• Howard County Jail, 124 South Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136; 563-547-3535.
• Winneshiek County Jail, 400 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101; 563-387-4096.
• Chickasaw County Jail, 116 N. Chestnut, New Hampton, IA 50659; 641-394-3121.
• Mitchell County Jail, 211 S. 6th Street, Osage, IA 50461; 641-732-4740.
• Floyd County Jail, 101 S. Main Street, Suite 501, Charles City, IA 50616; 641-257-6217.
• Fillmore County Jail (Minnesota), 901 Houston Street NW, Preston, MN 55965; 507-765-2846 on weekdays, or 507-765-3874 to reach a jailer.
• Mower County Jail (Minnesota), 201 2nd Avenue NE, Suite 4, Austin, MN 55912; 507-437-9562.

The sheriff lists visiting hours on Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. Call ahead at 563-547-3535 to confirm the person is still housed in Cresco and is allowed visitors that week.

The jail uses an outside phone provider. Family members can buy a prepaid phone card or add credit through it, using the link on the sheriff's page; our inmate phone guide walks through the account setup.

The same provider runs a paid texting device for inmates here. Set it up through the phone link on the sheriff's page, and see our messaging guide for how those accounts usually work.

Use the inmate's full name, then Howard County Jail, 124 South Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136, with your own name and address in the upper corner. Our mail page lists items jails commonly reject.

Check with the jail at 563-547-3535 what it accepts for an inmate's account before mailing anything. Our money guide and commissary page explain the usual options.

Yes. Register in VINE online or at 888-742-8463, and you will get a phone call or email when the individual's custody status changes, including a transfer out of Cresco.

After a prison sentence starts, the person drops off the Cresco jail's books and shows up in the Iowa DOC offender search. For someone in federal prison, search the BOP locator; for someone held by immigration, use the ICE locator.

At North Iowa Juvenile Detention Services, 1440 West Dunkerton Road, Waterloo, IA 50703, 319-291-2455. The jail roster lists only adults.

Nowhere official: Cresco publishes no inmate list. Media may phone 563-547-3535 to ask for a booking photo. ICE handles its own pictures and approves each records request case by case. Photos from federal custody are off the table for the public, unless the U.S. Marshals release one.

Start with the sheriff at the Law Enforcement Center, 124 S. Park Place in Cresco, 563-547-3535, where deputies serve the county's warrants and the jail is staffed around the clock. They don't post names, and Iowa offers no statewide lookup for families, though Iowa Courts Online shows the case. Going to the Howard County Jail with a lawyer is the usual path. After a skipped Cresco hearing, the clerk on North Elm (563-547-9206) can explain rescheduling.

In Cresco, most first bonds follow the statewide uniform bond schedule; for serious charges, Cresco's magistrate sets it. Call 563-547-3535 for amounts.

• How to pay at 563-547-3535: cash, surety or Iowa property.
• Guide: our bail guide.
• Hearings: our court guide, or the clerk at 563-547-9206.

Iowa Courts Online lists charges and dates by name; Cresco's clerk answers at 563-547-9206. Under Iowa Code 815.10 a judge can appoint the State Public Defender; Cresco's first appearance follows promptly (Iowa Code 804.22).

In Cresco, federal arrests go to the U.S. Marshals Service; its Cedar Rapids office answers at 319-362-4411. Cases are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa; its clerk is at 111 7th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, 319-286-2300. After a federal sentence, check the BOP inmate locator. Bond at 124 S. Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136 cannot lift a federal hold; only 319-286-2300 can.

1. The Howard County Jail receives DHS Form I-247A from ICE.
2. Iowa Code chapter 27A makes the jail in Cresco honor it, holding someone 48 hours longer at most (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
3. After 48 hours without ICE at 124 S. Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136, the hold ends.
4. The ICE detainee locator tracks transfers by A-number or name.

In Cresco, once bond clears at 124 S. Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136, release usually takes a few hours; 563-547-3535 knows. Prison sentences move people to the Iowa DOC offender search. Another county's hold keeps them; ask 563-547-3535. Federal or ICE holds go via 319-362-4411.

In Cresco, new bookings can lag; call 563-547-3535. Anyone moved from Cresco, 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 563-547-3535.

In Cresco, 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 (563-547-9206) has the next date.

Yes. Cresco'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; Cresco's clerk (563-547-9206) has the terms.

In Cresco, the clerk (563-547-9206) refunds cash bail (137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136) at case end, to the payer. A 10% bondsman fee is never returned; call 563-547-3535.

In Cresco, misdemeanor terms are served at 124 S. Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136 (Iowa Code 903.1). Longer terms mean prison; see the Iowa DOC offender search. Work release or weekends in Cresco, Iowa, need a judge's OK; 563-547-3535 schedules it.

In Cresco, 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; Cresco's clerk (563-547-9206) keeps a copy at 137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136.

In Cresco, a free lawyer depends on income (Iowa Code 815.9). Ask in court on day 1, or call 563-547-9206. The State Public Defender covers most cases in Cresco; families may hire private counsel.

In Cresco, the Howard County Jail never takes gift cards or crypto; call 563-547-3535 before paying anyone. Cresco's bond goes only to the clerk (563-547-9206) or the jail at 124 S. Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136. Report scam calls to the Iowa Attorney General.

• Howard County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Center, 124 South Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136: 563-547-3535. The sheriff also covers Lime Springs, Chester, Elma, Protivin and Riceville.
• Cresco Police Department, 130 N. Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136: 563-547-2424.
• Iowa State Patrol District 8, 4425 S Washington Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401: 641-424-3625.
• Emergencies: 911.