Pottawattamie County Jail
Pottawattamie County Jail
Physical Address
1400 Big Lake RoadCouncil Bluffs, IA 51501
Jail Phone Number
712-890-2260Pottawattamie County Jail Inmate Search, Council Bluffs, Iowa
To see who is in the Pottawattamie County Jail, open the sheriff's inmate list or call 712-890-2260.
Booking photos (mugshots) appear with Pottawattamie listings.
Bond, warrants, federal and ICE holds, local police, phone calls, deposits and visiting follow.
Read inmate search answers
Read inmate search answers1. Which facilities are in Pottawattamie County and next door?
- Pottawattamie County Jail, 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501; booking 712-890-2260, administration 712-890-2250.
- Southwest Iowa Juvenile Detention Center (youth only), 629 6th Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501; 712-328-4893.
- Mills County Jail, 600 Industrial Road, Glenwood, IA 51534; 712-527-4275.
- Harrison County Jail, 111 S. 1st Avenue, Logan, IA 51546; 712-600-9776.
- Shelby County Jail, 1104 9th Street, Harlan, IA 51537; 712-755-5026.
- Cass County Jail, 5 W. 7th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022; 712-243-6960.
- Montgomery County Jail, 106 W. Coolbaugh Street, Red Oak, IA 51566; 712-623-5107.
2. What is the video visiting schedule?
All visits are by video and need to be booked ahead through the jail's video account system. On-site sessions run Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 11:45 a.m. and 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.; log in by 3:30 p.m. to get the full time, since business hours end at 4:00 p.m. Remote video visits run every day from 9:00 to 11:45 a.m., 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and in the evening from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. or 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., depending on the inmate's security level. Questions go to 712-890-2250. Each visit runs 30 minutes, an inmate gets at most two a week, and a visitor may see only one person in custody.
↑ Back to the question list3. Can children come along?
Anyone under 18 needs an adult with them plus a birth certificate or guardianship papers. Children must be supervised at every moment, and personal belongings go into a locker before the visit starts.
↑ Back to the question list4. Is there a dress code?
It bars see-through clothing, halter, tube or strapless tops, swimwear, or anything excessively tight. Shorts and skirts must reach mid-thigh when seated, men must wear a shirt, everyone needs shoes, and gang colors, hats and bandanas are turned away. Visitors who seem impaired, bring food or drink, or act up are removed.
↑ Back to the question list5. How do calls and messages work?
People inside can use housing-unit phones most days but cannot take incoming calls, and staff pass along messages only in a verified emergency. Video visits, e-mail and texts all run through one communication account you open online.
↑ Back to the question list6. How do deposits reach someone inside?
Commissary and trust accounts are handled by an outside company; the sheriff's correspondence page links to its online deposit site. Cash, checks and money orders sent by mail are refused. For commissary questions, and for room-and-board billing at 712-890-2257, see also our money guide.
↑ Back to the question list7. How should letters be addressed?
Write the person's full name, then Pottawattamie County Jail, 1400 Big Lake Rd., Council Bluffs, IA 51501. Up to three photos per envelope, 4x6 or smaller, are allowed. The jail sends back parcels, oversized greeting cards, letters with stains, crayon or glitter, and sexually explicit material. It also refuses money of any kind, including checks and money orders, along with postage, pre-stamped envelopes, food, and magazines or newspapers that do not come straight from the publisher. Our mail page has more tips.
↑ Back to the question list8. Could the person be somewhere else?
After sentencing to prison, try the Iowa DOC search. Search federal custody with the BOP locator and immigration detainees in the ICE locator. Someone arrested in Omaha would be in a Nebraska jail, not this one.
↑ Back to the question list9. Does the roster show mugshots?
Yes. Accept the terms on the sheriff's inmate roster page and it leads to the roster list, where entries show booking photos (mugshots). Television and print reporters may ask the sheriff's office for anything more. If ICE is holding the person, a picture is released only when ICE grants a request made at its records page. For federal prisoners there is no public photo at all, short of a U.S. Marshals release.
