Monroe County Jail – Albia, IA

Monroe County Jail is located in Monroe County, Iowa and is the main jail for the area. Know somebody in Monroe County Jail? This site gives you info about everything one might want to know about Monroe County Jail: Find out who’s in jail at Monroe County Jail? Find mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and bail bondsmen. Booking and intake procedures. Court information. And everything else.

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and daunting prospect, not only for whoever goes to jail, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. This guide is designed to give you all the information and tips that you need to make getting locked up a lot easier. If you have specific questions, just ask them, and please leave any tips or comments that might be beneficial to others is appreciated.

Do you know someone that is incarcerated and want to find them?

Has somebody who’s been arrested and you don’t know how to find them?

To see who’s in jail at Monroe County Jail you have to go to their website and use the inmate search.

The Monroe County Jail Inmate Lookup is an online list of people who were arrested and are now in jail, which includes status, how much their bail is, and visiting schedule. Also, you can find the same information about anyone booked or discharged within the past 24-hour period. Prisoners are listed alphabetically by their last name. You’ll be able to locate the information more quickly if you enter the arrestee’s full name, birth date, or inmate ID.

If the person you are looking for may be at another jail you will want to check our guide to other Iowa jails: Other Jails in Iowa

A mugshot, or jail booking photo, is a photo that the jail takes when you get processed at jail intake. They will take one and a profile picture. Your full name and intake number will appear on the mugshot, and they will be stored.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be viewed on the Monroe County Jail website, or you can go in person to the Monroe County Jail. When viewing online you have to put in the inmate’s legal name, and the arrest date.

Want to get your mugshot taken off of the Monroe County Jail site? This may not be possible, since the mugshot is a public record. You need to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that your arrest record would be sealed, so no one will be able to see them. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

Read our in-depth tutorial about getting your mugshot taken down, the many different mugshot websites, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Once you are locked up, your only thought is about when you get out. After you’ve gone through booking, bail will be set either by bail schedule or magistrate. In cases where no bail is set this may mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you do bail out you are required to promise to be there for your court date, and you won’t be allowed to go out of town.

Typically, a prisoner in the Monroe County Jail can earn early release in exchange for good behavior when they follow the rules and act right while incarcerated.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you may be allowed to participate in a work release program. Either you will have to go back to the jail each day when you’re finished working, or you could be permitted to sleep in a halfway house instead of living at the jail.

Bail is how much money that you will be required to pay to be released from jail until your court date. The amount you have to pay is determined by what crime you are charged with and how serious it is. Someone will have to pay to the courts 10 percent of the total amount set in order for you to be released from jail. If you fail to show up for your court date, whoever put up your bail money will lose all of the bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail will have to call the Monroe County Jail or the County Courthouse. If you have all the pertinent information, such as name, address and date of birth, they will tell you how much their bail is. Also, you can see the bail amount on the Monroe County Jail site.

Posting bail to get out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but most of the time, it is easy if you have the money. To start with, you need to find out if they have a Cash Only Bond. If so, you can’t get a Bail Bondsman. Cash only – the jail can’t take a check. When you’ve paid bail, the inmate will be released into your care. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you’ll get your money back.

If the bail amount is too high, or you just can’t afford to pay it, you should hire a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will generally charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount, and sometimes charge a minimum of $100. This money is non-refundable and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bondsman might ask to use your assets as collateral.

To talk to a local bail bondsman visit our page about: Find a bail bondsman at Monroe County Jail

Have you ever had to use a bail bondsman either for yourself, a family member or friend? If so, leave a comment below and tell your story, and let us know how it worked out for you.

Click here to tell about all about it

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

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The intake process includes these steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, it will take a while to get processed.
• The first thing you will have to is you must answer a bunch of questions, like what is your full name, street address, birthdate and contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and mental history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID number.
• Your fingerprints will be taken.
• They will take your mugshot.
• Any property you have will be taken from you and stored until you get released from jail.
• You will then be allowed to make a telephone call to talk to family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released shortly, you might be allowed to wear your own clothes, but if you are not expected to make bail quickly you will be issued a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If you have, please tell your story so other people can learn from your experience. How long did you have to wait? What was your treatment like? Do you have any secrets that could help others make it through jail processing?

Tell Your Story

When you post bail, you will get released from jail. This process takes anywhere from 15 minutes to hours or even all day long. In other words the quicker you post bail, the quicker you can get released from jail. How quickly you get discharged will depend on if you’ve been given a cash bond amount or if the judge must figure out the bail amount. For a minor charge, you will simply be booked and released on your own recognizance. When you have served out your jail sentence and are given a discharge date, you should expect to get released in the morning.

