Buena Vista County Jail
Buena Vista County Jail
Physical Address
411 Expansion BlvdStorm Lake, IA 50588
Jail Phone Number
712-732-2452Buena Vista County Jail Inmate Search, Storm Lake, Iowa
No inmate list for the Buena Vista County Jail is online, so call 712-749-2452 to ask who is held.
The Buena Vista sheriff posts no mugshots either.
Bond, warrants, federal and ICE holds, local police, phone calls, deposits and visiting follow.
Read inmate search answers
Read inmate search answers1. Which jails are nearby?
- Buena Vista County Jail, 411 Expansion Blvd, Storm Lake, IA 50588; 712-732-2452.
- Cherokee County Jail, 111 North 5th Street, Cherokee, IA 51012; 712-225-6738.
- Clay County Jail, 3115 W. 4th Street, Spencer, IA 51301; 712-264-4242.
- Ida County Jail, 401 Moorehead Street, Ida Grove, IA 51445; 712-364-3146.
- Palo Alto County Jail, 2002 10th Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536; 712-852-3535.
- Pocahontas County Jail, 22 SE Court Street, Pocahontas, IA 50574; 712-335-5071. It also holds Calhoun County's inmates.
- Sac County Jail, 100 NW State Street, Sac City, IA 50583; 712-662-7127.
2. How are visits set up?
All visits are by video and need an appointment. Sessions run weekdays 8 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., not on holidays. You must be on the inmate's list. Call 712-732-2452 at least 24 hours ahead (up to a week out). Arrive five minutes early with a government photo ID that shows your date of birth. Visits last up to 20 minutes a day.
↑ Back to the question list3. Can I call or text someone inside?
Incoming calls are not taken. Inmates call out collect or with a phone card sold at the jail, and you can buy cards or fund a texting account through the jail's phone provider at 800-896-3201. Voicemail for an inmate can be left at 712-634-0580. See our phone guide and messaging guide.
↑ Back to the question list4. Where do letters go?
Write the inmate's name, then Buena Vista County Jail, Box 276, Storm Lake, IA 50588-0276, with your return address on the envelope or it is refused. No packages, books, magazines, bulk mail or food. The jail also accepts one email a day per inmate, 20 lines, no photos, with the inmate's full name in the subject; details on our mail page.
↑ Back to the question list5. How do I add money?
The sheriff's lobby kiosk is open 24 hours a day, or deposit online using agency BUENA VISTA COUNTY, IA and facility code SLB. Deposits first cover medical and other jail debts. Our money guide and commissary page explain more.
↑ Back to the question list6. Are home detention or work release offered?
Only when a court orders it and the sheriff approves. In-home detention costs $15 a day plus a $100 setup fee; work release is $55 a day plus $20, or $75 a day for out-of-county inmates.
↑ Back to the question list7. Where are juveniles held?
Usually at the Northwest Iowa YES Center, 1231 W. Cedar Loop, Suite 110, Cherokee, IA 51012, 712-225-5777; the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852, also lists Buena Vista County. Juvenile Court Services is at 712-749-2564.
↑ Back to the question list8. Where can I search after a transfer?
Use the Iowa DOC offender search for state prison, the BOP locator for federal prison and the ICE locator for immigration custody. For court dates, see our bail guide.
↑ Back to the question list9. Can I view a mugshot?
No. The roster the sheriff's jail page links was dead on October 26, 2026, so no photos can be viewed. Reporters may request a nonpublic picture from the sheriff's office at 712-732-2452. ICE images need an approved ICE records request. Federal booking photos stay private unless the U.S. Marshals release one.
↑ Back to the question list10. Is the name on the roster always right?
Not always. Buena Vista lists each person by the name used at booking; that may not be who they really are. Check other details before you rely on it, or call the jail at 712-732-2452.
↑ Back to the question list11. Can I call VINE about an inmate?
Yes, Iowa VINE answers at 888-742-8463 day or night. Have the person's full name ready.
