buchanan County Jail first as they may want you to do this online or at the jail kiosk instead.
Make the Money Order out to the inmate's name and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order.
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit with Jail ATM over the Phone by calling 877-810-0914
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #) and full legal name.
To deposit money online for an inmate in Buchanan County Jail follow these steps:
For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Buchanan County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Buchanan County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buchanan County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-334-2017 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Buchanan County Jail?
To set up your Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-334-2017 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Buchanan County Jail, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
For inmates receiving mail in the Buchanan 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 Buchanan County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buchanan County Jail
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
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 Buchanan County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-334-2017 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Buchanan County Jail, and what can I purchase?
Search for JailATM services for Buchanan County Jail.
Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Buchanan County Jail.
Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Buchanan County Jail may not allow all of them. Check on the JailATM website to confirm. Services available through JailATM are subject to change with no notice.
Send Gift Packs
Buchanan County Jail has an agreement with JailATM, which ships predetermined Gift Packs of candy, snacks and hygiene products to the inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow Gift Packs.
These can be ordered by you online and are delivered directly to the inmate.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Buchanan County Jail follow these steps:
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Buchanan County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Buchanan County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Buchanan County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-334-2017 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Buchanan County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Known as the 'Reliance Inmate Wallet', it makes funding jail communication easy.
To set up your Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-334-2017 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the Buchanan 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 Buchanan County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-334-2017 for further assistance.
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What are the other City and County Jails in Buchanan County?
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Buchanan County?
This facility, known as "Buchanan County Jail" is also known as Buchanan County Jail, Iowa, Buchanan.
