Correspondence
Letters mailed to inmates must contain the inmate's full name as part of the address. The jail will not accept certain items through the mail. Restricted items include packages, obscene or pornographic materials, personal checks, postage stamps or stamped envelopes, any type of food, or periodicals not directly sent from the publisher. Mail should be addressed in the following manner:
INMATE'S NAME
Pottawattamie County Jail
1400 Big Lake Rd
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Telephone Calls
Most inmates have daily access to telephones in their housing units. Inmates cannot receive incoming telephone calls and no messages for inmates will be taken by Detention staff unless it is a verifiable emergency. After the booking process, all telephone calls by inmates are collect and the financial responsibility of the receiver.
Inmate telephone services are provided through a contract with Evercom Systems. Any question regarding collect call charges that appear on your telephone bill should be referred to Correctional Billing Services at 800.844.6591.
Inmate Visitation
The Pottawattamie County Jail encourages inmates to maintain ties with their families and friends through regular visits. These visits are conducted in the least restrictive manner possible to remain consistent with safety and security concerns, classification requirements, and space availability. The Pottawattamie County Jail utilizes a video visitation system for regular visits.
Professional Visitation
Professional visitation is recognized as a visitor from a legal or medical entity, such as the courts, mental health, or law enforcement. Inmates have the right to confidential visits with the following persons acting in their official capacity during any time of day, 7 days a week; attorneys or authorized members of their staff, clergy who are cleared by the jail, mental health professionals who are cleared by jail, personal physicians or psychiatrists, law enforcement officers, probation and parole officers, or social workers.
Regular Visitation
Inmates are not eligible for visitation during the first 72 hours of incarceration. Visitation will be daily, with registration commencing at 8:50 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. and 12:50 p.m. to 3:50 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visitation will be on a first come, first served basis and each visit is thirty minutes in length. Visitation will not be allowed after 11:30 a.m. to allow visit completion no later that 12:00 p.m. for the noon meal. Likewise, visitation will not be allowed after 4:00 p.m. to allow visit completion no later than 4:30 p.m. Each inmate receives a least one 30 minute visit per week however, inmates on certain types of disciplinary restriction may not be permitted visitors. Visitors may only visit one inmate in a housing unit. Visitors my not switch their designated visitation booth with another visitor so that they may communicate with multiple inmates during one visitation session. Each visitor must present a valid picture driver's license or a valid picture state identification card. The only exception will be a minor child (under the age of 18) who is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Said child must be accompanied each time by birth certificate and guardianship papers.
Dress Code
All dress must be conservative in nature. NO see through clothing (lace, sheer etc.), NO low cut shirts, blouses or t-shirts. NO short or cut off shirts, NO short splits (skirts, slacks or shirts), NO belly or midriff shirts, NO clothing with vulgarity, profanity or racial slurs.
Visitation Rules
ALL persons entering the premises are subject to search. All children must have adult supervision at all times. ALL intoxicated individuals or those appearing to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to remain on the premises. NO food or drinks. NO disruptive behavior.