The 42-bed O’Brien County Jail offers inmate information over the phone 24 hours a day at 712-957-5245.
This facility is the first stop for people arrested in the county on misdemeanor and felony charges. Everyone goes through booking and processing, and those who are held stay until they are bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or until their trial is finished.
You can search for current inmates using the inmate search tool.
Inmates sentenced to less than one year serve out their time at this jail. Inmates sentenced to longer terms are transferred to the Iowa State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page tells you how to search the official jail roster, reach the facility, and use services like visitation, inmate account funding, mail, phone calls, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, bail bonds, and commissary.
The inmate’s jail ID or booking number is required for many services, so save it. If it’s not online, call O’Brien County Jail at 712-957-5245.
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.
Iowa is one of the few states in the country where individual counties can charge an inmate a Room and Board Fee for county inmates who have been sentenced and are serving their time. Counties in this state could charge anywhere from $25-80 per day. Some of the counties who currently charge are Carroll, Black Hawk, Lyon, Worth and Des Moines Counties. Ask your inmate's lawyer if this is something you should be concerned with. Keep in mind that it has a lot to do with the charges the accused could be found guilty of as well. Ultimately, the judge will decide whether to demand this fee or not.
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
Once arrested, the person is taken to O’Brien County Jail for booking, a process that confirms identity, assesses charges, and determines if they will be released on their own recognizance, posted for bail, or held until court.
Staying silent is key during this process, as anything spoken can be used as evidence in court. It’s best to wait for legal counsel before responding to questions.
Steps involved in booking at O’Brien County Jail include:
To check on an offender’s bond amount, contact O’Brien County Jail at 712-957-5245.
After an arrest, individuals are brought to O’Brien County Jail in Primghar for processing. Following this, three possible outcomes exist:
1. The individual may be released without posting bail, with a promise to appear in court.
2. The individual could be held in jail until their court date.
3. Bail or bond can be posted for release; for more information, contact 712-957-5245.
Bail payment can be handled through various means.
To learn more about the bail process in O'Brien County, Iowa, visit the O’Brien County Jail Bail Page.
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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.
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?
Video session rates for O’Brien County Jail are listed when you schedule through Reliance, so check the total before confirming. For a disputed video charge, contact Reliance first, then the jail if needed.
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. Lobby kiosk - Ask the jail whether it has an Access Corrections kiosk for deposits.
4. By mail - Ask Access Corrections or the jail whether money orders can be mailed, and to what address.
Ask who the money order should be made out to, and include the inmate name and ID number on all money orders.
5. Walk-in Cash Deposits - Ask the O’Brien County Jail whether it accepts cash deposits in person, and where.
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: customerservice@accesscorrections.com
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?
Per-minute call rates for O’Brien County Jail are shown in the Reliance account before any call is paid for, and Reliance customer service at 1-800-896-3201 answers billing questions about a charge.
To set up your O'Brien County inmate 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?
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?