↑ Back to the question list10. What should we do if a family member is on the Pottawattamie County warrants list?
Don't panic, and don't wait for a traffic stop. Call 712-890-2200 to confirm the listed warrant is still active; the sheriff's deputies serve it. A Council Bluffs attorney can schedule the turn-in at the Pottawattamie County Jail at 1400 Big Lake Road in Council Bluffs, 712-890-2260. Iowa has no statewide search, but Iowa Courts Online shows the case. When a skipped hearing is the cause, the clerk on South 6th Street (712-328-5604) can explain how to ask for another.
↑ Back to the question list11. How is bond set and paid?
In Council Bluffs, most first bonds follow the statewide uniform bond schedule; for serious charges, Council Bluffs's magistrate sets it. Call 712-890-2260 for amounts.
- How to pay at 712-890-2260: cash, surety or Iowa property.
- Guide: our bail guide.
- Hearings: our court guide, or the clerk at 712-328-5604.
12. How do I find the charges?
Iowa Courts Online lists charges and dates by name; Council Bluffs's clerk answers at 712-328-5604. Under Iowa Code 815.10 a judge can appoint the State Public Defender; Council Bluffs's first appearance follows promptly (Iowa Code 804.22).
↑ Back to the question list13. Is the person in federal custody?
In Council Bluffs, federal arrests go to the U.S. Marshals Service; its Council Bluffs office answers at 712-890-3500. Cases are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa; its clerk is at 2146 27th Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, 515-284-6248. After a federal sentence, check the BOP inmate locator. Bond at 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 cannot lift a federal hold; only 515-284-6248 can.
↑ Back to the question list14. How does an ICE detainer work?
- The Pottawattamie County Jail receives DHS Form I-247A from ICE.
- Iowa Code chapter 27A makes the jail in Council Bluffs honor it, holding someone 48 hours longer at most (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
- After 48 hours without ICE at 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, the hold ends.
- The ICE detainee locator tracks transfers by A-number or name.
15. Are juveniles held at this jail?
Under Iowa Code 232.8, cases involving people under 18 go to juvenile court in Council Bluffs. Adult rosters never list them (Iowa Code 232.147). For juvenile court, call 712-328-5604 or 712-890-2260.
↑ Back to the question list16. How do custody alerts work?
VINELink sends free release and transfer alerts for Council Bluffs. Phone sign-up is at 888-742-8463. The Pottawattamie County Jail answers at 712-890-2260.
↑ Back to the question list17. When will the person get out?
In Council Bluffs, once bond clears at 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, release usually takes a few hours; 712-890-2260 knows. Prison sentences move people to the Iowa DOC offender search. Another county's hold keeps them; ask 712-890-2260. Federal or ICE holds go via 712-890-3500.
↑ Back to the question list18. What if the name is missing?
In Council Bluffs, new bookings can lag; call 712-890-2260. Anyone moved from Council Bluffs, or released, may show in the Iowa DOC offender search, or the BOP inmate locator. Juveniles are never listed (Iowa Code 232.147). If unsure, ask 712-890-2260.
↑ Back to the question list19. When does a judge see them?
In Council Bluffs, a magistrate reviews the arrest within 24 hours (Iowa Code 804.22). Bond can be changed later (Iowa Code 811.2). If money is short, the State Public Defender may be appointed. The clerk (712-328-5604) has the next date.
↑ Back to the question list20. Can someone get out without paying?
Yes. Council Bluffs's judges may release on a promise (Iowa Code 811.2), or with conditions, sometimes supervised by the Department of Correctional Services. Skipping court means forfeiture (Iowa Code 811.6) and a warrant; Council Bluffs's clerk (712-328-5604) has the terms.
↑ Back to the question list21. When is cash bail returned?
