Johnson County Jail

Search for an Inmate in Johnson County

Johnson County Jail Information

Located in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, the Johnson County Jail is a 92-bed jail. You can call them 24 hours a day for inmate information at 319-356-6025.

This facility handles the booking and processing of offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies. Inmates remain in custody until they are either bonded out, released on recognizance, or held until their trial is settled.

The inmate search tool provides access to the jail's roster of those in custody.

Individuals sentenced to less than one year will serve their time here. Those sentenced to more than a year are transferred to either the Iowa State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This page offers detailed information on services such as the visitation schedule, inmate account funding, mail, phone calls, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond details, and commissary purchases.

Save the inmate's jail ID or booking number for future communication needs. If it’s not available online, call Johnson County Jail at 319-356-6025 for assistance.

Phone: 319-356-6025

Physical Address:
511 S. Capital Street
Iowa City, IA 52244

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID (booking #)
Johnson County Jail
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, IA 52244

Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID (booking #)
Johnson County Jail
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, IA 52244

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the Johnson County Jail?

To search for an inmate in the Johnson County Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 319-356-6025 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's criminal court case and docket schedule online for Johnson County and any other county in Iowa.

Johnson County Jail Inmate Search

The Johnson County Jail maintains an average of 92 offenders in custody on any given day. The Johnson County Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Johnson County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 1,840 offenders.

The following charts of Johnson County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the Johnson County Corrections Department, the state of Iowa Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Johnson County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Johnson County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

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About the Johnson County Jail

The Johnson County Jail began filling up with inmates in 1981 with a 46-inmate capacity. Not long after, the county started double-bunking inmates for a capacity of 92, and they haven't expanded since then even though for at least the last twenty years they have spent close to $25 million housing inmates in neighboring jails in Henry, Lee, Clinton and Muscatine Counties. It costs over $500,000 a year to house inmates in other jails, not top mention the man hours and transportation moving them back and forth for court and other reasons.

The Johnson County Jail ws built when the Sheriff's Office had about 50 employees, and now that have well over 100, more than double what they had in the 1980s.. and the space is the same size. The Sheriffs of Johnson County have been complaining of leaking pipes and utilities breaking down for over 20 years, requesting a new jail at least three times the size, but to no avail. 

The facility was built when the Sheriff’s Office had about 50 full-time employees. Now, almost 100 full-time employees work out of a space designed for half as many. In addition, the jail is now dealing with an extraordinarily large percentage of inmates with mental health issues and behavior problems, and the design is not ideal to address needs if someone must be held in solitary confinement.

The Johnson County Jail is located at 511 S Capitol Street in Iowa City, IA 52240. It is located in a prime, downtown location that could be used to enhance the development of that area and increase the tax base. A new jail in a more, out of the way location would be an improvement for the city.

You can reach the jail 24 hours a day by calling 319-356-6025, and you can find out information about inmate services and the inmates, including what jail they are being held at, by either phone or the Inmate Jail Roster online. The Roster includes mugshots, criminal charges, bond, case numbers and other information.  You can also review the offender's criminal court case information online.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office in Iowa is responsible for handling all administrative and criminal investigations regarding any alleged harassment or sexual abuse. All arrests made in Johnson County, from both the Sheriff's Office, and the towns and cities in its borders. The Sheriff's Office is responsible for patrolling any unincorporated areas of the county or areas not covered by other police forces.

Mail can be received every day and is processed and passed to the inmates quickly. Friends and family of inmates in the Johnson County Jail can arrange to visit inmates by video, both at the jail and remotely from home. Friends and family can also communicate using an online text/email system, send them money and buy them commissary online, and set up a phone account that allows the inmates to call them during the day and evening seven days a week.

All the information on these inmate services can be found in the sections below.  If you still have questions, you can phone the jail 24 hours a day by calling 319-356-6025.

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

How is booking conducted at Johnson County Jail?

After an arrest, individuals are transported to Johnson County Jail for the booking process. This procedure ensures the person’s identity, assesses charges, and determines if they will be released, eligible for bail, or detained until court.

Remaining silent during this process is vital. Anything said could be used as evidence, so it’s wise to wait for an attorney before speaking about the arrest.

