Polk County Jail
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Polk County Jail. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- County Facility
- Security Level
- Pretrial / Sentenced
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- Not available
- Operated By
- Polk County Sheriff's Office
Polk County Jail Inmate Communication Overview
Polk County Jail is the main county detention facility for Polk County, Iowa, operated by the Polk County Sheriff's Office in Des Moines. It is the largest county jail in Iowa and holds people awaiting trial in Polk County courts along with those serving shorter county sentences. Des Moines is Iowa's capital and largest city, and the jail processes bookings from multiple law enforcement agencies across the metro area.
Families reach people at Polk County Jail through GettingOut and Securus. GettingOut covers electronic messaging, photo sharing, and commissary money transfers, and it's free to create an account at gettingout.com or through the GettingOut app. Securus covers phone calls and video visitation through a separate account that families fund directly. Both accounts are typically needed to access the full set of communication options.
Polk County Jail sits in the Des Moines metro area, which makes it reachable for most families across central Iowa within a reasonable drive. For those farther away, GettingOut messaging and Securus phone or video access tend to be the more practical day-to-day option. Because most people here are in pretrial status, communication needs can change quickly. Anyone sentenced to Iowa prison time will transfer to an Iowa Department of Corrections facility, where the provider setup is usually different.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313
Main Phone
(515) 323-5400
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Polk County Jail.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: GettingOut
Send messages through the GettingOut app or website. Messages are reviewed before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Remote video visits are scheduled through Securus. Book ahead of time.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: GettingOut
Photos can be attached to GettingOut messages, subject to content review.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Fund a Securus account to receive calls or set up prepaid calling.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: GettingOut
Add commissary funds through GettingOut.
Communication Providers at Polk County Jail
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
GettingOut
Handles messaging, photo sharing, and commissary money transfers for Polk County Jail.
View GettingOut ServicesSecurus
Handles phone calls and video visitation for Polk County Jail.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Polk County Jail
- GettingOut and Securus are the two providers used at Polk County Jail. Messaging, photos, and money go through GettingOut, while calls and video go through Securus.
- All messages, calls, and video visits are subject to monitoring and review by facility staff.
- Confirm the exact spelling of the person's name and booking number before creating an account, since mismatches can delay message delivery.
- People transferred to an Iowa DOC state facility after sentencing will need to check the provider used at their new facility.
- Video visits typically need to be scheduled in advance rather than started on demand.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Polk County Jail
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I send a message to someone at Polk County Jail?
- Create a free account at gettingout.com or through the GettingOut app. Search for the person by name, add funds if you want to include photos, and send your message. Staff review messages before they're delivered, so allow some time.
- How do I set up a video visit at Polk County Jail?
- Video visits are handled through Securus. Create an account, search for Polk County Jail, and choose an open time slot. Visits usually need to be booked at least a day in advance.
- How do I send money to someone at Polk County Jail?
- Commissary deposits go through GettingOut. You can add funds by debit or credit card through the app or website. Processing typically takes one business day.
- Can I find out if someone is currently held at Polk County Jail?
- The Polk County Sheriff's Office offers an online inmate search on its official website. You can search by name to confirm current custody status.
- What happens to communication access after someone is sentenced?
- People sentenced to state prison time are transferred out of Polk County Jail to an Iowa Department of Corrections facility. The provider setup at the new facility may be different, so check as soon as a transfer happens.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Polk County Jail?
- Use the Polk County Sheriff's Office inmate search, or call the jail at (515) 323-5400. Have the person's full name ready when you search or call.
- How do I send mail to someone at Polk County Jail?
- Address mail with the person's full name, care of Polk County Jail, 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313. Include the full name so mail reaches the right person.
- How do I post bail for someone at Polk County Jail?
- Bail can be posted at the jail lobby. Bring a valid photo ID and ask the reception deputy for the current bail process. Confirm the bail amount with the jail before posting.
- How do I schedule a video visit at Polk County Jail?
- Schedule video visits through your Securus account. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Book in advance, since same-day visits are generally not available.
Troubleshooting at Polk County Jail
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.
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