In Council Bluffs, the clerk (712-328-5604) refunds cash bail (227 South 6th Street, P.O. Box 476, Council Bluffs, IA 51502) at case end, to the payer. A 10% bondsman fee is never returned; call 712-890-2260.
↑ Back to the question list22. Which sentences are served locally?
In Council Bluffs, misdemeanor terms are served at 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 (Iowa Code 903.1). Longer terms mean prison; see the Iowa DOC offender search. Work release or weekends in Council Bluffs, Iowa, need a judge's OK; 712-890-2260 schedules it.
↑ Back to the question list23. Can a judge bar contact?
In Council Bluffs, judges can bar contact at hearings (Iowa Code 664A.3). Breaking it is a new crime (Iowa Code 664A.7). Only judges can change it; Council Bluffs's clerk (712-328-5604) keeps a copy at 227 South 6th Street, P.O. Box 476, Council Bluffs, IA 51502.
↑ Back to the question list24. How is a free lawyer appointed?
In Council Bluffs, a free lawyer depends on income (Iowa Code 815.9). Ask in court on day 1, or call 712-328-5604. The State Public Defender covers most cases in Council Bluffs; families may hire private counsel.
↑ Back to the question list25. Is a bail call real?
In Council Bluffs, the Pottawattamie County Jail never takes gift cards or crypto; call 712-890-2260 before paying anyone. Council Bluffs's bond goes only to the clerk (712-328-5604) or the jail at 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. Report scam calls to the Iowa Attorney General.
↑ Back to the question list26. Which police agencies serve Pottawattamie County?
- Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501: office 712-890-2200, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- County 911 Communications Center, courthouse basement, 227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs: non-emergency 712-328-5737, dispatching for the sheriff, Council Bluffs, Carter Lake and Avoca.
- Council Bluffs Police Department, 1 Ezra Jackson Way, Council Bluffs, IA 51503: 712-890-5400; for an officer, call 712-328-5737 option 1.
- Carter Lake Police Department, 950 Locust Street, Carter Lake, IA 51510: 712-347-5920.
- Avoca Police Department, reached through City Hall, 201 N. Elm Street, Avoca, IA 51521: 712-343-2424.
- Iowa State Patrol District 3, 2025 Hunt Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503: 712-328-8001.
- Emergencies: 911.
Pottawattamie County Bail and Bond, Council Bluffs, Iowa
In Council Bluffs, the Pottawattamie County Jail lets people go once bail is posted or a judge signs their release.
Ask the jail at 712-890-2260 about bail. Council Bluffs sits on the Missouri River facing Omaha, and the county around it takes in Carter Lake, Avoca, Oakland, Underwood, Minden, Neola, Treynor, Walnut and Macedonia.
Adults booked anywhere in the county land at the Pottawattamie County Jail, 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, a direct-supervision building with 288 beds run by the sheriff. Booking answers at 712-890-2260; jail administration is 712-890-2250 on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
1. How can I tell whether someone was booked?
The sheriff publishes an inmate roster that refreshes as people come and go; VINELink tracks custody too and will send alerts. A fresh arrest may take a while to show, so if the name is missing, phone booking at 712-890-2260. Our inmate search page walks through other lookups.
↑ Back to the question list2. Which agencies bring arrestees to Big Lake Road?
Sheriff's deputies, Council Bluffs officers, the Carter Lake and Avoca departments and Iowa troopers all book their prisoners into this one facility. It keeps people waiting for trial alongside men and women serving county sentences.
↑ Back to the question list3. What dollar figures does the state schedule use?
Before anyone has seen a judge, the jail can release on Iowa's uniform bond schedule: $300 for a simple misdemeanor, $1,000 serious, $2,000 aggravated, $5,000 for a class D felony, $10,000 class C and $25,000 class B. At the first hearing a Fourth Judicial District magistrate or judge may raise, lower or replace that figure after weighing the charge, ties to the area, work, past record and court attendance.
