Anamosa State Penitentiary
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Anamosa State Penitentiary. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Medium
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- Not available
- Operated By
- Iowa Department of Corrections
Anamosa State Penitentiary Inmate Communication Overview
Anamosa State Penitentiary is a medium-security state prison operated by the Iowa Department of Corrections in Anamosa, Jones County, in eastern Iowa. It is one of the older institutions in the Iowa prison system, recognizable for its castle-like limestone architecture, and it houses men serving state sentences. Anamosa is about 25 miles from Cedar Rapids and roughly an hour from the Quad Cities area.
Iowa's state prison system, including Anamosa State Penitentiary, uses JPay for messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers, and Securus for phone calls and video visitation. A JPay account at jpay.com or through the JPay app lets families send electronic messages and photos, which are reviewed before delivery, and add funds to a commissary account. Phone calls and video visits are handled through a separate Securus account.
Anamosa's location in eastern Iowa keeps it within reach of Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and the Quad Cities for families who want to visit in person. For those farther away, JPay messaging and Securus calls or video visits are usually the more consistent way to stay connected. Build in some extra time when adding a new contact or sending a first message, since mail and messages go through a review process before they reach someone inside.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
406 North High Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
Main Phone
(319) 462-3504
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Visiting Hours
In-person visiting Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, by reservation in the Ameelio app. Video visiting Monday and Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, in 50-minute blocks through the Ameelio app. Confirm the current schedule with the facility before traveling.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Anamosa State Penitentiary.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Send JPay Mail through jpay.com or the JPay app. Messages are reviewed before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Remote video visits are scheduled through Securus in advance.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Attach photos to JPay messages. Content is screened before delivery.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Fund a Securus account to receive calls from Anamosa.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Add commissary funds through JPay by debit or credit card.
Communication Providers at Anamosa State Penitentiary
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Handles messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers for Anamosa State Penitentiary.
View JPay ServicesSecurus
Handles phone calls and video visitation for Anamosa State Penitentiary.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Anamosa State Penitentiary
- JPay and Securus are the two providers used across the Iowa Department of Corrections, including Anamosa State Penitentiary.
- All messages, calls, and video visits are subject to monitoring and review by DOC staff.
- New contacts and first-time messages may take extra time to clear review before delivery.
- One JPay account covers messaging, photos, and money for anyone in Iowa DOC custody, even after a transfer to another state facility.
- Video visits through Securus typically require scheduling in advance.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Anamosa State Penitentiary
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I send a message to someone at Anamosa State Penitentiary?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com or through the JPay app, search for the person using their name and Iowa DOC number, and send a JPay Mail message. Messages are reviewed before delivery.
- How do I set up a video visit at Anamosa?
- Video visits are handled through Securus. Create an account, search for Anamosa State Penitentiary, and book an available time slot in advance. You'll need a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.
- How do I send money to someone at Anamosa State Penitentiary?
- Add funds through JPay at jpay.com or the JPay app using a debit or credit card. The deposit is applied to the person's commissary account.
- How do I find out where someone is housed in the Iowa prison system?
- The Iowa Department of Corrections offers an inmate locator on its website at doc.iowa.gov. Search by name to confirm current facility placement.
- Does the same JPay account work if someone transfers to a different Iowa prison?
- Yes. JPay and Securus are used across the Iowa DOC system, so the same accounts generally continue to work after a transfer to another state facility. Confirm the new facility name in your account before sending funds or messages.
- How do I schedule a visit at Anamosa State Penitentiary?
- All visits, in-person and video, are scheduled through the Ameelio app. In-person visits run Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, by reservation. Video visits run Monday and Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, in 50-minute blocks.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Anamosa State Penitentiary?
- Use the Iowa Department of Corrections offender search at doc-search.iowa.gov/offender/search. Search by name, date of birth, or offender number. Confirm the facility before mailing or visiting.
- How do I send mail to someone at Anamosa State Penitentiary?
- Address mail with the person's full name and ID number, care of Anamosa State Penitentiary, 406 North High Street, Anamosa, IA 52205. Include the ID number so mail reaches the right person.
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at Anamosa State Penitentiary?
- No. Inmates can make outgoing calls to approved numbers, but they cannot receive incoming calls. Set up an account with the facility's phone provider and add funds so you can accept calls.
Troubleshooting at Anamosa State Penitentiary
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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