Cerro Gordo County Jail COVID-19 Coronavirus Visitation Policy

Cerro Gordo County Jail

Address:
17262 Lark Ave
Mason City, IA 50401

Phone:

641-421-3004

New Visitation Policies in Cerro Gordo County Jail Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus

Because of concerns for the safety and wellness of both staff and inmates at the Cerro Gordo County Jail in Mason City, Iowa, contact visits of any type may be suspended. Even if they have visits, from time to time, face masks may be required.

Approved Non-contact visits with family, friends and the inmate’s lawyers may still be allowed when at-home or onsite video visitation is not available, however given that new guidelines are changing daily please check the visitation page or call 641-421-3004 for updates.

Video Visitation at Cerro Gordo County Jail

At-home and onsite video visitation guidelines for Cerro Gordo County Jail, when this service is available, can be found by going to the visitation information page.

We highly recommend that you call 641-421-3004 first for any changes due to staff shortages or other unforeseen circumstances, including whether your inmate has become ill and is unable to be in the general population where video kiosks are available.

How Long Will These Changes Last?

Experts in the study of the COVID-19 are anticipating that spread of the virus will be a ongoing concern for Cerro Gordo County, the state of Iowa and the entire United States until well into 2024 and maybe even beyond. We are witnessing the virus becoming more contagious, but less deadly over time. Many people think that the 'more contagious, but less deadly' variants will infect so many people that a higher level of natural immunity for the majority of Americans will be the end result.

Will the Inmates in Cerro Gordo County Jail Be Safe from Getting Sick With COVID-19 Coronavirus?

Whether the inmates are safe from contracting the coronavirus depends entirely on two things:

  1. The Virus being introduced into the facility by a staff member or inmate who is unaware that they have it.
  2. How easily it spreads.

At this stage most people who get the coronavirus show very few symptoms beyond what you might experience with a bad cold or a mild case of the common flu. Newer variants are turning out to be less deadly than the common flu we experience every year.

Studies that have been done are showing that the hardest hit are those 60 years of age and older, those with pre-existing medical issues like diabetes, leukemia or obese individuals. Young men and women rarely become very ill, and when they do, seem to recover quickly.

Given the close proximity of inmates and staff to each other in this lockup, it is going to be very difficult to prevent the spread of COVID-19 once it is introduced into the facility as the virus can spread via the microscopic vapor that we release every time we speak, cough or sneeze.

We will continuously update this page as the virus changes and new policies are instituted.

How Do Inmates in Cerro Gordo County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Cerro Gordo County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

  • Cerro Gordo County Jail uses the services of a company named Inmate Sales.
  • Register with them online or call them at 877-998-5678
  • Agents are available M-F from 8:00 AM - 12:00 midnight EST, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and speak both English & Spanish.
  • Services for Cerro Gordo County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.

iphone app
Google Play app

For all the information regarding phone calls with Cerro Gordo County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Cerro Gordo County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Cerro Gordo County Jail follow these steps:

  • Go to JailATM, choose Iowa, then choose Cerro Gordo County Jail
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate, and then you will be prompted to Register with them to open an account.
  • Select the products you want shipped to them at Cerro Gordo County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Cerro Gordo County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Cerro Gordo County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Cerro Gordo County.


 

How to Schedule and Have a Visit with an Inmate at Cerro Gordo County Jail

To schedule a visit and have an at-the-jail or remote video visit with an inmate in Cerro Gordo County, follow these instructions:

  • Visitation for Cerro Gordo County Jail inmates utilizes the Prodigy Inmate Visitation website for its visitation software.
  • You need to first be approved for a visit with a Cerro Gordo County inmate by submitting your identification.
  • If you should have a question or need assistance, call Prodigy Customer Support at 866-700-4545 ext. 7.
  • Once approved, log in to either the online or Cerro Gordo County Jail terminal to schedule a visit.
  • Use the username and password you set when creating your account.

For all the information you need regarding Cerro Gordo County inmate visitation, whether at the facility or remotely from your home, check out our Visit Inmate Page.


 

How Do Inmates in Cerro Gordo County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Cerro Gordo County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

Inmate phone services for inmates at the Cerro Gordo County Jail are provided by Prodigy Solutions.

Send an Inmate a Deposit Online for them to purchase phone cards, or add money to their account so they can call whoever they want, or be able to call only you.

  • Funds may be added in person directly at the Cerro Gordo County jail from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
  • Persons adding funds to an inmate’s account may use cash or credit cards using the kiosk in the office lobby, or by bringing a money order made out to the inmate’s name.
  • For more information, you can call the Cerro Gordo County Jail from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or call Prodigy Directly at 866-700-4545 ext. 7.

For all the information regarding phone calls with Cerro Gordo County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Cerro Gordo County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Cerro Gordo County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, a service that acts as a bank for inmates in Cerro Gordo County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose Iowa, then choose Cerro Gordo County Jail
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Cerro Gordo County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in Cerro Gordo County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Cerro Gordo County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Cerro Gordo County.