↑ Back to the question list4. Which arrests must wait to see a judge?
Forcible felonies get no schedule figure at all. Neither do domestic abuse arrests, stalking, ignoring a court's protective or no-contact order, making or dealing methamphetamine, armed intimidation, or a prior felon found holding a gun. Those people stay in custody until a magistrate reviews release, usually by video from the jail.
↑ Back to the question list5. How is bond posted?
Phone 712-890-2260 first for the figure and the payment types booking currently takes. Iowa allows cash, a surety bond written by an insurer authorized in the state, or a pledge of Iowa real estate; there are no individually licensed bondsmen here. Cash posted during office hours goes to the Clerk of District Court at 227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, 712-328-5604. Keep the receipt and note the case number.
↑ Back to the question list6. What did Senate File 2399 change on July 1, 2026?
Release on a written promise is now limited to nonviolent, non-drug simple or serious misdemeanors, with room for a medical exception. Any bail figure below the schedule, or one expressed as a share of it, now needs the judge's reasons put in writing. The Judicial Council must revise the schedule for inflation by July 1, 2027.
↑ Back to the question list7. What if the person lives in Nebraska?
Many arrests in Council Bluffs involve people from across the river. Expect the court to ask for a confirmed home address and a believable plan for coming back to every hearing before agreeing to low bail or supervised release through Fourth District correctional services.
↑ Back to the question list8. What happens when a juvenile is picked up?
Youths are not booked into the adult jail. A child who has to be held before a hearing goes to the Southwest Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 629 6th Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, 712-328-4893, and the juvenile judge decides whether the child goes home to a parent.
↑ Back to the question list9. What if a Council Bluffs hearing is missed?
Expect the judge to issue a bench warrant and start forfeiting the bond. Under Iowa Code section 811.6 a surety gets 30 days after notice to bring the defendant in. Skipping court is also charged separately under section 811.2(8). Where the original charge is a felony, or the no-show happens while sentencing or an appeal is pending, that new count is a class D felony; for lesser cases it is a serious misdemeanor. To ask about a new date, call the clerk at 712-328-5604 or court scheduling at 712-328-5754.
↑ Back to the question list10. When is cash bail returned?
Cash posted at the courthouse is mailed back to whoever put it up after the case wraps up, provided the defendant made each appearance; before that check goes out, the judge may subtract any unpaid fine, restitution or court cost. A surety company's premium never comes back. Jail accounts are explained in our money guide.
↑ Back to the question list11. Can a federal case or immigration hold keep someone inside?
Federal prosecutions here belong to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Western Division, 2146 27th Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, clerk's office main line 515-284-6248. Because Iowa Code chapter 27A makes county jails honor ICE detainers, paying the state bond may not end custody; the ICE locator shows transfers.
↑ Back to the question listPottawattamie County Jail ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
1400 Big Lake Road
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
712-890-2260
- In-person visits are Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 11:45 AM and 3:00 to 3:30 PM. There are no in-person visits on weekends.
- Sign in by 3:30 PM if you want the full visit time. The front office closes at 4:00 PM.
- Visits are 20 minutes, and visitors are seen first come, first served.
- You must be on the inmate's visitor list. Each inmate can have up to two 20-minute visits a week.
- Inmates on some kinds of discipline may not be allowed visitors.
- You can visit only one inmate per day.
- Bring a valid government photo ID, and dress neatly in clothes that are not revealing.
- Call 712-890-2260 before you go to make sure the schedule has not changed.
CIDNET Video Visitation allows families to conduct live, face-to-face video visits with incarcerated loved ones from home. Using an internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or personal computer equipped with a webcam, visitors connect directly through housing-unit video stations or handheld tablets without traveling to the facility or waiting in jail visitor lobbies.
