Union County Jail Family & Friends Information

SEARCH FOR AN INMATE IN Union County Jail

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Union County Jail

Union County Jail
302 North Pine Street
Creston, IA 50801

641-782-7717

The Union County Jail is the main jail in Union County Iowa. While the police in the cities and towns in Union County can arrest and detain offenders, the Union County Jail is the facility that is accredited by Iowa to hold inmates for more than 72 hours.

The Union County Jail is located at:
302 North Pine Street
Creston, IA 50801 

It can be reached 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 641-782-7717.

The main reason that people call 641-782-7717 is to find out if a particular person is in custody, although you can look up an inmate online by going here. You can also get answers to whatever questions about an inmate, and the services for Union County Jail that you may have by clicking on any of the questions below:

How to search for an inmate?
Can you look up an inmate’s mugshot?
How do you look up an offender’s criminal charges, bond or inmate number?
How do you visit an inmate?
What are the visitation hours?
Can you visit inmates in Union County by video from home?
How do you get phone calls from an inmate?
Can you send mail, books, or newspapers to an inmate?
How do you send an inmate money?
Does Union County Jail have inmate commissary?
Can an inmate receive and/or send email or text messages?
Do inmates in Union County have access to computers or tablets?
How do you pay an inmate’s bail or bond?

Every year the Union County Jail has approximately 220 bookings, with a daily average of 11 inmates and maintains control of the facility with a staff of 2.

Inmates in this jail range from low level misdemeanor offenders to those being held and awaiting trial for violent crimes like robbery, rape, and murder. Therefore, given the mix of potentially dangerous inmates, the security level is very high. 

The Union County Jail is equipped with a state-of-the-art locking system, closed circuit cameras covering every area where inmates are located, and jail staff that utilize a communication system that keeps each of the guards and civilian staff in constant contact. 

Guards that circulate in the same general area of the inmates are armed with eye-blinding mace that will turn an inmate having a violent outburst into a weeping child. They also carry stun weapons, short clubs, flashlights that have dual use as both a light source and as a weapon, and handcuffs. Guards at entrances and in areas not frequented by inmates are armed with various firearms. The goal of such tight security is to keep both the staff and the inmates safe.

Go to this page for other jails in Union County, jails in neighboring counties, and local police jails and juvenile detention centers for young offenders under age 18 in this county.

Unlike the Iowa Department of Corrections, where inmates are sent once convicted of a crime and sentenced to a period of more than a year, the Union County Jail System is populated by short-term offenders; those who have just been arrested and awaiting to be bonded out by friends or family, those who cannot afford or get bailed and are awaiting trial, or those who have already been convicted of a crime and sentenced to a term of less than one year. Many of the latter inmates become ‘workers’, who can reduce their sentence by performing jail maintenance or working in the kitchen. An upside to being a worker is they also get paid a small stipend so when they get released, they have a few dollars in their pocket.

When an inmate is convicted and sentenced to a year or more, they are transferred to the Iowa Department of Corrections or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  

Inmates that are convicted of a misdemeanor and/or sentenced to less than one year of a state crime serve their time in the Union County Jail. 

Illegal immigrants convicted of a state or federal crime will first do their time, then may be transferred into ICE custody for deportation.

How to Both Schedule a Visit and Have Remote Video Visitation with an Inmate incarcerated in Union County

To register and sign up for a visitation account with CIDNET Video Visitation Service, follow the instructions below:

  • Register and create an account with CIDNET.
  • Type in your Email, Time Zone and First & Last Name of your Union County Jail inmate.
    1. Click the Create Account button.
    2. Agree to the terms.
    3. Login to your email and open the verification email sent by CIDNET. Click it.
    4. Choose a Security PIN and a Password.
    5. Click the Sign In button.
  • After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Iowa, then the Union County Jail, then your inmate's name.
  • Once you have completed this, the Union County Jail will have to give final approval for you to set up a video visitation account with your inmate.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, special links, policies, rules, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding regular visitation and remote video visits with an inmate in Union County, visit our full page guide

NOTE: All visits are recorded. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that CIDNET may be collecting voice prints for a database which they may be sharing with law enforcement agencies.


 

How to Make and Receive Phone Calls and Video Phone Calls from an Inmate in Union 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 Union 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 Union County Jail, then your inmate's name.
  • Once you have completed this, the Union 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 Union 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!
Also, be warned that some phone providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.


 

How to send a text or email to an inmate in Union County

To send and receive secure texts or emails from an inmate housed in Union County follow these instructions:

  • Register and create an account with CIDNET.
  • Choose a Security PIN and Password.
  • After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Iowa, then the Union County Jail, then your inmate's name.
  • Once you have completed this, the Union County Jail will have to give final approval for you to communicate by email with your chosen inmate.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues with Texting and Emailing an inmate in Union County, visit our full page guide


 

How Does an Inmate Make Phone Calls in Union County Jail?

To receive phone calls from an inmate in Union County follow these instructions:

Union County Jail uses the services of NCIC for inmate phone calling. It is called a ‘friends & family account”.