↑ Back to the question list12. What's the best way to handle a Buena Vista County warrant?
Phone the sheriff at 411 Expansion Blvd in Storm Lake, 712-749-2452. The deputies there serve county warrants, and Storm Lake police may hold their own. There's no public list to search and no statewide warrant lookup in Iowa, but Iowa Courts Online shows the court case. Going to the Buena Vista County Jail with a lawyer is usually the calmest way to clear it. For a missed hearing, the clerk's office on East 5th Street (712-749-2546) can explain what comes next.
↑ Back to the question list13. How is bond set and paid?
In Storm Lake, most first bonds follow the statewide uniform bond schedule; for serious charges, Storm Lake's magistrate sets it. Call 712-749-2452 for amounts.
- How to pay at 712-749-2452: cash, surety or Iowa property.
- Guide: our bail guide.
- Hearings: our court guide, or the clerk at 712-749-2546.
14. How do I find the charges?
Iowa Courts Online lists charges and dates by name; Storm Lake's clerk answers at 712-749-2546. Under Iowa Code 815.10 a judge can appoint the State Public Defender; Storm Lake's first appearance follows promptly (Iowa Code 804.22).
↑ Back to the question list15. Is the person in federal custody?
In Storm Lake, federal arrests go to the U.S. Marshals Service; its Sioux City office answers at 712-252-3077. Cases are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa; its clerk is at 320 6th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, 712-233-3900. After a federal sentence, check the BOP inmate locator. Bond at 411 Expansion Blvd, Storm Lake, IA 50588 cannot lift a federal hold; only 712-233-3900 can.
↑ Back to the question list16. How does an ICE detainer work?
- The Buena Vista County Jail receives DHS Form I-247A from ICE.
- Iowa Code chapter 27A makes the jail in Storm Lake honor it, holding someone 48 hours longer at most (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
- After 48 hours without ICE at 411 Expansion Blvd, Storm Lake, IA 50588, the hold ends.
- The ICE detainee locator tracks transfers by A-number or name.
17. When will the person get out?
In Storm Lake, once bond clears at 411 Expansion Blvd, Storm Lake, IA 50588, release usually takes a few hours; 712-749-2452 knows. Prison sentences move people to the Iowa DOC offender search. Another county's hold keeps them; ask 712-749-2452. Federal or ICE holds go via 712-252-3077.
↑ Back to the question list18. When does a judge see them?
In Storm Lake, a magistrate reviews the arrest within 24 hours (Iowa Code 804.22). Bond can be changed later (Iowa Code 811.2). If money is short, the State Public Defender may be appointed. The clerk (712-749-2546) has the next date.
↑ Back to the question list19. Can someone get out without paying?
Yes. Storm Lake's judges may release on a promise (Iowa Code 811.2), or with conditions, sometimes supervised by the Department of Correctional Services. Skipping court means forfeiture (Iowa Code 811.6) and a warrant; Storm Lake's clerk (712-749-2546) has the terms.
↑ Back to the question list20. When is cash bail returned?
In Storm Lake, the clerk (712-749-2546) refunds cash bail (215 East 5th Street, P.O. Box 1186, Storm Lake, IA 50588) at case end, to the payer. A 10% bondsman fee is never returned; call 712-749-2452.
↑ Back to the question list21. Can a judge bar contact?
In Storm Lake, judges can bar contact at hearings (Iowa Code 664A.3). Breaking it is a new crime (Iowa Code 664A.7). Only judges can change it; Storm Lake's clerk (712-749-2546) keeps a copy at 215 East 5th Street, P.O. Box 1186, Storm Lake, IA 50588.
↑ Back to the question list22. How is a free lawyer appointed?
In Storm Lake, a free lawyer depends on income (Iowa Code 815.9). Ask in court on day 1, or call 712-749-2546. The State Public Defender covers most cases in Storm Lake; families may hire private counsel.
↑ Back to the question list23. Is a bail call real?