Important: Advance Registration and Visitor Clearance Required
Detention centers do not permit unscheduled or unverified video sessions. Correctional facilities require prospective visitors to submit government-issued photo identification and receive administrative clearance before booking an appointment, an approval process that can take up to 48 hours depending on facility staffing. You should verify your visitor approval status with the facility prior to scheduling. If you do not register well in advance, you will miss your loved one's scheduled visiting window for the week.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Schedule a Video Visit
- Visit customer.cidnet.net or launch the CIDNET app.
- Register your visitor profile and upload a clear photograph of your government-issued ID and a verification photo.
- Wait for email notification confirming institutional visitor approval.
- Ensure your account has sufficient Data Points to cover the duration of the visit.
- Select Video Visitation, select the detention facility, and pick an available calendar time slot.
- Log into the website or mobile app 10 minutes prior to the start time on a device with a functioning camera, microphone, and stable high-speed internet connection.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate receives a schedule notification on their housing unit video kiosk or tablet. At the appointed time, they log in with their PIN and sit before the screen. Inmates and visitors must strictly observe jail dress and conduct rules; sessions are monitored by staff and will terminate immediately upon any violation.
Official Provider: CIDNET Customer Portal | Encartele Corporate
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-984-1903
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by CIDNET
In addition to Remote Video Visitation, CIDNET provides several other communication channels:
- Data Points (Unified Funding): Purchase the central credits that power video visitation, calling, and messaging.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Data Points Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Buy CIDNET Data - Inmate Messaging & Digital Mail: Send electronic text messages and digital photo attachments directly to an inmate's terminal.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Messaging Portal - Phone PINs & Voice Calling: Fund prepaid telephone calling so your loved one can call your mobile device.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Phone Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Voice Calling
Pottawattamie County District Court, Council Bluffs, Iowa
State criminal cases from Council Bluffs and everywhere else in the county go to the courthouse, 227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, the busiest seat in Iowa's Fourth Judicial District.
The courthouse switchboard is 712-328-5600 and the clerk is 712-328-5604.
After prints, photos and a warrant check at Big Lake Road, a magistrate sees the person promptly, normally over video.
1. Who works out of the South 6th Street courthouse?
- Clerk of District Court: 227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 (mail to P.O. Box 476, Council Bluffs, IA 51502); 712-328-5604; CountyClerk.Pottawattamie@iowacourts.gov.
- Court scheduling (District Court Administration): same building; 712-328-5754.
- County Attorney: fifth floor, 227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501; 712-328-5649; weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed from noon to 1:00 for lunch p.m.
- State Public Defender, Council Bluffs office: 300 West Broadway, Suite 125, Council Bluffs, IA 51503.
- Jail: Pottawattamie County Jail, 1400 Big Lake Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501; booking 712-890-2260.
2. What happens in the first two days?
If the arrest came without a warrant, a judge has to confirm probable cause within 48 hours. Release terms are set at that hearing, and anyone who wants appointed counsel fills out a financial affidavit there.
↑ Back to the question list3. How is the caseload split among judges?
- Magistrates: the simple-misdemeanor calendar, including speeding and other tickets and violations of Council Bluffs or small-town ordinances.
- District associate judges: OWI along with every other serious or aggravated misdemeanor.
- District judges: all felony prosecutions plus juvenile court.
4. How does a felony move forward?
- Booking at Big Lake Road, then the first video hearing.
- Prosecutors charge by trial information, as a rule inside 45 days.
- Arraignment, where many defendants plead in writing instead of appearing.
- Discovery, depositions and motions.
- A jury or bench trial; unless speedy trial is waived, Iowa expects it to start within 90 days after arraignment.
- After a guilty verdict or plea, a probation officer writes a presentence report and the judge imposes sentence.
5. Are there specialty courts or diversion?
The County Attorney runs a traffic and misdemeanor diversion program and takes part in the Fourth Judicial District drug court, veterans treatment court and the Southwest Iowa mental health court. A defense lawyer can ask whether a case qualifies.
↑ Back to the question list6. Are Council Bluffs dockets online?
