Polk County Juvenile Detention Center

To search for an inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, 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 515-286-3344 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's criminal court case and docket schedule online for Polk County and any other county in Iowa.

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center Inmate Search

The Polk County Juvenile Detention Center maintains an average of 33 offenders in custody on any given day. The Polk County Juvenile Detention Center 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 Polk County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 30,660 offenders.

The following charts of Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center? What is the Schedule?

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE

1548 Hull Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316-1397
515-286-3344

• Visits are 30 minutes.
• You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
• The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 515-286-3344 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
• Inmates are allowed one visit per week.
• A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per inmate.
• Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
• Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.

ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 515-286-3344 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, and what can I send them?

Polk County Juvenile Detention Center Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Polk County Juvenile Detention Center 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 Polk County Juvenile Detention Center 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:
1548 Hull Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316-1397

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
1548 Hull Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316-1397

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 Polk County Juvenile Detention Center 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 Polk County Juvenile Detention Center 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:
1548 Hull Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316-1397

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, and what can I purchase?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center using an Online Messaging Service?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

Do Inmates in the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center have Access to Tablets or Computers?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Juvenile Detention Center’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 515-286-3344 for further assistance.

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