Dallas County Correctional Facility
Dallas County Correctional Facility
Physical Address
28985 Thin Blue Line LaneAdel, IA 50003
Jail Phone Number
515-993-4771Dallas County Jail Inmate Search, Adel, Iowa
To see who is in the Dallas County Correctional Facility, open the sheriff's inmate list or call 515-993-4771.
The Dallas list shows booking photos (mugshots) in a Photo column.
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 in and near Dallas County?
- Dallas County Correctional Facility, 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003; 515-993-4771.
- Polk County Jail, 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313; 515-323-5400.
- Boone County Jail, 1019 West Mamie Eisenhower Avenue, Boone, IA 50036; 515-433-0524.
- Greene County Jail, 1005 E. Lincoln Way, Jefferson, IA 50129; 515-386-2136.
- Guthrie County Jail, 200 North 5th Street, Guthrie Center, IA 50115; 641-747-2214.
- Adair County Jail, 302 E. Iowa Street, Greenfield, IA 50849; 641-743-2148.
- Madison County Jail, 1012 N. John Wayne Drive, Winterset, IA 50273; 515-462-3575.
- Warren County Jail, 115 N. Howard Street, Indianola, IA 50125; 515-690-9220.
2. How do visits, calls and messages work?
One outside provider handles video visits, messages and phone calls in Dallas County. Create an account with it, buy data, and send a request to link with the person; jail staff approve or deny it. Each visit you schedule also needs staff approval. Onsite visits are at the jail, and remote ones can be joined from home. Visits, calls and messages are all recorded. For setup problems, contact the provider's support line through its customer portal. Calls from people inside show up from 888-984-1903. See our phone guide.
↑ Back to the question list3. How should mail to the jail be sent?
Write the person's full name, arrest number and cell number, then P.O. Box 187, Adel, Iowa 50003-0187. Letters and cards are delivered Monday through Friday after staff open them to search for contraband. Mail from anyone who left this jail in the past six months is refused. Never mail cash or personal checks. Paperback books are allowed, but not hardbacks. Our mail page has general tips.
↑ Back to the question list4. How do I add money to a jail account?
You can make deposits online, by phone or at the kiosk at the jail. Have the person's name or ID number ready. The county's two-step account guide explains the setup. See the money guide and our commissary page too.
↑ Back to the question list5. Where do detained youth go?
Youth from Dallas County who must be held are usually placed at the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852. Only teens charged as adults stay in Adel. The juvenile office, 515-993-7095, can tell parents where a child went.
↑ Back to the question list6. What about state prison, federal or ICE custody from this county?
Once sentenced to prison, a person can be found in the Iowa DOC offender search. Federal prisoners appear in the BOP locator, and immigration detainees in the ICE locator. Our bail guide explains release.
↑ Back to the question list7. Does the inmate inquiry show mugshots?
Yes. The in-custody list on the Dallas County inmate inquiry has a Photo column, so booking photos are shown right on the list. The jail answers at 515-993-4771. Media wanting a copy should ask the sheriff's office. A picture from immigration detention can be sought only through ICE's records form, with approval. Federal booking images are kept private unless the U.S. Marshals release them.
↑ Back to the question list8. Is there a phone option for VINE in Dallas County?
Yes. Call Iowa VINE at 888-742-8463; it is open all the time.
↑ Back to the question list9. How do I help someone turn in on a Dallas County warrant?
Have a lawyer call the sheriff's office at 515-993-4771 to confirm the warrant and plan a time. Turning in happens at the Dallas County Correctional Facility on Thin Blue Line Lane outside Adel, where the jail answers at 515-993-4771. You won't find a posted list of names, and no Iowa-wide search exists for Adel families, though Iowa Courts Online lays out the case. If this started with a missed court date, phone the clerk's office at 515-993-7018 first; sometimes a new date settles it.
↑ Back to the question list10. How is bond set and paid?
In Adel, most first bonds follow the statewide uniform bond schedule; for serious charges, Adel's magistrate sets it. Call 515-993-4771 for amounts.
- How to pay at 515-993-4771: cash, surety or Iowa property.
- Guide: our bail guide.
- Hearings: our court guide, or the clerk at 515-993-7018.
11. How do I find the charges?
Iowa Courts Online lists charges and dates by name; Adel's clerk answers at 515-993-7018. Under Iowa Code 815.10 a judge can appoint the State Public Defender; Adel's first appearance follows promptly (Iowa Code 804.22).
↑ Back to the question list12. Is the person in federal custody?
