• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, Iowa VINE answers at 888-742-8463 day or night. Have the person's full name ready.

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.

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.

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).

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.

1. The Buena Vista County Jail receives DHS Form I-247A from ICE.
2. Iowa Code chapter 27A makes the jail in Storm Lake honor it, holding someone 48 hours longer at most (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
3. After 48 hours without ICE at 411 Expansion Blvd, Storm Lake, IA 50588, the hold ends.
4. The ICE detainee locator tracks transfers by A-number or name.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.