In order to receive phone calls from your inmate, you need to do the following:

  • Register here, or by phone 800-943-2189
  • Choose Iowa.
  • Choose Union County Jail
  • Select your Inmate.
  • Enter the phone number your Inmate will be calling.
  • Fund your Account. ($10-$100 at a time)

NOTE:
1.   You cannot receive any calls to your phone number from your inmate until both you and your phone number are registered.
2.  When you do receive a call, the number you will view on your phone from the incoming call is: 800-943-2189.
3.  When allowed by Union County Jail, families can also leave secure voicemails for inmates to listen to.

Fees

  • Adding funds to your account - $3.00 
  • Cost of phone call of a Prepaid Collect Account - $0.21 per minute
  • Cost of an interstate (ex. Iowa to a different state) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost of an intrastate (ex. Iowa to Iowa) phone call NOT Prepaid - $0.25 per minute
  • Cost if you set up your account (or fund it) by phone using a live agent, you will be charged a one-time fee of $5.95.

NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – [email protected]
Full list of participating jails.

For all the information regarding phone calls with Union County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, fees, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

Third Party Jail Inmate Services for Union County Jail

Communication and Monetary Services for Family and Friends of Inmates

Gone are the days where Union County Jail supervised their own phone system, mail system, visitation, commissary and inmate money deposit systems. Jails throughout the United States are now partnering with high tech companies to provide and manage these servives for them and the jail in Union County is no different.

Everything from video calls, to messages to visitation, and even digital mail and money deposits can be done from your home computer or personal device. Inmates in Union County Jail, if they don't already, will soon have their own personal tablets for watching movies, TV shows, access to educational and and legal information, and more.

As Union County Jail adds these services, JAILEXCHANGE will add them to our pages, helping you access the services and answering your questions about how to use them and what they cost.

You can check out this information now by going to the: Family Info page, Visit Inmate page, Inmate Mail page, Inmate Phone page, Send Money page, Inmate Bail page, Mugshots page, Text/Email an Inmate page, Commissary page, Remote Visits page, or the Tablet Rental page. 

Union County Jail

STATE COUNTY BEDS
Iowa Union 11


PHYSICAL ADDRESS

302 North Pine Street
Creston, IA 50801


TELEPHONE NUMBER


FAX

641-782-8404

INMATE MAIL

Inmate's First and Last Name
302 North Pine Street
Creston, IA 50801


EMAIL

[email protected]


Union County INMATE SEARCH OPTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

How many inmates are in the Union County Jail in Iowa?
There are 11 inmates in the Union County Jail in Iowa. While that is what they are approved to have incarcerated at any one time, they have on occasion had to add additional beds, even having inmates sleep on the floor when overcrowding becomes an issue. When possible, Union County Jail will temporarily transfer some inmates to a neighboring facility, or if necessary, release some offenders from custody. Learn more about how to search for a specific inmate in the Union County Jail.

How many people get arrested and booked into the Union County Jail in Iowa every year?
In 2021, a total of 220 offenders were booked into the Union County Jail in Iowa. That is less than previous years, mostly due to restrictions related to the COVID pandemic. As of April 2022, the number of arrests and bookings are returning to normal, which means they are running higher than 2021. Learn more about how to search for an inmate in the Union County Jail.

How many people work at the Union County Jail in Iowa?
The Union County Jail maintains a staff of approximately 2. Staff positions include correction officers, maintenance, clerical, kitchen workers and management. Iowa law allows for inmates to work alongside the paid staff during their incarceration, saving the facility money. Even though the inmates are paid, the cost is less than 15% of what a normal worker from the outside would be paid.

Does the Union County Jail in Iowa have an inmate search or jail roster to see who is in custody?
Yes, the Union County Jail in Iowa has an Inmate Search Roster feature. Learn more about how to search for an inmate in the Union County Jail. When you get to this page click on the big green button that reads 'OFFICIAL Union County Jail INMATE LIST'. After clicking on the link, type in the offender's name and then click 'search'. You can always call and speak to someone on the staff at 641-782-7717 if you are have further questions. In most cases the Inmate Roster provides information about the inmate's bond, criminal charges, mugshot, and even their release date, as long as they are not being sent to a Iowa prison or the US Bureau of Prisons to serve a sentence that is longer than one year.

What is the address and phone number of the Union County Jail in Iowa?
The Union County Jail address and phone number is: 302 North Pine Street
Creston, IA 50801. Their phone number is 641-782-7717. To find out the address for sending an inmate mail, sending newspapers, magazines or care packages, learn more about how to mail an inmate in the Union County Jail.

Where do I found out all the inmate services at Union County Jail, such as visitation policy and schedule, how the inmate phone system works, emailing an inmate, and sending them money to buy things in commissary?
Here is where you get direct access to all the information you need for Union County Jail inmate services: Learn more about how to visit an inmate in the Union County Jail. Learn more about how to get phone calls from an inmate in the Union County Jail. Learn more about how to text/email an inmate in the Union County Jail. Learn more about how to send money to an inmate in the Union County Jail. Learn more about how to mail an inmate and what's allowed in the Union County Jail. Learn more about inmate commissary in the Union County Jail.

How do I bail or bond an inmate out of the Union County Jail?
Call 641-782-7717 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Union County Jail. A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule. You will either have to pay a cash bail, or put up a private, surety or a property bond to guarantee to the court that the defendant will return on their assigned court date. Learn more about how to bail or bond out an inmate in the Union County Jail.

This facility, known as "Union County Jail" is also known as Union County Jail , Union County Jail , Iowa, Union.