In Adel, federal arrests go to the U.S. Marshals Service; its Des Moines office answers at 515-400-8140. Cases are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa; its clerk is at 111 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-284-6248. After a federal sentence, check the BOP inmate locator. Bond at 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003 cannot lift a federal hold; only 515-284-6248 can.
↑ Back to the question list13. How does an ICE detainer work?
- The Dallas County Correctional Facility receives DHS Form I-247A from ICE.
- Iowa Code chapter 27A makes the jail in Adel honor it, holding someone 48 hours longer at most (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
- After 48 hours without ICE at 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003, the hold ends.
- The ICE detainee locator tracks transfers by A-number or name.
14. When will the person get out?
In Adel, once bond clears at 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003, release usually takes a few hours; 515-993-4771 knows. Prison sentences move people to the Iowa DOC offender search. Another county's hold keeps them; ask 515-993-4771. Federal or ICE holds go via 515-400-8140.
↑ Back to the question list15. What if the name is missing?
In Adel, new bookings can lag; call 515-993-4771. Anyone moved from Adel, or released, may show in the Iowa DOC offender search, or the BOP inmate locator. Juveniles are never listed (Iowa Code 232.147). If unsure, ask 515-993-4771.
↑ Back to the question list16. When does a judge see them?
In Adel, 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 (515-993-7018) has the next date.
↑ Back to the question list17. Can someone get out without paying?
Yes. Adel'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; Adel's clerk (515-993-7018) has the terms.
↑ Back to the question list18. When is cash bail returned?
In Adel, the clerk (515-993-7018) refunds cash bail (801 Court Street, Adel, IA 50003) at case end, to the payer. A 10% bondsman fee is never returned; call 515-993-4771.
↑ Back to the question list19. Which sentences are served locally?
In Adel, misdemeanor terms are served at 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003 (Iowa Code 903.1). Longer terms mean prison; see the Iowa DOC offender search. Work release or weekends in Adel, Iowa, need a judge's OK; 515-993-4771 schedules it.
↑ Back to the question list20. Can a judge bar contact?
In Adel, 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; Adel's clerk (515-993-7018) keeps a copy at 801 Court Street, Adel, IA 50003.
↑ Back to the question list21. How is a free lawyer appointed?
In Adel, a free lawyer depends on income (Iowa Code 815.9). Ask in court on day 1, or call 515-993-7018. The State Public Defender covers most cases in Adel; families may hire private counsel.
↑ Back to the question list22. Is a bail call real?
In Adel, the Dallas County Correctional Facility never takes gift cards or crypto; call 515-993-4771 before paying anyone. Adel's bond goes only to the clerk (515-993-7018) or the jail at 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003. Report scam calls to the Iowa Attorney General.
↑ Back to the question list23. Which police and dispatch phones serve Dallas County?
- Dallas County Sheriff's Office: 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003; 515-993-4771. County dispatch, 24 hours: 515-993-4567.
- Adel Police Department: 102 S. 10th Street, Adel, IA 50003; 515-993-6723.
- Perry Police Department: 908 Willis Avenue, Perry, IA 50220; 515-465-4636 on weekdays. County dispatch takes its calls after hours.
- Waukee Police Department: 815 NW 20th Street, Waukee, IA 50263; 515-978-7979. Westcom handles non-emergency dispatch for Waukee and West Des Moines at 515-222-3321.
- De Soto Police Department: calls go through county dispatch, 515-993-4567.
- Van Meter Police Department, 505 Grant Street: reach it through Dallas County dispatch, 515-993-4567.
- Woodward Police Department: 515-438-2560.
- Iowa State Patrol District 1: 1333 Ohio Street, Des Moines, IA 50314; 515-435-7230.
Dallas County Bail and Bond, Adel, Iowa
Release from the Dallas County Correctional Facility in Adel follows a paid bond, pretrial release or a judge's order, and this guide covers each.
Call 515-993-4771 for bond details. Dallas County is one of Iowa's fastest-growing places, with more than 110,000 people in Waukee, Adel, Perry, Van Meter, Dallas Center, part of West Des Moines and many smaller towns.
People arrested anywhere in the county are taken to the Dallas County Correctional Facility, 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003. Jail staff answer 515-993-4771, and the county's 24-hour non-emergency dispatch line is 515-993-4567.
1. Can I see the charges and bond online?
The sheriff's arrest inquiry lists people booked at the Adel jail, and the Jail Division says it also shows each person's charges and bond. You can also phone 515-993-4771 or stop at the jail window. Free release alerts are available through VINELink. Our inmate search page lists more tools.
