Hancock County Jail
Hancock County Jail
Hancock County families reach the Forest City jail at 641-585-3632 and the Garner records office at 641-923-2621.
Inmate Services
Phone
641-923-2621Other Jails and Prisons
These Hancock County pages rely on hancockcountyia.gov, the Winnebago County jail page and the Second District listing at iowacourts.gov.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHancock County Jail Inmates: Housed at the Winnebago County Jail, Forest City
Towns in Hancock County: Garner, Britt, Kanawha, Klemme, Goodell, Corwith, Woden and Crystal Lake, plus the unincorporated communities of Hutchins, Hayfield and Miller.
What Hancock County families need first: a person arrested in Garner or Britt is generally booked at the Winnebago County Jail in Forest City, so start with that jail's inmate and visiting pages. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office at 641-585-3632 can confirm where someone is held; call the Sheriff to confirm before you travel.
The Hancock County Jail Division page says Hancock County has a fully functional, state-certified jail in Garner, but since 2018 all of its inmates have been housed at the Winnebago County Jail in Forest City. People are held in Garner only temporarily, for events such as court appearances.
Where to call
- Winnebago County Jail (where Hancock County inmates live): 935 Hwy 69 N., Forest City, IA 50436; jail 641-585-3632, fax 641-585-8811.
- Hancock County Sheriff's Office: 875 State St., Garner, IA 50438; 641-923-2621 (fax 641-923-2460). The Garner front office keeps 8-to-4 weekday hours, while Hancock County patrol and dispatch never close.
- Jail Administrator Kevin Knebel handles inmate records, courtroom security and transports: 641-923-2621 or 641-924-2148.
Sheriff Rob Gerdes's deputies patrol rural Hancock County and, by contract, Klemme, Goodell, Corwith, Woden and Crystal Lake. Garner, Britt and Kanawha have their own police departments.
Visits, mail, phone accounts and commissary money for a Hancock County inmate all go through the Winnebago County Jail; see its Winnebago County jail page.
- Winnebago County Jail: 641-923-2621
- Hancock County Sheriff: 641-923-2621
Booking process details at Hancock County Jail
When someone is arrested, they are taken to Hancock 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 Hancock County Jail typically involves the following steps:
- Identifying the individual.
- Taking a mugshot.
- Health assessments and questions about criminal background.
- DNA collection if applicable.
- Conducting a full-body search.
- Confiscating personal property.
- Allowing a phone call.
For details on posting bond for an arrestee, call the facility at 641-923-2621.
How to post bail for a loved one in Hancock County
Once booked at Hancock County Jail in Garner, 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 641-923-2621.
Several payment methods are available for bail.
- Cash bonds are settled in full at the jail's bonding window or the clerk of court with cash, a cashier's check or a money order, and card payments are often available at a lobby kiosk or through an online bond vendor for a fee; bring the inmate's full name and booking number, and the jail can be reached at 641-923-2621.
- Licensed bail bondsmen in Hancock County can assist with the process.
- Many courts accept land or a house as bond collateral; the owner proves clear title and equity worth at least the bond amount, often double, with a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value, and the court that set bail approves the property.
For more details on the bail process in Hancock County, Iowa, visit the Hancock County Jail Bail Information Page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Hancock County Jail? What is the Schedule?
How to Visit a Hancock County Inmate in Forest City
Garner only holds Hancock County arrestees briefly; the sheriff's Jail Division page says the long-term bed for each of them, since 2018, is in Forest City. Forest City's visiting days, sign-up and conduct rules apply, so start with our Winnebago County Jail visiting page. Sheriff Rob Gerdes's office in Garner, 641-923-2621, can confirm the person was moved to Forest City before you plan the trip.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Hancock County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 641-923-2621 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other City and County Jails in Hancock County?
Hancock County County Jails
Hancock County Juvenile Facilities
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Hancock County?
The Hancock County Jail serves the following cities and towns of Hancock County: Britt, Corwith, Forest City and Garner.