Public filings are on Iowa Courts Online by name or case number; juvenile and sealed files are hidden. For a hearing date or a copy, call the clerk at 712-328-5604 or e-mail the clerk's address above.
↑ Back to the question list7. Who gets a court-appointed lawyer?
At the first hearing, say you can't pay for a defense attorney and fill in the financial affidavit. When the income test is met, the case usually goes to the State Public Defender's West Broadway office or to a contract lawyer; some or all of that fee may be billed back at the end.
↑ Back to the question list8. Where do juvenile cases go?
Delinquency petitions are prosecuted by the County Attorney's juvenile division in juvenile court, part of the same district court. A youth held before a hearing stays at the Southwest Iowa Juvenile Detention Center, 629 6th Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, 712-328-4893, a few blocks from the courthouse.
↑ Back to the question list9. Where is the federal courthouse?
Federal prosecutions go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Western Division, 2146 27th Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501; the clerk's office main line is 515-284-6248. To track someone in federal custody, use the BOP locator.
↑ Back to the question list10. Where are bond details?
Schedule amounts, posting and refunds are explained on our Pottawattamie County bail page.
↑ Back to the question list11. Can I search Pottawattamie County warrants online?
The sheriff publishes a warrants list, and deputies serve those warrants; confirm anything you see at 712-890-2200, since lists can lag. Council Bluffs police keep their own warrants, and nothing statewide in Iowa pulls Council Bluffs and county records together. Iowa Courts Online shows the court case. For a missed hearing, the Clerk of District Court at 227 South 6th Street in Council Bluffs (712-328-5604) can discuss a new date.
↑ Back to the question list
Inmate Canteen (operated by TurnKey Corrections) allows friends and family members to purchase pre-approved commissary packages, including brand-name snacks, confectionery goods, personal hygiene products, stationery, and apparel kits sent directly to an incarcerated loved one. Every package is packed to adhere strictly to facility security regulations, ensuring items pass institutional intake without being rejected at the loading dock.
Important: Package Deadlines and Delivery Windows Vary
Detention centers do not manage care package deliveries under identical schedules. While some facilities allow weekly orders, others restrict deliveries to bi-weekly or monthly distribution windows, and spending limits vary from jail to jail. You should verify the facility's active cutoff schedule and order allowances by calling them directly. If an order is submitted after the weekly processing deadline, delivery will be held until the following cycle, leaving your loved one waiting an extra cycle for fresh snacks, thermal wear, or personal care supplies.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Place a Commissary Package Order
- Confirm the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned booking or inmate ID number.
- Navigate to www.inmatecanteen.com and sign in or create a user profile.
- Select Commissary / Store and choose your state and detention center.
- Search for the inmate to unlock the facility's approved product catalog.
- Select allowable snack foods, candies, personal care goods, and clothing items up to the facility's allowed spending limit.
- Proceed to checkout, enter your debit or credit card billing details, and submit payment.
- Save your digital receipt and confirmation tracking number for your records.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive care packages. TurnKey Corrections prepares the order in secure, tamper-evident packaging and delivers it directly to the jail commissary department. Facility staff inspect the shipment and deliver the items during regular housing unit commissary rounds, where the inmate signs for receipt.
Official Provider: Inmate Canteen Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-715-690-2965
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Canteen (TurnKey Corrections)
In addition to Commissary Care Packages, Inmate Canteen provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services:
- Tablets & Chirp Units: Learn how secure handheld devices allow inmates to communicate, read, and message.
• Learn more on our website: Tablet Programs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Canteen Devices - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live face-to-face video visits from your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Canteen Video Visits - Digital Messaging: Send electronic messages and photos directly to housing pod kiosks and handheld devices.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Canteen Messaging - Trust & Phone Deposits: Deposit money directly into an inmate's jail trust account or phone calling balance.