↑ Back to the question list2. How soon does a judge set bail?
On a new charge, a magistrate sees the person within about 24 hours, though the exact time is up to the judge. The magistrate reads the charges and, when it fits, names a bond amount. Someone picked up on a district court warrant for failing to appear goes before a judge on the next Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, depending on how serious the crime is.
↑ Back to the question list3. What is Iowa's bond schedule?
Between arrest and that first hearing, the statewide uniform bond schedule applies: - $300 for a simple misdemeanor - $1,000 for a serious misdemeanor - $2,000 for an aggravated misdemeanor - $5,000 for a class D felony - $10,000 for a class C felony - $25,000 for a class B felony
The schedule never covers forcible felonies, domestic abuse, protective order violations or stalking, and it skips first-to-third-degree sexual abuse, Dallas County meth dealing, production or possession to deal, intimidating with a dangerous weapon, or a firearm in a felon's possession. Those wait for the magistrate.
↑ Back to the question list4. What are the ways out of the Adel jail?
The sheriff lists four: 1. Bond, in the amount the magistrate sets. 2. Pretrial release, for someone who cannot post bond. The Fifth District's correctional services department screens the request, and a person who meets its criteria leaves on their promise to come to the next hearing. From July 1, 2026, that promise-only release is limited by Senate File 2399 to nonviolent, non-drug simple or serious misdemeanors, as the answer on the new law below explains. The pretrial office number is 515-993-2136. 3. The end of the case, after the final hearing and sentence. 4. Any other release a court orders.
↑ Back to the question list5. How is bond posted?
The sheriff's office takes a cash bond or a bond written by a bonding company. In Iowa that means an insurance company's licensed agent, since the state has no stand-alone bondsmen. A judge may also accept a pledge of Iowa real estate. Call the jail at 515-993-4771 to ask what form of payment it accepts right now.
↑ Back to the question list6. How does Senate File 2399 affect release?
The 2026 law began July 1, 2026. A promise to appear without money is now limited to people accused of simple or serious misdemeanors where no violence or drug crime is alleged. The Adel judge must now give written reasons for any bail lower than the schedule. The amounts listed above still apply. By July 1, 2027, the Judicial Council must propose inflation updates to the Iowa Supreme Court.
↑ Back to the question list7. Contacting the court and county attorney
The Clerk of District Court is in the Dallas County Courthouse, 801 Court Street, Adel, IA 50003, 515-993-7018. The Dallas County Attorney's Office answers at 515-993-5060. The clerk takes bond deposits and keeps the file, but staff cannot tell you what to do in a case.
↑ Back to the question list8. What if a Dallas County court date is missed?
The judge issues a warrant and can keep the bond. Under Iowa Code 811.6, a bonding company gets 30 days after notice to bring the defendant back or pay the court. A missed date also brings a new charge under 811.2(8). If the original case was a felony, the new count is a class D felony; otherwise it is a serious misdemeanor.
↑ Back to the question list9. Will I get bond money back?
Cash bond is released through the clerk after the case ends, as long as the defendant came to every hearing. A judge can apply part of it to fines, court costs or restitution. A bonding company's fee is not returned. Money still on a jail account is covered in our money guide.
↑ Back to the question list10. Federal cases and immigration holds
Dallas County is part of the Southern District of Iowa, Central Division. The federal courthouse is at 111 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, and the clerk's line is 515-284-6248. County bond plays no role there. A federal magistrate decides release. Iowa Code chapter 27A requires the jail to honor ICE detainers. The ICE locator can show a person who was moved.
↑ Back to the question list11. What about juvenile arrests in Adel, Waukee or Perry?
A youth is not released on the adult bond schedule. Detention placements go to the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852, and Iowa requires a hearing no more than 1 working day after the child is admitted.
↑ Back to the question listRelease Options From the Dallas County Jail
Infante's Jail Division page names four ways out of the Adel facility: bond set by a magistrate, pretrial release, final court appearance and sentencing, or a court order. Release terms follow Iowa Code chapter 811 as applied by the Fifth Judicial District under Chief Judge David M. Porter.
Adel prisoners without bond money can seek pretrial release from Porter's district correctional services department at 515-993-2136; an approved applicant walks out of Thin Blue Line Lane on recognizance after promising to attend the next hearing. Adel bonds may be guaranteed by Iowa-licensed insurance companies or by Iowa landowners pledging property in the state, per Iowa Code 811.3, and since July 1, 2026 (Senate File 2399) a tenth of the bond no longer buys release from Thin Blue Line Lane.
