Iowa Inmate Search 

The State of Iowa provides different inmate search options, which are in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.  

Due to the many correctional facilities in this state, you might find it hard to perform a successful inmate search process. Before getting started, you will need to understand the difference between inmates housed in state prisons and local jails.  

How to Search for Inmates in State Prisons 

State prisons house offenders whose security needs cannot be met in county jails. Usually, these persons’ sentences range from one year to life imprisonment, depending on the nature of their crimes. Other times, state prisons also house individuals awaiting trial or sentencing for felony offenses.  

The Iowa Department of Corrections is responsible for running state prisons, including overseeing the inmate admission process. The department also maintains an offender search website, which allows you to access information on your incarcerated loved one.  

The Inmate Search Process  

The first step is to follow this link. The website provides two broad inmate search categories: Name and Birthdate. The Name option has three subcategories: 

• First Name  
• Middle Name  
• Last Name  

For accurate results, you must fill in the three fields. However, if this isn’t possible, you may opt to search separately, although the results will be broad.  

Ensure you narrow the search as much as possible, as the website will not display search results with more than 1000 matches.  

Assume you only know the offender’s last name – in such a case, the best way to narrow the results is to fill out the information in the Birthdate category. This section has the following search fields: 

• Birthdate Range  
• Sex 
• Offender Booking Number  
• Offense Committed  
• County of Commitment 

The Search Results  

A successful search will give the following offender information: 

• Name  
• Incarceration Number  
• Charges  
• Custody Status 
• Eligibility for Parole  
• Facility of Incarceration  
• Possible Release Date 

Notably, this website doesn’t include inmate mugshots.  

How to Search for Inmates in County Jails 

The Freedom of Information Act requires county and state agencies to make public information accessible. In compliance, county jails in Iowa provide several offender data access means. The most common is physically visiting the correctional facility and reviewing the roster.  

You can also find the information at the Sheriff’s Office, as it oversees these jails’ operations. This is the best option as the information is up-to-date, and you can learn more details about your incarcerated loved one by inquiring from the jail officials.  

The main downside of this option is geographical barriers – it’s only viable if you’re within the area where the jail and the sheriff’s offices are located.  

Online Inmate Search in County Jails  

Most county jails in Iowa have online websites that contain general information about the facilities, including their history and location. These websites also contain online inmate rosters that detail data about current inmates in the facilities.  

You just have to search the particular jail with the words “inmate roster” at the end – for instance, “Linn County Correctional Center inmate roster.”  

The following offender information is common on these websites: 

• Name  
• Age  
• Booking Date 
• Reason for Arrest Court Details  
• Sheriff’s offices also maintain such web pages on their websites, so be sure to visit them.  

Alternatively, you can use the services of third-party websites, although most charge service fees. Additionally, the information on the sites may be outdated and hence unreliable.  

Regardless of your option, inmates are likely to falsify their personal data, like names and dates of birth. Hence, only use the data for informational purposes.  

Iowa Sex Offender Search 

Iowa maintains a sex offender registry under the Department of Public Safety. The state’s laws require offenders to register for ten years or life, depending on the specific legislation violated and the offender’s previous conviction history.  

Follow this link to find out about sex offenders in your area. The website contains the following search options: 

• Normal Search  
• Advanced Search  
• Map Search 
• Emails and IDs  
• Telephone  
• Vehicle  

The Normal Search requires you to provide the offender’s first and last names, in addition to their postal code details. This option is preferable when you’re looking for a specific sex offender.  

The Advanced Search is more comprehensive, as you get to narrow the results to a particular geographical area. Additionally, the option has a radius category, where you can choose the range in miles.  

The Advanced Search option also has a Victim Criteria, where you can search based on the following victim information: 

• Victim Age Group  
• Victim Gender  
• Conviction County 

The Map Search option is similar to a geographical search, where you input details like street address, city, postal code, and mile range.  

The other options involve keying in the specific sex offender’s email address, telephone number, or vehicle plate number. The search results will provide information like: 

• Offender’s Mugshots  
• Incarceration Status 
• Compliance with Registration Requirements  
• Charges and Convictions.