• Learn more on our website: Trust & Phone Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Canteen Deposits
Buy Commissary for an Inmate in the Pottawattamie County Jail
Pottawattamie County Jail Inmate Commissary - Sending Money or Purchasing Commissary for an Inmate
Pottawattamie County Jail allows inmates to purchase commissary. This can be snacks, hygiene products, stamps, stationary, clothing and even electronics.
You can buy commissary for an inmate using an online service called Inmate Canteen.
Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.
There is a monthly limit of $200-300 on how much inmates can spend on commissary items.
This amount is subject to change so call the facility at 712-890-2260 in order to confirm the amount that cannot be exceeded.
Inmates have access to both an in-house commissary store, and commissary packages that can be purchased and shipped to the inmate by friends and family.
Scroll down for information on the Pottawattamie County Jail's service they use for you being able to purchase commissary items online and have them shipped directly to the inmate.
You can also go to our Inmate Money page for information on how to send money to an inmate.
Inmate Canteen Trust & Phone Deposits allow friends and family members to transfer money directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust account or telephone calling balance using a credit or debit card. Deposited funds give your loved one the financial balance needed to buy personal care goods, over-the-counter medication, snacks, and phone talk time from the facility canteen.
Important: Facility Banking Policies Vary Across Jails
Once a person is booked and moved to a cell, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Deposit Funds
- Confirm the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned booking or inmate ID number.
- Navigate to www.inmatecanteen.com on your computer or mobile device.
- Click on Deposit Funds and select whether to fund the Trust Account (for commissary) or Phone Account (for talk time).
- Select the state and facility where the inmate is currently housed.
- Search for the inmate to confirm their active housing record matches the facility roster.
- Enter your deposit dollar amount, review convenience fees, and enter your debit or credit card billing details.
- Submit payment and save the digital confirmation receipt for your financial records.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet connection to receive trust funds. Once payment clears, the balance posts directly to their accounting profile in the jail's internal system. The inmate can review their updated balance at the pod kiosk terminal and place their regular weekly commissary order or make outbound phone calls.
Official Provider: Inmate Canteen Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-715-690-2965
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Inmate Canteen (TurnKey Corrections)
In addition to Trust & Phone Deposits, Inmate Canteen provides several other communication, financial, and commissary services at participating correctional facilities:
- Commissary & Snack Packs: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Canteen Commissary - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live face-to-face video visits from your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Canteen Video Visits - Digital Messaging & Chirp Texts: Send electronic messages and photos directly to housing pod kiosks and handheld devices.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Inmate Canteen Messaging
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Pottawattamie County Jail
At the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs, cash in the lobby is the only deposit with no charge.
- Lobby kiosk: The kiosk at the jail, 1400 Big Lake Rd., takes cash for free. It also takes cards, but card deposits have fees.
- Online: Use Inmate Canteen with a debit or credit card. Fees apply and show before you pay.
- By mail: Don't mail money. Cash, checks and money orders sent in letters are refused.
Trust money buys commissary such as personal care items, over-the-counter medicine and snacks; phone money pays for talk time. Questions about a deposit go to 712-890-2260; have the person's full name and date of birth ready.
The Pottawattamie County Jail is on Big Lake Road in Council Bluffs. A letter for an inmate must carry their full name as part of the address, and it helps to add their inmate ID number, which is listed on the sheriff's inmate roster. Legal mail and publications use the same jail address.
Where to mail letters, legal papers and publications:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pottawattamie County Jail
1400 Big Lake Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Money: Don't mail money orders, cashier's checks, personal checks or cash, because the jail refuses all of them. Put money on the account online instead.
- Photos: Up to three in one envelope, none bigger than 4 x 6 inches.
- Stamps: Postage stamps and stamped envelopes are also refused.
- Periodicals: The jail takes magazines and newspapers only if the publisher mails them.
- Cards and letters: No oversized cards, no stains of any kind, no crayon and no glitter. Use a pen with blue or black ink for the Council Bluffs jail.