Video Visitation Hours at the Dallas County Correctional Facility
Dallas County Correctional Facility
28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003
515-993-5815
Every Dallas County visit happens on a screen and ends after 20 minutes; the jail's listing has visitors open a CIDNET account, load data and only then claim a slot.
On-Site Video Visitation Schedule at the Dallas County Jail
| Days | Afternoon session | Evening session |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday through Saturday in the Adel lobby | 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
Remote Video Visitation Schedule for Dallas County Inmates
| Days | Morning | Midday and afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every day, from home through CIDNET | 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. | 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
Setup questions go to CIDNET's support portal, as Infante's Inmate Account page instructs, or to the CIDNET help line at 888-984-1903 (prompt 2).
Remote Video Visit Hours for the Dallas County Jail
Daily Remote Visitation Windows at the Dallas County Correctional Facility
- Morning: 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
- Midday and afternoon: 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Evening: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The jail's listing applies this three-window pattern to every day of the week, and each remote booking with an Adel inmate lasts 20 minutes. For the separate afternoon and evening lobby blocks at the jail itself, open the Thin Blue Line Lane video visiting page.
Dallas County District Court, Adel, Iowa
The Dallas County Courthouse sits on the town square at 801 Court Street, Adel, IA 50003.
Its criminal cases belong to Iowa's Fifth Judicial District, the state's largest district, which centers on Polk County and Des Moines.
Simple misdemeanors and city ordinance cases stay with magistrates.
1. Phone numbers for a Dallas County case
- Clerk of District Court: 801 Court Street, Adel, IA 50003; 515-993-7018.
- Dallas County Attorney: 515-993-5060.
- Juvenile Court Office: 121 N. 9th Street, Adel, IA 50003; 515-993-7095.
- Pretrial Release: 515-993-2136.
- Public Defender's Office: 515-725-1825.
- Dallas County Correctional Facility: 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel, IA 50003; 515-993-4771.
2. From arrest to verdict
- Magistrate court: within about a day of a new arrest, a magistrate sets bond and explains the charges.
- Trial information: the county attorney files formal charges in more serious cases.
- Arraignment: the defendant pleads before a district judge.
- Pretrial: motions, evidence and plea offers.
- Trial and sentencing.
Look up any case on Iowa Courts Online.
↑ Back to the question list3. Help with a lawyer
Anyone who cannot pay for a lawyer can say so at the first court date and complete the financial statement. Under the State Public Defender system, a public defender or contract lawyer is assigned to you. The county lists the Public Defender's Office at 515-725-1825. You might be asked to repay part of the cost later. For release questions, see our bail guide.
↑ Back to the question list4. Charges against minors
Juvenile court officers at 121 N. 9th Street in Adel, 515-993-7095, handle complaints against youth under 18. They may resolve a case informally or file a petition. Serious crimes by 16- and 17-year-olds can begin in adult court, and a judge may waive other cases there.
↑ Back to the question list5. Federal court for Dallas County
Federal crimes are tried at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, 111 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, 515-284-6248. Our inmate search page links the federal locators.
↑ Back to the question list6. Where are youths from Adel or Waukee detained?
The Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 2317 Rick Collins Way, Eldora, IA 50627, 641-858-3852 lists the county among those it serves. Iowa sets a detention hearing within 1 working day.
↑ Back to the question list7. Who knows when an Adel hearing is set?
Ask the district scheduling office at 515-561-5819. For files, fees and other clerk work in Dallas County, call 515-993-7018.
↑ Back to the question list8. What should I do about a warrant from the Dallas County court in Adel?
Dallas County is growing fast, and warrants here may come from the sheriff or from city departments like Waukee or West Des Moines. For a county warrant, the sheriff's administrative line is 515-993-4771. Neither the sheriff nor the state offers a public warrant list, and Iowa has nothing statewide that families can search. Iowa Courts Online shows the court case. When a skipped hearing is behind it, the Clerk of District Court at 801 Court Street in Adel (515-993-7018) can say how to request another date.
↑ 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 Dallas County Correctional Facility
Commissary at the Dallas County Correctional Facility
Inmates on Thin Blue Line Lane buy commissary from their JailATM-funded accounts, and relatives can send preset packages through Access Securepak. Infante's jailers (515-993-5815) can explain store days and any weekly cap, and JailATM's three deposit paths are set out in the Adel money guide.