In Storm Lake, the Buena Vista County Jail never takes gift cards or crypto; call 712-749-2452 before paying anyone. Storm Lake's bond goes only to the clerk (712-749-2546) or the jail at 411 Expansion Blvd, Storm Lake, IA 50588. Report scam calls to the Iowa Attorney General.
↑ Back to the question list24. Which agencies make arrests here?
- Storm Lake Police Department: 401 E. Milwaukee Ave., Storm Lake, IA 50588; 712-732-8010.
- Sheriff and 911 center: 411 Expansion Blvd; non-emergency 712-749-2525.
- Iowa State Patrol District 5, Cherokee.
Buena Vista County Bail and Bond, Storm Lake, Iowa
Bail money, a surety bond or a judge's release order is what opens the door at the Buena Vista County Jail in Storm Lake.
Check the current bond amount by calling 712-749-2452. Storm Lake, the seat, wraps around the lake that gives it its name, and about 20,449 people live across Buena Vista County in towns like Alta, Newell, Sioux Rapids, Albert City and Marathon.
Anyone booked here is held at the county jail, 411 Expansion Blvd, Storm Lake, IA 50588. The jail desk is 712-732-2452; the sheriff's main office is 712-749-2530.
1. Is there a way to confirm a Storm Lake booking?
Phone the jail at 712-732-2452. The sheriff's jail page links a roster, but as of October 2026 that roster site was not loading, so a call or VINELink is the surer check. Our inmate search page lists other places to look.
↑ Back to the question list2. What does the bond schedule say?
Until a judge rules, Iowa's uniform bond schedule applies. Amounts run from $300 on a simple misdemeanor up through $1,000 (serious), $2,000 (aggravated), $5,000 (class D felony) and $10,000 (class C) to $25,000 for a class B felony, with each charge counted separately.
↑ Back to the question list3. Why might there be no amount yet?
Forcible felonies, domestic abuse assault and a few other charges are not on the schedule. Those wait for a Third Judicial District magistrate, who sets release terms at the first appearance while the person stays on Expansion Boulevard.
↑ Back to the question list4. Which forms of bond are accepted?
- Full cash for the whole amount.
- A licensed bondsman, who keeps a nonrefundable fee.
- Iowa property, with court approval.
Call the jail before going so you know what payment it takes that day. Hang up on anyone who phones offering release for a fee.
↑ Back to the question list5. Did a 2026 law change release?
Senate File 2399 took effect July 1, 2026, and it narrowed own-recognizance release to simple or serious misdemeanor charges that involve neither drugs nor violence. A judge setting bond below the schedule must give written reasons, and the schedule itself is due for an inflation review by July 1, 2027.
↑ Back to the question list6. Where is the clerk of court?
The Clerk of District Court is at 215 East 5th Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588; mail goes to P.O. Box 1186. Phone 712-749-2546 or email CountyClerk.BuenaVista@iowacourts.gov.
↑ Back to the question list7. What follows a missed court date?
Expect a warrant and a move to keep the bond. A bondsman is notified and has 30 days to respond under Iowa Code 811.6. The County Attorney's office, 712-732-1933, can also charge failure to appear.
↑ Back to the question list8. When is bond money returned?
If the defendant attended every date, the clerk refunds cash bond to the depositor at the end, minus whatever fines, costs or restitution are ordered. Jail account money is a separate matter covered in our money guide.
↑ Back to the question list9. Does a federal or immigration hold change anything?
A federal charge from Buena Vista County is filed in Sioux City with the Western Division of Iowa's northern federal court, 320 6th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, 712-233-3900. Posting county bond does nothing for that case. Because chapter 27A of the Iowa Code requires the jail to keep anyone ICE has flagged, state release can end with a transfer to immigration agents. See the ICE locator.
↑ Back to the question list10. Does the bond schedule apply to teenagers?
No. A Storm Lake youth who is detained goes to the Northwest Iowa YES Center, 1231 West Cedar Loop, Suite 110, Cherokee, IA 51012, 712-225-5777; the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852 also names this county among those it serves. Release is decided at a detention hearing held within 1 working day.