- Parcels and food: Neither is allowed, and obscene or pornographic material is banned too.
- Sender: Put your name and address in the top left so the letter can be delivered.
Inmates can't take incoming phone calls, but they can get electronic messages.
Information for this service is currently unavailable.
CIDNET Inmate Messaging provides a secure digital messaging and picture-sharing service for families of incarcerated individuals. Powered by CIDNET Data Points, outside contacts can compose electronic letters and upload JPEG photographs directly through the CIDNET web app, delivering correspondence to inmate screens within hours and avoiding paper mail sorting delays.
Important: Postal Mail Transition and Screening Rules Vary
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and physical postal mail policies differ across jurisdictions. While some detention centers accept handwritten envelopes, many facilities contracting with CIDNET have prohibited physical paper mail in favor of electronic mail scanning and direct digital messaging, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase Data Points immediately, your loved one may face lengthy periods without direct written communication from family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Message an Inmate
- Log into your account at customer.cidnet.net or launch the CIDNET app.
- Ensure your identity verification (photo ID and selfie) is approved by the facility.
- Confirm your account has an active Data Point balance; purchase additional points if needed.
- Select Messages from your navigation menu and click on your linked contact.
- Type your message in the text editor and attach clear JPEG photo files if authorized by the facility's media rules.
- Review the estimated Data Point cost for the message length and image attachments.
- Click Send to submit your transmission to the institutional mailroom screening queue.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
All messages and photographs pass through facility screening filters. Once approved, the message arrives in the inmate's inbox on their housing unit kiosk or assigned tablet. The inmate opens the message, views the images, and types a digital response, which draws against available account points.
Official Provider: CIDNET Customer Portal | Encartele Corporate
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-984-1903
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by CIDNET
In addition to Inmate Messaging, CIDNET provides several other communication and visitation options:
- Data Points (Unified Funding): Purchase universal credits that power voice calling, messaging, and video visits.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Data Points Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Buy CIDNET Data - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Video Visits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Video Visitation - Phone PINs & Voice Calling: Fund outbound voice telephone calls so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Phone Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Voice Calling
CIDNET provides secure handheld wireless tablets designed specifically for correctional housing units. Operating over a private, encrypted facility network, these devices allow incarcerated individuals to exchange messages, place voice calls, conduct remote video visits, read approved digital books, access law library materials, and complete rehabilitative courses directly from their cells.
Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary
Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages or making calls from the tablet requires an active balance of Data Points funded by friends or family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Support Tablet Use
- Confirm that CIDNET handheld tablets are active and deployed at your loved one's specific detention facility.
- Register your verified user account at customer.cidnet.net.
- Complete identity verification by uploading your government photo ID.
- Link the inmate to your profile and purchase a reserve of CIDNET Data Points.
- Notify your loved one that funds are available so they can open the communication apps on their tablet.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using biometric verification or their unique facility PIN. Once logged on, they can browse institutional announcements, access educational materials, or select approved outside contacts to read messages and start calls. When quiet hours begin or tablets require recharging, inmates return devices to designated pod docking carts.
Official Provider: CIDNET Customer Portal | Encartele Corporate
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-984-1903
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by CIDNET
In addition to Inmate Tablet Services, CIDNET provides several core communication channels:
- Data Points (Unified Funding): Purchase the digital currency required to power all tablet communications.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Data Points Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Buy CIDNET Data - Inmate Messaging & Digital Mail: Send text messages and photos directly to an inmate's tablet screen.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Messaging Portal - Remote Video Visitation: Conduct scheduled live video calls directly to their tablet or pod kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: CIDNET Video Visits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CIDNET Video Visitation
Pottawattamie County Juvenile Facilities
- Jail (Main): 712-890-2260
The Pottawattamie County Jail serves the following cities and towns of Pottawattamie County: Avoca, Carter Lake, Council Bluffs, Macedonia and Oakland.