JailATM provides a secure electronic payment portal that allows friends and family members to deposit funds directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust and commissary account. Deposited money provides the financial balance needed for your loved one to purchase personal hygiene items, snacks, over-the-counter medical sundries, and correspondence supplies from the facility commissary.
Important: Facility Deposit Rules and Window Intake Vary
Once a person is booked and moved to a housing unit, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. 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 Deposit Funds
- Obtain the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned facility booking ID number.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ on your computer or mobile device.
- Click Sign In or Register to set up your verified user account using your email address and password.
- Select the state and the detention facility where the inmate is currently housed.
- Search for the inmate using their ID number or legal last name to confirm an exact roster match.
- Enter your desired deposit dollar amount and review the calculated transaction and convenience fees.
- Input your debit or credit card billing details, complete payment authorization, and save your digital receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive funds. Once the electronic transaction clears, the balance posts directly to their jail trust ledger according to facility accounting schedules. The inmate can review their updated balance at a dayroom pod kiosk or on their weekly trust statement and place orders on their regular commissary day.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Trust & Commissary Money Deposits, JailATM provides several other communication, store, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and hygiene bundles sent directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Gift Packs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - 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: JailATM Video Visits
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Dallas County Correctional Facility
The Dallas County Correctional Facility in Adel takes deposits three ways. Each one needs the person's name or inmate ID number.
- Online: First create an account at JailATM. Then pick Iowa and the facility, find the person, enter the amount and pay with a card. The fee shows before you pay.
- By phone: Card deposits can also be made by phone. The facility chooses not to publish the number to use, so call 515-993-4771 to get it.
- Kiosk: A deposit kiosk is at the facility, 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane, Adel.
Medical costs are charged to the person's account. If the account is in the red, a new deposit pays that off first. Do not mail cash or personal checks. The facility chooses not to publish a way to send money by mail, so call 515-993-4771 before you send a money order. The online room-and-board payment is a bill to the jail, not a deposit.
The Dallas County Correctional Facility sits on Thin Blue Line Lane outside Adel, but inmate mail goes to the sheriff's post office box in Adel instead. Address each letter with the inmate's full name, their arrest number and their cell number, each on its own line, above the box number. You can find the arrest number on the county inmate search.
Letters, cards, paperbacks and legal mail:
Inmate's Full Name & Arrest #
Dallas County Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 187
Adel, IA 50003-0187
- Searched first: Staff open all incoming mail and search it for contraband such as money, checks, inappropriate photos, matches, lighters, cigarettes, jewelry and chewing gum. Letters reach inmates on weekdays, Monday to Friday.
- Privileged mail: Letters from an attorney, a judge, the governor, the state citizens' aide office or a lawmaker are opened only in front of the inmate to check for contraband, and they are never read.
- Former inmates: Mail from anyone who was held in the jail in the past six months is not accepted.
- Money: Any money in an envelope counts as contraband. It is taken out and posted to the inmate's account rather than handed over, so don't mail cash or personal checks. Deposits can be made online, by phone or at the kiosk at the jail, with the inmate's name or ID number. See how to send money.
- Books: Paperbacks only, never hardbacks. A book stays with the jail once the inmate leaves.
- What else: Letters and cards are allowed. Anything else needs the jail administrator's okay, and items that aren't approved are stored with the inmate's property or thrown away.
- Return address: Write your full name and mailing address on the envelope.
The county also offers email-style messages through its correspondence service.
CIDNET Phone Calling enables incarcerated individuals to place outbound voice calls from housing-unit wall phones or handheld tablets directly to approved cell phones and landlines. Because jail phone systems cannot accept incoming calls, setting up a CIDNET account and purchasing Data Points ensures outbound calls connect immediately without wireless carrier collect blocks.
Important: Mobile Networks Block Inmate Calls Without Data Points
Wireless cellular carriers automatically block collect calls originating from jail telecommunications systems. While some traditional landline telephone providers may support monthly operator billing, mobile smartphones and VoIP numbers require an active prepaid CIDNET balance, which you can verify with your provider. If you do not register your 10-digit number online and purchase Data Points immediately, your loved one will hear an automated operator recording stating that your phone number cannot accept calls.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Set Up and Fund Voice Calling
- Go to customer.cidnet.net or launch the CIDNET Customer mobile app.
- Register your account using the primary 10-digit telephone number where you want to receive calls.
- Upload your driver's license or state ID for identity verification.
- Select the detention center where the inmate is held and link them to your contact profile.