↑ Back to the question listBail for a Buena Vista County Inmate
Storm Lake bail practice rests on Iowa Code chapter 811. Third District magistrates and judges set the dollar figure and any conditions, and Expansion Boulevard staff at 712-732-2452 can read back what was ordered for a given inmate. The county's clerk of court keeps an office at 215 East 5th Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588, takes mail at P.O. Box 1186 and answers 712-749-2546.
Bail may be posted in cash or through a surety. Section 811.3 accepts as surety either an insurance company admitted in Iowa or a resident who puts up Iowa real estate or other in-state property, because commercial bondsmen hold no license anywhere in Iowa. Senate File 2399 scrapped the ten-percent cash deposit shortcut for every Iowa court as of July 1, 2026.
Buena Vista County Jail Video Visiting Hours
The sheriff holds all visitation over video conferencing, by appointment only, in two daily windows. Holidays, weekends and posted exceptions have no visiting.
| Days | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays (Monday to Friday) | 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. | 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. |
Booking a session
- Be on the inmate's visitation list.
- Phone Expansion Boulevard at 712-732-2452; the earliest slot you can claim is one day out, the latest seven days out.
- Give staff your personal information, request a date and time, and get a confirmation.
- Arrive 5 minutes early with a government-issued photo ID showing your date of birth; late arrivals may lose the visit.
Limits
- Elston's policy caps each inmate's screen time with visitors at twenty minutes in any one day.
- One visit per week, with no more than 2 guests per inmate.
- Dress professionally in non-revealing clothing.
- Visitation policies are posted at the jail and in the visitation area.
Attorneys, clergy and law enforcement officers with a professional need to see an inmate in person arrange it directly with the jail.
Video Session Rates
Reliance shows the price of a Buena Vista County video session on its facility listing. Contact Reliance at 1-800-896-3201 about a charge you dispute.
Buena Vista County District Court, Storm Lake, Iowa
Storm Lake's courthouse is where the district court takes up Buena Vista County criminal cases, at 215 East 5th Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588.
The Clerk of District Court answers questions about filings and hearing dates at 712-749-2546. In Buena Vista County, district court sits in Storm Lake as part of Iowa's Third Judicial District.
The clerk works from 215 East 5th Street (P.O. Box 1186), Storm Lake, IA 50588, at 712-749-2546, a few blocks from the County Attorney's office on Geneseo Street.
1. Who are the people to call?
- Clerk of District Court: 215 East 5th Street, P.O. Box 1186, Storm Lake, IA 50588; 712-749-2546; CountyClerk.BuenaVista@iowacourts.gov.
- County Attorney: 606 Geneseo Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588; 712-732-1933.
- Sheriff: 411 Expansion Blvd, P.O. Box 276, Storm Lake, IA 50588; 712-732-2452.
- Jail: same building; 712-732-2452.
- Juvenile Court Services: East 5th Street, Storm Lake; 712-749-2564.
2. What is the path of a Storm Lake case?
Release terms come first, from a magistrate, usually within a day of booking. Felony charges then need a trial information or indictment, followed by arraignment, pretrial conferences and either a plea or trial before a district judge. Simple misdemeanors and city tickets stay with a magistrate. Dockets are on Iowa Courts Online.
↑ Back to the question list3. Can I get a court-appointed attorney?
Tell the magistrate you want a lawyer and complete the sworn statement of income. When the court approves it, the court assigns a state public defender or a contract attorney, and the clerk can tell you who was named. For release questions see our bail guide.
↑ Back to the question list4. What about cases involving minors?
Juvenile Court Services handles them from East 5th Street, 712-749-2564. A youth who must be held usually goes to the Northwest Iowa YES Center in Cherokee, not the adult jail.
↑ Back to the question list5. Where do federal cases go?
