Lee County Jail
Lee County Jail
Montrose jail staff take inmate questions at 319-376-2355, separate from Vandenberg's administrative line.
Inmate Services
Other Jails and Prisons
This Montrose guide draws on the Lee County sheriff's web pages, the Iowa Judicial Branch's Lee North and Lee South listings, and Fort Madison and Keokuk newspaper coverage.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessLee County Jail in Montrose, IA: Inmate Info, Address & Phone
One jail serves both Lee County seats and the towns between them: Fort Madison, Keokuk, Donnellson, West Point, Montrose, Houghton, Franklin and St. Paul, with deputies also covering Wever, Denmark, Argyle, Charleston, Sandusky and the rest of the county's 538 square miles.
Since winning the 2024 election, Sheriff Elliott Vandenberg has overseen the jail inside his Montrose headquarters at 2530 255th Street, between the two county seats. Any Lee County arrest ends with intake here, and detainees stay until bond, a judge's release order or the close of their case. The jail line is 319-376-2355; the sheriff's office is 319-372-1152 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and non-emergency dispatch answers 319-372-1310. Next door, at 2528 255th Street, is the South Iowa Juvenile Detention center, a separate regional facility for youth.
Your first moves after a Lee County arrest: phone 319-376-2355 to confirm custody, the charge and the bond; sign up for VINELink release alerts; and ask the jail which days visits run before driving out, using our Lee County visiting guide.
- Jail (Main): 319-376-2355
- Dispatch: 319-372-1310
- Sheriff: 319-372-1152
Steps involved in booking at Lee County Jail
After an arrest, the individual is brought to Lee County Jail for the booking process. This procedure involves identifying the person, determining charges, and deciding whether they’ll be released on their own recognizance, posted for bail, or held until court.
Remaining silent is highly recommended, as anything said can later be used in court. Wait for legal advice before responding to questions.
The booking process typically involves the following steps at Lee County Jail:
- Identification confirmation.
- Photographs (mugshots).
- Answering questions regarding health and criminal background.
- Potential DNA collection.
- Conducting a physical search.
- Seizing personal property.
- Providing a free phone call.
For details on an offender’s bail or bond, call Lee County Jail at 319-376-2355.
How to pay bail in Lee County for an arrestee
Once an individual is booked at Lee County Jail in Montrose, options for their release include:
1. Release without paying bail, with a commitment to appear in court.
2. Continued detention until their court date.
3. Release upon paying a bail or bond. Call 319-376-2355 for the bail amount.
Bail can be paid through various methods.
- Bring the full cash bond to the jail's bonding window or the clerk of court and pay by cash, cashier's check or money order; many jails also take debit or credit cards for a fee through a lobby kiosk or an online bond vendor, and staff will need the inmate's full name and booking number (jail: 319-376-2355).
- A licensed bail bondsman in Lee County can assist with the process.
- An owner can often pledge land or a home as bond collateral by proving clear title and equity worth at least the bond, frequently double the bond, with a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value; the court that set bail must approve the property before release.
For more details on the bail process in Lee County, Iowa, visit the Lee County Jail Bail Page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Lee County Jail? What is the Schedule?
Lee County Jail Visiting Hours: Getting the Current Schedule
Montrose Visiting Schedule
Montrose staff set visiting days themselves, so phone 319-376-2355 for this week's slot before driving to 2530 255th Street.
Bring a government photo ID, leave bags and phones in the car, and keep children under an adult's supervision the whole visit. Anyone on probation or recently released should ask before coming, because the jail can refuse a visitor.
Visiting an Inmate at the Lee County Jail
In-person visits happen at Montrose on days the jail assigns.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lee County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-376-2355 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Lee County Jail?
Montrose canteen money buys treats, toiletries and paper.
How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Lee County
To deposit money online for an inmate in Lee County Jail follow these steps:
- Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, the deposit service used for inmates at Lee County.
- After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
- Choose Iowa, then choose Lee 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 Lee County Jail, and then input your payment method.
- NOTE: JailATM's support page lists a deposit limit of $300 a week per inmate and says the limit can be different at each facility.
- If you need to phone JailATM customer support, call 877-810-0914.
For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Lee County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Lee County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lee County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-376-2355 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Lee County Jail?
Attorneys arranging a confidential call with a Montrose client should contact the jail directly.
How to Make and Receive Phone Calls and Video Phone Calls from an Inmate in Lee County
To register and sign up for a phone account with CIDNET Inmate Phone Service, follow the instructions below:
- Register and create an account with CIDNET.
- Type in your Email, Time Zone and First & Last Name of your Lee County Jail inmate.
1. Click the Create Account button.
2. Read the Terms of Use, then click Agree.
3. Login to your email and open the CIDNET email.
4. In the email, click the Complete Your Verification link.
5. Choose a Security PIN and a Password.
6. Click the Sign In button. - After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Iowa, then the Lee County Jail, then your inmate's name.
- Once you have completed this, the Lee County Jail will have to give final approval for you to set up a phone account with your inmate.
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding making phone calls with an inmate in Lee County, visit our full page guide.
NOTE: All phone conversations are recorded. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lee County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-376-2355 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Lee County Jail, and what can I send them?
Before mailing anything bulkier than a letter to Montrose, check with the jail.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lee County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-376-2355 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Lee County Jail, and what can I purchase?
Commissary in Montrose comes out of each inmate's jail account.
How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Lee County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Lee County Jail follow these steps:
- Go to JailATM, choose Iowa, then choose Lee 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 Lee County Jail, and then input your payment method.
- NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Lee 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 Lee County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Lee County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Lee County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 319-376-2355 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other City and County Jails in Lee County?
Lee County County Jails
Lee County Juvenile Facilities
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Lee County?
This facility, known as "Lee County Jail" is also known as Lee County Jail , Lee County Jail , Iowa, Lee.