- Purchase Data Points using a debit or credit card to cover per-minute calling rates.
- Confirm your mobile phone allows calls from automated or unknown correctional numbers and does not send them to spam.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate approaches a pod wall phone or opens the phone app on their tablet, enters their assigned inmate PIN, and dials your 10-digit number. CIDNET's automated system verifies that your account has sufficient Data Points and connects the call once you accept the automated prompt. All non-privileged conversations are recorded and monitored by the facility.
Official Provider: CIDNET Customer Portal | Encartele Corporate
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-984-1903
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by CIDNET
In addition to Phone Calling, CIDNET operates messaging and video visitation services:
- Data Points (Unified Funding): Purchase the central credits used to pay for telephone talk time.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Data Points Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Buy CIDNET Data - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Video Visits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Video Visitation - Inmate Messaging & Digital Mail: Send text messages and digital photo attachments directly to an inmate's terminal.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Messaging Portal
CIDNET Inmate Messaging provides a secure digital messaging and picture-sharing service for families of incarcerated individuals. Powered by CIDNET Data Points, outside contacts can compose electronic letters and upload JPEG photographs directly through the CIDNET web app, delivering correspondence to inmate screens within hours and avoiding paper mail sorting delays.
Important: Postal Mail Transition and Screening Rules Vary
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and physical postal mail policies differ across jurisdictions. While some detention centers accept handwritten envelopes, many facilities contracting with CIDNET have prohibited physical paper mail in favor of electronic mail scanning and direct digital messaging, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase Data Points immediately, your loved one may face lengthy periods without direct written communication from family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Message an Inmate
- Log into your account at customer.cidnet.net or launch the CIDNET app.
- Ensure your identity verification (photo ID and selfie) is approved by the facility.
- Confirm your account has an active Data Point balance; purchase additional points if needed.
- Select Messages from your navigation menu and click on your linked contact.
- Type your message in the text editor and attach clear JPEG photo files if authorized by the facility's media rules.
- Review the estimated Data Point cost for the message length and image attachments.
- Click Send to submit your transmission to the institutional mailroom screening queue.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
All messages and photographs pass through facility screening filters. Once approved, the message arrives in the inmate's inbox on their housing unit kiosk or assigned tablet. The inmate opens the message, views the images, and types a digital response, which draws against available account points.
Official Provider: CIDNET Customer Portal | Encartele Corporate
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-984-1903
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by CIDNET
In addition to Inmate Messaging, CIDNET provides several other communication and visitation options:
- Data Points (Unified Funding): Purchase universal credits that power voice calling, messaging, and video visits.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Data Points Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Buy CIDNET Data - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Video Visits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Video Visitation - Phone PINs & Voice Calling: Fund outbound voice telephone calls so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Phone Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Voice Calling
CIDNET provides secure handheld wireless tablets designed specifically for correctional housing units. Operating over a private, encrypted facility network, these devices allow incarcerated individuals to exchange messages, place voice calls, conduct remote video visits, read approved digital books, access law library materials, and complete rehabilitative courses directly from their cells.
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 or making calls from the tablet requires an active balance of Data Points funded by friends or family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Support Tablet Use
- Confirm that CIDNET handheld tablets are active and deployed at your loved one's specific detention facility.
- Register your verified user account at customer.cidnet.net.
- Complete identity verification by uploading your government photo ID.
- Link the inmate to your profile and purchase a reserve of CIDNET Data Points.
- Notify your loved one that funds are available so they can open the communication apps on their tablet.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using biometric verification or their unique facility PIN. Once logged on, they can browse institutional announcements, access educational materials, or select approved outside contacts to read messages and start calls. When quiet hours begin or tablets require recharging, inmates return devices to designated pod docking carts.
Official Provider: CIDNET Customer Portal | Encartele Corporate
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-984-1903
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by CIDNET
In addition to Inmate Tablet Services, CIDNET provides several core communication channels:
- Data Points (Unified Funding): Purchase the digital currency required to power all tablet communications.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Data Points Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Buy CIDNET Data - Inmate Messaging & Digital Mail: Send text messages and photos directly to an inmate's tablet screen.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Messaging Portal - Remote Video Visitation: Conduct scheduled live video calls directly to their tablet or pod kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Video Visits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Video Visitation
Dallas County Juvenile Facilities
- Jail (Main): 515-993-4771
- Dispatch: 515-993-4567
The Dallas County Correctional Facility serves the following cities and towns of Dallas County: Adel, Dallas Center, Grimes, Perry and Waukee.