Here’s a breakdown of the booking steps at Johnson County Jail:

  • Verifying identification information.
  • Capturing mugshots for record-keeping.
  • Health assessments and questions about criminal history.
  • Possible DNA collection.
  • Physical search for contraband or weapons.
  • Securing personal belongings.
  • Granting a free phone call.

The booking process varies in duration, taking anywhere from an hour to 48 hours. For questions about an arrestee’s bond, call the facility at 319-356-6025.

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Directions / Map to the Johnson County Jail
Inmate Bail and Bonding

How to post bail for someone arrested in Johnson County

When an individual is arrested and booked at Johnson County Jail in Iowa City, the outcomes include:

1. Release without bail, under the condition they appear for their court date.
2. Remain in custody until the court appearance.
3. Post a bail or bond for release. Contact 319-356-6025 for specific bail amounts.

Bail payments can be made in different ways.

  • Cash, credit, or money order are accepted forms of payment.
  • You can work with a licensed bail bondsman in Johnson County.
  • County real estate property can be used as collateral.

For further information on posting bail in Johnson County, Iowa, visit the Johnson County Jail Bail Information Page.

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Johnson County Jail? What is the Schedule?

Johnson County Jail Inmate Visitation Schedules

511 S. Capital Street
Iowa City, IA 52244
319-356-6025

  • Inmates can have one on-site 20-minute personal visit per day, on their visiting days... so that means three visits per week.
  • You need a valid, government issued photo ID and be at least 18 years of age. 

ON-SITE PERSONAL VISITS

INMATE'S LAST
NAME
DAY TIMES
Names A to L MON 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names A to L WED 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names A to L FRI 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names M to Z TUE 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names M to Z THU 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names M to Z SUN 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM


Johnson County Jail Inmate off-site Remote Video Visitation Schedules

511 S. Capital Street
Iowa City, IA 52244
319-356-6025

OFF-SITE REMOTE VIDEO VISITS

DAY TIMES
MON 8:00AM to 8:00PM
TUE 8:00AM to 8:00PM
WED 8:00AM to 8:00PM
THU 8:00AM to 8:00PM
FRI 8:00AM to 8:00PM
SAT NO VIDEO VISITS
SUN 8:00AM to 8:00PM

Johnson County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for 'At the Jail' Visitation with Inmates.



For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:

  • Register or Log in to your account
  • Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to visit.
  • Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
  • Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

    Video Visitation must be done from a computer using Google Chrome and an updated Adobe Flash player. Before starting this process you must make sure that your Adobe Flash player is fully updated and that you are using Google Chrome. First... Set up Flash, then restart your computer and then go to Google Chrome on your desktop or laptop computer and log on to Inmate Canteen.
    Steps Inmate canteen Visitation:
    1. Go to www.inmatecanteen.com on a computer (not supported on mobile devices i.e. tablets, cell phones, etc)
    2. Log in, select your inmate, and select the Video Visit an Inmate option.
    3. You will be required to fill out a form, submit a driver's license picture and a picture of your face. Once submitted, Johnson County Jail will either approve or deny it.
    4. Once approved you will be all set to video visit!
    NOTES: Make sure you are allowing flash player to run in google chrome by selecting the lock icon to left of the browser. Flash Player needs to be set to “allow”. Then you can refresh the page and it should be good to go. If flash player is being blocked you will not be able to take a picture or see any video during the visitation. When you click on the video visitation link on the website, please visit the Audition Room to test your equipment. To find the Audition Room, please click on 'Video Visit an Inmate' and it will be located on the top of your screen. Here you can test and verify that your webcam and microphone are working. We highly recommend a hard line for video visiting, unstable internet can result in poor visit qualities.

How to Have Remote Video Visits with an Inmate in Johnson County

To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Johnson County Jail inmate, follow the instructions below:

  • Register and create an account with your Johnson County inmate using Inmate Canteen.
  • Inmate Canteen has excellent quality video visits between your home device and a video terminal in the inmate's housing area at Johnson County Jail.
  • You can also send and receive secure messages and use them to make and receive phone calls with your Johnson County inmate.
  • This is a fee based service.

