Wapello County Jail – Ottumwa, IA

Wapello County Jail is in Wapello County, IA and is the main correctional facility for this county. Looking for somebody incarcerated at Wapello County Jail? This page tells you info about everything one might want to know about Wapello County Jail,such as: How to locate an inmate. Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Posting bail. Wapello County Jail intake procedures. Court information. And much, much more.

The thought of going to jail is a scary situation, not only for whoever goes to jail, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. The goal of this guide is to give you information that you need to make helping someone get out of jail a lot easier. If you have questions, please feel free to ask it in the comment section below, and any tips or comments that would help other people in the same situation will be much appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that has gone to jail and want to locate them?

Do you know a friend or family member that has been arrested and you need to find out where they are?

In order to find out who’s in jail at Wapello County Jail you should go to their web site and perform an inmate lookup.

The Wapello County Jail Inmate List is a list of people who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes current status, bail amount, and times the inmate can have visitors. You can also find information about anyone arrested and processed or released in the last 24 hours. Prisoners are listed alphabetically by last name. You will be able to locate the information more quickly if you have their full name, birth date, or inmate ID.

If the person you’re searching for could possibly be at a different jail you should look here, too: Iowa Jails

A mugshot, also called a jail intake picture, is a picture that the police take when you get processed at jail intake. They take one frontal photo and a side-view photo. Your full name and intake number will be in the mugshot, and they will be on file.

Mugshots can be searched on the Wapello County Jail website, or you can see them at the Wapello County Jail. When viewing online you have to input the legal name, and a booking date.

Are you trying to figure out what to do in order to get your mugshot taken off of the Wapello County Jail site? This is difficult, because the mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot removed you have to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that all of your arrest records would be sealed, so no one will be able to access them. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

Read our in-depth tutorial about getting your mugshot taken down, the many different mugshot sites, and the mugshot removal services: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Of course, if you’re locked up, your main thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, your bail amount will be determined either through a preset bail schedule or a magistrate. If no bail is set this can mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you are released you must promise to be in court on your court date, and until that day you won’t be permitted to go out of town.

Usually, prisoners at Wapello County Jail can earn an early release in exchange for good behavior when they don’t break the rules and act right while in jail.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you may be allowed to participate in a work release program. You will have to return to jail each day when you’re finished working, or you may get to live in a halfway house when you are not working.

Your bail is money that you have to pay in order to be released from jail until your court date. The amount of bail that is set all depends on how serious your crime is. You or someone you know will have to pay ten percent of the total set in order to get discharged from jail. If you don’t go to your court date, that person will not get their money back.

You will need to call the jail or the county courthouse. If you have all the person’s info, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll tell you what their bail is set at. You can also find out how much their bail is on the Wapello County Jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is never a fun thing, but thankfully, it’s really easy. First of all, figure out if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If this is the case, you can’t get a bail bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – they can’t take checks. Once you have paid the bond, the person will be released. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, you’ll get the bail money back.

If the amount of bail set is large, or you just can’t afford to pay it, you should use a bail bondsman. They will generally have a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount, and sometimes with a minimum charge of $100. This money will not be returned to you and is typically cash only. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bondsman will in these cases request to use your assets as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

You can find a local bail bondsman go to: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to use a bail bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If you have, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how it worked out.

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• Get Time Off For Good Behavior
• Work Release Programs
• Time Served
• Be Released on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Get Released on House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The jail intake procedure includes these steps:

• You will get put in a holding cell. If the jail is really busy, you may not be processed immediately.
• The first step is that you must answer some basic questions, such as your full legal name, street address, birth date and an emergency contact.
• They’ll also ask about your medical and mental history.
• You will be issued an inmate number.
• Your fingerprints will be taken.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any property you have will be taken away from you and will be stored until you are released.
• You will then be allowed to use the telephone in order to talk to family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might be allowed to skip the jumpsuit and keep wearing your own clothes, if not you will have to wear a jail uniform.

Have you been arrested and gone through jail intake? If you have, you should tell us what happened. How long did you have to wait in the holding cell? Were you treated fairly? Do you have any things that will help others make it through the process?

Click here to share your story

When you pay your bail, you will get discharged from jail. This process will take between 30 minutes to all day. Or, simply, the faster you can post bail, the quicker you will get out of jail. It also can depend on whether you’ve got a cash bond amount or if the magistrate has to determine your bail amount. For minor offenses, you will get booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have served out your jail sentence and are given a date of your release, plan to be released at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

If you have a, or if you need to start your sentence, it is recommended that you follow the rules and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. In the case of an outstanding warrant, go to the jail, and tell them that think that there is an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. A record check will be run, and if there is one, they will ask that you surrender yourself and you will be taken into custody. When reporting to serve a sentence, report to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be sure that you get don’t get there late, or they may decide to arrest you. Only bring required items when you go to jail, such as a driver’s license or even state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, and a sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates must provide information about each visitor to the jail in advance. Your visitors will be entered in a log of visitors for the inmate that requested the visitor. All visitors must provide identification. Any visitors arriving late or that is not an approved visitor will be turned away.
Jail visitation policies frequently change, so it would be wise to double-check the jail site before you go to the jail to visit.

All phone calls from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Calls made in jail are much more expensive than phone calls made outside of jail. There are certain restrictions about how often you can use the phone, but inmates must keep in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you break the jail rules, phone calls might get cut back or cut altogether.

Phone Number: 641-684-4233

All inmate mail is required to be sent using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other form of mail delivery. You must write the person’s name, inmate number, and the address of the jail on the letter. Do not mail a box or package, envelope with padding, bag, or an envelope with metal inside. Any mail sent to inmates gets opened and read and inspected by the officers at the jail, and will get returned to the sender if they decide it is inappropriate.