Sioux City handles them: the federal Western Division clerk is at 320 6th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, 712-233-3900. The inmate search page links the BOP and ICE locators.
↑ Back to the question list6. Is there a second detention option for youth?
Yes. The Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852 also lists this county, so a Storm Lake child could be detained there; the detention hearing then follows within 1 working day.
↑ Back to the question list7. Can I send court papers by fax in Storm Lake?
Yes, the Buena Vista clerk's fax is 712-749-2700. Call the office first at 712-749-2546 if you are unsure what to send. Hearing dates are set by the district at 712-279-6608.
↑ Back to the question list8. Can I find out about a Buena Vista County warrant from the court?
Warrants out of the Storm Lake courthouse are served by Buena Vista County sheriff's deputies, at 712-749-2452. Storm Lake deputies don't publish warrant names; Iowa has no public statewide search; court cases show on Iowa Courts Online. When a missed Storm Lake court date is the cause, call the Clerk of District Court at 712-749-2546; the office is at 215 East 5th Street in Storm Lake.
↑ Back to the question list
Access Securepak is an authorized correctional commissary care-package program that allows families to purchase customized food, snack, hygiene, apparel, and electronics packages sent directly to an incarcerated loved one. Every package is custom-packed to meet the strict security regulations of the specific jail or state prison.
Important: Delivery Schedules and Package Quotas
Jail package guidelines are not uniform across detention centers. Some facilities permit orders year-round, while others restrict deliveries to quarterly cycles or strict weekly deadlines that you should confirm with the facility directly. If you delay setting up your account, you risk missing the upcoming delivery cutoff, leaving your loved one waiting an extra cycle for fresh food, warm thermals, or personal toiletries.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Access Service
- Visit the official Access Securepak online store at www.accesscatalog.com.
- Select the state and the specific jail or correctional institution from the dropdown menu.
- Enter the inmate's legal last name and inmate ID to verify their active housing and package eligibility.
- Browse the catalog of approved meats, cheeses, ramen soups, cookies, toiletries, and clothing.
- Add items to your cart up to the facility's maximum weight or dollar limit (usually $50 to $125 per order).
- Check out using your debit or credit card and save the order confirmation tracking number.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need to order anything themselves. Securepak ships the sealed package directly to the correctional facility's commissary warehouse. Jail staff inspect the box and deliver it to the inmate during regular pod commissary distribution, where the inmate signs for the package.
Official Provider: Access Corrections / Keefe Group Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-546-6283
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM EST; Saturday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Access Corrections / Keefe Group
In addition to Access Securepak (Commissary & Gift Packages), Access Corrections / Keefe Group provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services at participating correctional facilities:
- Inmate Trust Money Deposits: Send cash directly to their personal account so they can buy items independently.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Money Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Access Corrections / Keefe Group Inmate Trust Money Deposits - Digital Messaging & Photos: Send fast electronic letters and digital pictures to their tablet.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging & Photos Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Access Corrections / Keefe Group Digital Messaging & Photos
Buy Commissary for an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail
Commissary at the Buena Vista County Jail
The sheriff's Jail page sends families who want to buy commissary to My Care Pack, a gift-package site that links to Access Securepak's catalog. Any spending cap and the delivery days on Expansion Boulevard are set by jail administrators, reachable at 712-732-2452. Deposits for the inmate's own purchases are covered on the Inmate Money page.
Access Secure Deposits (Smart Deposit) allows families and friends to securely transfer money directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust account using a debit or credit card. Deposited funds become immediately available for your loved one to purchase essential hygiene goods, over-the-counter medication, food items, and writing materials from the facility commissary.
Important: Inmate Banking Policies Vary by Facility
Once a person is booked and moved to a cell, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Access Service
- Obtain the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and official six- to ten-digit Booking or Inmate ID number.
- Visit the official Access Corrections portal at www.accesscorrections.com or download the Access Corrections mobile app.
- Select the state and the exact detention facility or county jail where the inmate is currently housed.