Instructions for Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select Johnson County Jail and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the jail and remotely) in Johnson County, visit our full page guide

NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Johnson County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-356-6025 for further assistance.

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Remote Video Visitation

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Johnson County Jail?

Johnson County Jail Inmate Visitation Schedules

511 S. Capital Street
Iowa City, IA 52244
319-356-6025

  • Inmates can have one on-site 20-minute personal visit per day, on their visiting days... so that means three visits per week.
  • You need a valid, government issued photo ID and be at least 18 years of age. 

ON-SITE PERSONAL VISITS

INMATE'S LAST
NAME
DAY TIMES
Names A to L MON 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names A to L WED 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names A to L FRI 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names M to Z TUE 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names M to Z THU 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM
Names M to Z SUN 1:00-3:00PM
6:00-9:00PM


Johnson County Jail Inmate off-site Remote Video Visitation Schedules

511 S. Capital Street
Iowa City, IA 52244
319-356-6025

OFF-SITE REMOTE VISITS

DAY TIMES
MON 8:00AM to 8:00PM
TUE 8:00AM to 8:00PM
WED 8:00AM to 8:00PM
THU 8:00AM to 8:00PM
FRI 8:00AM to 8:00PM
SAT NO VIDEO VISITS
SUN 8:00AM to 8:00PM

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Johnson County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-356-6025 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Johnson County Jail?

Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:
NOTE: Johnson County Jail may only allow online deposits for local commissary purchasing.

1. Register or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen.
2. Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
3. Select the "Purchase Items" option.
4. Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.

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

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

  • Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
  • Select Iowa, then Johnson County Jail, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
  • Maximum spend is $125.00.
  • NOTE: Johnson County Jail may at times only allow online deposits for your inmate to purchase their own commissary locally. 

For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Johnson County Jail, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Johnson County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Johnson County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-356-6025 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Johnson County Jail?

Inmates in the Johnson County Jail have access to phones from 6:30AM to 10:00PM.

How Do Inmates in Johnson County Jail Make Phone Calls?

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

  • Johnson County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen.
  • Register online, or log in if you already have an account with them. (Note: Chrome works best with this website)
  • Services for Johnson County inmates and their families and friends include Collect Calling, PIN Debits or Purchasing Calling Cards.

Instructions on Purchasing Calling Cards or setting up to receive calls from an inmate:

  • Register or Log in to your account
  • Select Iowa, then Johnson County Jail, then the inmate you wish to purchase a phone card or calling time for.
  • Select the "Purchase Phone Card for an Inmate" option.
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase the phone card for your inmate in Johnson County.

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

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Johnson County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-356-6025 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Johnson County Jail, and what can I send them?

Johnson County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Johnson County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Johnson County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID (booking #)
Johnson County Jail
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, IA 52244



Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID (booking #)
Johnson County Jail
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, IA 52244



Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Johnson County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Johnson County Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID (booking #)
Johnson County Jail
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, IA 52244

Johnson County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Johnson County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The Johnson County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID (booking #)
Johnson County Jail
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, IA 52244



Legal Mail

Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID (booking #)
Johnson County Jail
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, IA 52244



Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Johnson County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Johnson County Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID (booking #)
Johnson County Jail
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, IA 52244

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Johnson County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-356-6025 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Johnson County Jail, and what can I purchase?

Johnson County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Online Commissary Purchases for an Inmate.

NOTE: Johnson County Jail may only allow online deposits for local commissary purchasing.

For best results use google chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:

  • Register or Log in to your account
  • Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
  • Select the "Purchase Items" option
  • Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Johnson County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-356-6025 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Johnson County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Johnson County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-356-6025 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Johnson County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Johnson County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-356-6025 for further assistance.

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Are there photos of the Johnson County Jail? What does it look like?
Other Jails Nearby

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Johnson County?

Johnson Benton Iowa Washington Louisa Muscatine Linn Cedar
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Search for an Inmate in Johnson County

This facility, known as "Johnson County Jail" is also known as Johnson County Jail & Sheriff, Johnson County Jail & Sheriff , Johnson County Jail & Sheriff , Iowa, Johnson.