The O’Brien County Jail is a 42 bed jail in the city of Primghar, O'Brien County, Iowa. You can call them 24 hours a day for inmate information at 712-957-5245.
Offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in this county are brought here for booking and processing, and if their crime requires it, are incarcerated until they are either bonded out, are released from custody on their own recognizance, or are ordered to remain in custody until the disposition of their trial.
You can also use the inmate search tool to see this facility's roster of those who have been arrested and are still in custody.
Those who are found guilty and sentenced to a term of less than one year, will do their time in this county. Those sentenced to longer terms will be sent to either the Iowa State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 712-957-5245, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
It's always a good idea to find out and save the inmate's jail ID number or booking number as you may need this for sending mail or other communication needs. If you can't locate it online, you can call the O’Brien County Jail at 712-957-5245 to get it.
Phone: 712-957-5245
Physical Address:
240 1st Street N.E.
Primghar, IA 51245
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
O'Brien County Jail
240 1st Street NE
PO Box 260
Primghar, IA 51245-0260
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
O'Brien County Jail
240 1st Street NE
PO Box 260
Primghar, IA 51245-0260
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the O’Brien 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 712-957-5245 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's criminal court case and docket schedule online for O'Brien County and any other county in Iowa.
O’Brien County Jail Inmate Search
The O’Brien County Jail maintains an average of 42 offenders in custody on any given day. The O’Brien 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 O'Brien County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 1,140 offenders.
The following charts of O'Brien 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 O'Brien 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 O'Brien 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 O'Brien 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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The 42-bed O’Brien County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in O'Brien County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.
It serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, Police Departments from Hartley, Sheldon, Sanborn, Paullina, and Sutherland and the State Patrol. The Jail is also able to hold detainees from surrounding counties, State of Iowa and Federal Inmates.
The two story concrete O’Brien County Jail sits right behind and attached to the O'Brien County Law Enforcement Center, which is where both the county sheriff and the 911 Call Center resides. The building is located on 1st Street NE and N. Hayes Ave, right next to the American Reformed Church in Primghar, Iowa.
If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 712-957-5245, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.
Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.
Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.
The O’Brien County Jail also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.
Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.
Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.
Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
O'Brien County Jail
240 1st Street NE
PO Box 260
Primghar, IA 51245-0260
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
O'Brien County Jail
240 1st Street NE
PO Box 260
Primghar, IA 51245-0260
To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the O’Brien County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 712-957-5245.
There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.
Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.
If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.
O’Brien County Jail Booking Roster
After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in O'Brien County for booking.
Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.
Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in O'Brien County and other Iowa and USA jurisdictions.
If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.
It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.
The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.
During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.
Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.
At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.
If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the O’Brien County Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.
Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.
Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.
If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.
Yes, O'Brien County recognizes most types of bonds. Bail is a Constitutional right. This means most defendants can qualify for pre-trial release on their own recognizance, cash bail, or a surety bond.
Iowa recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Defendants can qualify for pre-trial release on their own recognizance, cash bail, or a surety bond.
Bail for less serious, nonviolent crimes are set according to a predetermined bail schedule and can range from $300-$25,000. For more serious & violent crimes, or when the defendant does not qualify for immediate release, bail must be set by a judge.
For less serious, nonviolent crimes bail is set according to a predetermined bail schedule and this information will be available during processing. For crimes requiring a judge to set bail the defendant will usually be within 24 hours of arrest.
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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the O’Brien County Jail? What is the Schedule?
240 1st Street N.E.
Primghar, IA 51245
712-957-5245
Schedule Video Visits online with Reliance
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
| MONDAY | NO VISITS ON SITE |
| TUESDAY | NO VISITS ON SITE |
| WEDNESDAY | NO VISITS ON SITE |
| THURSDAY | 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
| FRIDAY | 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
| SATURDAY | 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
Schedule Remote Video Visit with Reliance
REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
O’Brien County Jail uses the services of Reliance Telephone for video (visit) phone calls and for emailing/texting to inmates.
Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if devices are available.