- Add the inmate as a contact and confirm their identity from the facility roster.
- Enter your debit or credit card billing information, choose your deposit amount, review the facility processing fee, and submit your payment.
- Save and print your transaction confirmation number for verification.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need internet access to receive your deposit. Once approved, the funds post directly to their facility account balance. The inmate can verify their balance at the dayroom kiosk or on their trust statement and start ordering items on the next designated commissary day.
Official Provider: Access Corrections / Keefe Group Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-866-345-1884
Support Hours: 24/7/365
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Access Corrections / Keefe Group
In addition to Access Secure Deposits (Trust Money), Access Corrections / Keefe Group provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services at participating correctional facilities:
- Digital Messaging & Photos: Send digital letters and pictures straight to the inmate's kiosk or tablet.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging & Photos Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Access Corrections / Keefe Group Digital Messaging & Photos - Commissary Care Packages: Order pre-approved food boxes, thermal clothes, and snack bundles directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Care Packages Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Access Corrections / Keefe Group Commissary Care Packages
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Buena Vista County Jail
The Buena Vista County Jail in Storm Lake takes deposits for people held there through Access Corrections. New deposits pay off any medical debt first, and the money can also cover medicine, doctor visits and other fees.
- Online: Create an account at Access Corrections. Pick the agency "BUENA VISTA COUNTY, IA" and facility code SLB, then find the person by inmate ID or name.
- By phone: Access Corrections takes deposits at 866-345-1884.
- Lobby kiosk: A deposit kiosk sits in the Sheriff's front lobby at 411 Expansion Blvd. The jail chooses not to publish which bills or cards it takes.
- Money order: The jail chooses not to publish whether it accepts money orders or who they should be made out to. The only way to find out is to call the facility at 712-732-2452.
Don't send cash, coins or a personal check to the jail's post office box.
The Buena Vista County Jail on Expansion Boulevard in Storm Lake gets its mail at a post office box, not at the building. The Buena Vista County Sheriff's Office takes ordinary paper letters but turns away a long list of other items. You can see who is being held on the current jail roster.
Letters and legal mail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Buena Vista County Jail
PO Box 276
Storm Lake, IA 50588-0276
- Sender's address: Mark your return address on the outside. The jail will not accept an envelope without one.
- Refused at the jail: Packages, books, magazines, bulk mailings and food.
- Care packages: These can only be ordered through the jail's commissary service.
- Email to the jail: Short messages sent to Jail@bvsheriff.com are handled the same as a mailed letter. Put the inmate's full name in the subject line and your full address in the message, keep it to 20 lines, and leave off photos and attachments. Only one email a day is delivered, and inmates can't answer by email.
- Money: Paper money and personal checks can't come by mail. Make a deposit with the inmate's ID number or name at the lobby kiosk or online. Money on an inmate's account can also go toward medicine, doctor visits and jail fees.
Reliance Telephone provides telecommunications systems, inmate texting devices, and prepaid calling accounts for county jails across the upper Midwest. Opening a Reliance account allows families to purchase talk time or fund SMS text messaging credits so incarcerated individuals can maintain regular contact from housing unit kiosks and wireless devices.
Important: Mobile Calling Blocks and Messaging Approvals Vary
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and wireless providers automatically block collect calls from jail systems. While some facilities provide direct text messaging units, device availability and call permissions vary depending on facility housing rules, which you can confirm with the facility directly. If you do not register online and fund your account in advance, your loved one will not be able to connect calls or send text updates to your phone.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund Reliance Services
- Visit www.reliancetelephone.com or call 1-800-896-3201.
- Select Create Account and register your 10-digit telephone number and email address.
- Choose your state and the detention facility where the inmate is housed.
- Link the inmate using their full legal name or facility booking ID.
- Select whether to purchase a Phone Card, fund an Inmate Texting Account, or set up Prepaid Collect Calling.