Use this address when sending a letter to an inmate at Wapello County Jail:

Wapello County Jail
330 W 2Nd St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Wapello County Jail
330 W 2Nd St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501

The mail policy changes frequently, so visit the the Wapello County Jail website before you send a letter.

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If you get arrested, you still have certain rights, the most important of which is your right to request an attorney. Remember that you may be limited to the amount of phone calls you can make, so make sure you get a friend or family member to locate a lawyer when you talk to them. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘but do I really need a lawyer’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a criminal defense attorney will make sure you know your rights, look after your best interests and guide you through the criminal justice system. The sooner you get a lawyer involved with your criminal case, the better off you’ll be.

For more info on the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, click here: How to Find an Attorney in Wapello County

If you need an attorney, but can’t afford a lawyer, you will get a public defender. The Public Defender has access to investigators, crime scene and forensics experts as well as social workers. All Public Defenders are full-fledged attorneys that are members of the State Bar and are legally licensed to represent you in court and practice law.

Have you ever had to use the services of a Public Defender? Do you think that they did a good job of defending you?

Wapello County court records are public records and are available upon request. Court records are comprised of a case file containing a docket and each of the motions, documents, and evidence filed during your court case. You can access the records and documents in your court case with the website, or at the Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

A Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court who maintains court records and controls access to them. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath when court is in session, and read the verdict when the jury makes their final decision. All court records related to your court case are held at Wapello County Clerk of Court office.

Court fees and costs are the charges from your court case, such as for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you don’t have the money to pay these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you will not be responsible for these fees.

A Magistrate is the person that will preside over your court case. They do a number of things, such as setting bail, issuing arrest warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over initial court appearances and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is put together to include background information and as much detail about the defendant’s life and history, which the magistrate judge will consider when determining a sentence. Information and personal details will be requested from the person on trial, their family, and, if applicable, the victim in the crime. Bear in mind that you can ask to get a copy of this report before your sentencing, and correct any inaccurate information.

After you are convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. There are several different options for sentencing, ranging from community service to probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on the severity of the crime, you may be locked up immediately, or you could get a date that you must to surrender and report to jail to serve your term.

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Do you need to find out if somebody you know is currently in jail, or has ever been locked up?

To do so, you need to visit the jail website and do an inmate search, and search by:

• Name.
• Birthdate.
• Their approximate booking date.
• or inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you can call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you have a warrant out for your arrest, you are able to check the court records on the website or call the jail directly. You have to have the person’s first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and ask them. You should be clear that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, as well as the date of their arrest, contact the Wapello County jail, either by phone, in person, or you can check online. Records of arrests are public record and the information is accessible by the public.

A Civil Process is when someone has been served with papers, like a court order. You can access civil process orders by contacting the Wapello County Sheriff’s office, by phone or online.

All people registered as sex offenders have to be registered and listed on a sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex crime. You are able to view this information on the website, but keep in mind that you can’t see the precise address, but rather the neighborhood block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. Court Records include a court case file that contains a docket sheet and any filings and documents filed in your case. You can access court records on their website, or at the clerk’s office of the court where the case was filed.

Each and every state maintains records of their state citizen’s criminal past. These databases are all linked so you can track criminal convictions from any other state. You are able to go to the county courthouse and check in person or you can check the website. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and if the crime was in a completely different state, you might have to pay for a more intensive search.

A criminal history search you will get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for any of the following crimes:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug Possession of Drug Trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

If you do a criminal records check, usually will not find out if they have had any moving violations, like:

• Speeding or reckless driving.
• Lost their driver’s license or license revoked or suspended.
• Traffic accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get driving histories, you will have to do a search for their driving history.

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? Was it an easy process? Was your search online or did you have to make a phone call to the local courthouse? Did you get information that was correct? There are plenty of reasons that people look up criminal records and backgrounds, and your feedback may make it easier for others.

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Most Wanted

For Federal crimes, the FBI keeps a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Wapello County, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Department maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List

Wapello County Sheriff’s Department’s Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that spending time in the Wapello County jail is quite unpleasant, you will soon settle into the routine that is set for you. You should expect an alarm to wake up at six in the morning, and then you’ll have roll call. Then you will have breakfast. After breakfast, participate in the program that has been assigned to you. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Wapello County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Wapello County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The process for sending funds to someone in jail can change, so it would be best to check the official website before you send money to an inmate there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Wapello County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Wapello County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Wapello County Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to comment


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• You have the right to protection from the accused.
• You have the right to notification.
• You have the right to attend proceedings.
• You have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• You have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• You have the right to restitution.
• You have the right to a speedy trial.
• You have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

Click here to post a comment

Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been an inmate at Wapello County Jail? Do you know anybody that is a prisoner there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate at this jail?

If yes, then you should leave a comment below about it. Tell us about your jail experience so that other people can find out what to expect.

What to write in your review:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail and pod facility and layout
• Staff and guards
• Food and commissary
• Visitation Days
• The other inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gangs
• Activities and programs


Click here to review Wapello County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has some stories to tell about the whole experience. How’d you get locked up? Were you fairly treated? What was it like in jail? What about the other inmates? How did going to jail affect your life?

Tell your story about when you did time at Wapello County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Want to find somebody you met when you were locked up? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to someone incarcerated at Wapello County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Wapello County Jail Website
Wapello County Jail Inmate Search
View Wapello County Jail Mugshots
Wapello County Jail Bail Amount Link

Wapello County Jail Visitation Policy Link
Wapello County Jail Jail Mail Link
Wapello County Jail Inmate Search
Wapello County Warrants
Wapello County Jail Arrests
Wapello County Jail Send Money Procedure
Wapello County Jail Jobs


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