Known as the 'Reliance Inmate Wallet', it makes funding jail communication easy. Payments made into an 'Inmate Wallet' account are linked to a dedicated telephone number for inmates who rent one of their Reliance Tablet Phones. Inmate Wallet funds can be used for personal inmate text messaging, voice calls and video calls. The cost of this is $4.00 per month for rental of the Reliance Tablet Phone + $0.25 per minute for video and voice calls.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about O’Brien County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-957-5245 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the O’Brien County Jail?
Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if devices are available.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about O’Brien County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-957-5245 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the O’Brien County Jail?
1. Online - Making a deposit using a verified Visa or Mastercard online, or using their Apple or Android App.
2. By phone - Dial 866.345.1884 to reach their 24/7 Access Corrections domestic call centers.
3. Jail Lobby Kiosk - Kiosks accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
4. Mail-in Lockbox - Friends or Family who do not have a credit or debit card can mail money orders to their secure lockbox to make deposits to an inmate’s account. Depositors use a customized form that captures all needed information. Upon receipt, they process and post the deposits to the inmate's trust fund in approximately 48 hours.
Money orders may be mailed to inmates at:
Access Corrections
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132
Money orders must be made out to "Access Secure Deposits".
Include the state, city, inmate name and ID number on all money orders.
5. Walk-in Cash Deposits - Go to any Cash Pay Today location to deposit cash to your inmate's account.
Secure Deposits - Frequently Asked Questions
Secure Deposits - Video Tutorial on How it Works
Secure Deposits - Help Pages
Customer Service Contacts:
Phone: 866-345-1884
Email: [email protected]
Online Chat - Look for 'bubble' on bottom right of the page linked here.
To send commissary money to an inmate in O’Brien County Jail follow these steps:
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for O’Brien County Jail.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about O’Brien County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-957-5245 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the O’Brien County Jail?
To set up your O'Brien County inmate to make to make phone calls to you and others, follow these instructions:
For all the information you need in order to receive phone calls from your O'Brien County inmate, or to assist them in making calls to others, including instructions, fees, cost of calls, payment methods and times that your inmate can use the phone, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your communication with your inmate will be monitored and recorded. Use discretion when discussing sensitive information about their pending case.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about O’Brien County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-957-5245 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the O’Brien County Jail, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The O’Brien 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 O’Brien 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#
O'Brien County Jail
240 1st Street NE
PO Box 260
Primghar, IA 51245-0260
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
O'Brien County Jail
240 1st Street NE
PO Box 260
Primghar, IA 51245-0260
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the 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 O’Brien County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the O’Brien County Jail standards will be disposed of.
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#
O'Brien County Jail
240 1st Street NE
PO Box 260
Primghar, IA 51245-0260
For inmates receiving mail in the O’Brien County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the O’Brien County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
O'Brien County Jail
240 1st Street NE
PO Box 260
Primghar, IA 51245-0260
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about O’Brien County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-957-5245 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the O’Brien County Jail, and what can I purchase?
To send commissary money to an inmate in O’Brien County Jail follow these steps:
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for O’Brien County Jail.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about O’Brien County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-957-5245 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the O’Brien County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Known as the 'Reliance Inmate Wallet', it makes funding jail communication easy.
To set up your O'Brien County inmate to make to send and receive texts and emails to you and others, follow these instructions:
For all the information you need in order to send and receive texts and emails from your O'Brien County inmate, or to assist them in sending and receiving secure messages to and from others, including instructions, fees, cost of each message, tablet rentals, payment methods and times that your inmate can send messages, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: All of your communication with your inmate will be monitored and recorded. Use discretion when communicating sensitive information about their pending case.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about O’Brien County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-957-5245 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the O’Brien County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Note: This option may not be available for your inmate. When registering, check to see if tablets are available.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about O’Brien County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 712-957-5245 for further assistance.
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What are the other City and County Jails in O'Brien County?
This facility, known as "O’Brien County Jail" is also known as O’Brien County Jail, Iowa, O'Brien.