- Enter your debit or credit card billing details, complete payment, and save your receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate dials your number from a dayroom wall phone or accesses their texting device using their PIN. The system verifies that calling or messaging units are funded and allows the conversation to proceed. All non-privileged communications are subject to recording and monitoring.
Official Provider: Reliance Telephone Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-896-3201
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Reliance Telephone
In addition to Prepaid Calling Accounts, Reliance offers texting and voice mail features at participating facilities:
- Inmate Texting & Messaging: Send two-way digital text messages to dedicated inmate handheld devices.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Texting Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Reliance Texting Services
Reliance Telephone provides telecommunications systems, inmate texting devices, and prepaid calling accounts for county jails across the upper Midwest. Opening a Reliance account allows families to purchase talk time or fund SMS text messaging credits so incarcerated individuals can maintain regular contact from housing unit kiosks and wireless devices.
Important: Mobile Calling Blocks and Messaging Approvals Vary
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and wireless providers automatically block collect calls from jail systems. While some facilities provide direct text messaging units, device availability and call permissions vary depending on facility housing rules, which you can confirm with the facility directly. If you do not register online and fund your account in advance, your loved one will not be able to connect calls or send text updates to your phone.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund Reliance Services
- Visit www.reliancetelephone.com or call 1-800-896-3201.
- Select Create Account and register your 10-digit telephone number and email address.
- Choose your state and the detention facility where the inmate is housed.
- Link the inmate using their full legal name or facility booking ID.
- Select whether to purchase a Phone Card, fund an Inmate Texting Account, or set up Prepaid Collect Calling.
- Enter your debit or credit card billing details, complete payment, and save your receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate dials your number from a dayroom wall phone or accesses their texting device using their PIN. The system verifies that calling or messaging units are funded and allows the conversation to proceed. All non-privileged communications are subject to recording and monitoring.
Official Provider: Reliance Telephone Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-896-3201
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Reliance Telephone
In addition to Prepaid Calling Accounts, Reliance offers texting and voice mail features at participating facilities:
- Inmate Texting & Messaging: Send two-way digital text messages to dedicated inmate handheld devices.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Texting Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Reliance Texting Services
Reliance Telephone provides secure, corrections-grade handheld tablets designed for county jails and regional detention centers across the upper Midwest. Through these portable units, incarcerated individuals can exchange text messages with family, place voice phone calls, conduct scheduled video visits, stream approved entertainment, read eBooks, and access self-help materials directly from their living areas.
Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary
Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages, listening to music, or making phone calls from the tablet requires an active balance funded by outside contacts.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Fund Reliance Tablet Services
- Verify that Reliance Telephone handheld tablets are active at your loved one's specific detention facility.
- Navigate to www.reliancetelephone.com on your computer or mobile device.
- Sign into your verified user profile or select Create Account using your primary 10-digit telephone number.
- Select your state, detention center, and link the inmate using their full legal name or facility booking ID.
- Select Inmate Texting / Media Funds or Inmate Wallet to add funds to their available balance.
- Specify your deposit dollar amount, review convenience fees, and enter your credit or debit card billing details.
- Submit payment, save your confirmation receipt, and notify your loved one that their device balance is ready for use.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using their facility PIN. Their active wallet balance appears on the home screen, allowing them to download songs, read digital books, write messages, and communicate with approved family members. Devices are returned to charging racks during facility count times and for overnight storage.
Official Provider: Reliance Telephone Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-896-3201
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Reliance Telephone
In addition to Tablet Services, Reliance Telephone provides calling, messaging, and visitation channels:
- Prepaid Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Prepaid Calling Accounts Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Reliance Phone Services - Inmate Texting & Messaging: Send two-way digital text messages to dedicated inmate handheld devices.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Texting Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Reliance Texting Services - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Reliance Video Visits
Buena Vista County Juvenile Facilities
- Jail (Main): 712-732-2452
- Dispatch: 712-749-2525
- Sheriff: 712-749-2530
The Buena Vista County Jail serves the following cities and towns of Buena Vista County: Alta, Newell and Storm Lake.