If the sheriff has a, or if you have to start a jail sentence, you should follow the rules and turn yourself in. If it is for a warrant, report to the jail, and let them know that believe that there could be a warrant for your arrest. They will check their system to see if there are any outstanding local, state or federal arrest warrants out for you, and if they verify that there is a warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, report on the date and time that the sentence order requires you to. Make sure that you are not late to report. Make sure that you only bring things that are allowed when you go, such as a driver’s license or even state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, as well as the official sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates have to give the name and date of birth of each visitor to the jail. This information will be entered into the visitors log for the inmate that requested the visitor. Every visitor will have to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Anyone showing up late or that does not have a visitation order will be turned away.
Visitation procedures are always changing, so make sure that you check the official Monroe County Jail jail site before you try to visit an inmate.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Phone calls made in jail are much more expensive than phone calls made at home. There is no limit to when and how often you can use the phone, but bear in mind that there are a limited number of phones, so all the inmates must share phone time. If you are under any sort of disciplinary procedure, phone calls might get reduced or eliminated completely.

Phone Number: 641-932-7815

All inmate mail is required to be mailed using the US Postal Service. You can’t use any other form of delivery. You must print the prisoner’s name, inmate ID, and jail address on the letter that you send. Don’t send anything in a package, envelope with padding, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with any metal in it. All mail received by the jail gets opened and read and inspected by staff, and will get returned if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

The address that you should use if you are sending a letter to an inmate at Monroe County Jail is:

Monroe County Jail
103 2Nd Avenue West
Albia, IA 52531

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Monroe County Jail
103 2Nd Avenue West
Albia, IA 52531

The inmate mail policy at Monroe County Jail changes, so it would be best to review the official Monroe County Jail site when send a letter to someone in jail there.

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When you get arrested, you should know you still have rights, one of these being the right to request an attorney. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so make sure to get a friend or family member to locate a lawyer when you talk to them. You’re probably asking yourself ‘I don’t need a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a lawyer will advise you about your rights, protect your interests and help you understand the court system in your county. The quicker you get a lawyer involved with your charges, the better.

To read more about the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, click: How to Find a Lawyer

If you’ve been arrested and don’t have the money to hire an attorney, you will get a public defender. Also, the Public Defender’s Office is staffed by investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and social workers. All Public Defenders are real lawyers that are admitted to the State Bar and are legally licensed to practice law and represent you in court.

Have you or someone you know used a court appointed attorney or Public Defender? What was your experience?

Court records are public records and are available upon request. They contain a case file with a sheet called a docket sheet and all of the documents and motions filed in the course of your case. You, and anyone else, can access your court case records using the online service, or at the Clerk of Court.

The Monroe County Clerk of Court is an officer and clerk of the court that maintains court records. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath for all court participants, and also read the verdict when delivered by the jury. All records and documents associated with your case are held at the Monroe County Clerk of Court.

Court fees are the charges associated with your case, such as filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you are low income and have a court appointed attorney, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

The Monroe County magistrate is the type of judge that presides over your case in court. They do a number of things, such as determining how much your bail will be, issuing arrest warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court appearances and detention hearings.

A pre-sentencing report is put together with information about your background and information about the arrestee’s life, which the magistrate judge will review and take into account when determining a sentence. Information will be solicited from the person on trial, their family, and in some cases the victim. Bear in mind you are allowed to request to see your own copy of the report prior to sentencing, and review it and correct any mistakes.

After you are convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. There are several different options for sentencing, including community service to probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on the severity of the crime, you could be taken into custody immediately, or you could get a date to go to jail to do your time.

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Want to find out if somebody you know is currently in jail, or has ever been in jail?

This is pretty easy to do, simply you will have to go to the Monroe County jail website, and do a search using:

• Their name.
• Date of birth.
• Their booking date.
• and their jail ID.

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

If you think you might have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can access arrest warrants inquiry online or call the court directly. This requires a first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask one of the officers. You should know that if there is a warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, as well as their arrest date, contact the jail, on the phone, go there in person, or you can check online. Arrest records are a matter of public record and this information is accessible by the public.

Civil processes are when you get served with legal papers, which can be warrants. You can find these by contacting the Monroe County Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All convicted sex offenders are registered on a sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You are able to see these offenders online, but you should know that you will not get the precise address, but only the neighborhood block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. Court Records include a court case file that includes a docket sheet and all filings and documents filed in your court case. You can access the court records on the website, or at the Monroe County Clerk of Court office in the county where the case was filed.

Every state maintains a record of their state citizen’s criminal background. These state databases are all linked so you are able to track criminal histories from another state. Go to county courthouse and inquire in person, or you can check the website. It helps to know the county, and if the crime was in a different state entirely, you may have to pay a fee for a more comprehensive search.

A criminal records search you are able to get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for the following crimes:

• DWI or DUI.
• Drug offenses.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes like assault or murder.
• Breaking and entering, theft, larceny.

If you do a criminal records check, you will not discover if someone has had any infractions like moving violations:

• Speeding tickets.
• Drivers license suspended or revoked.
• Any accidents.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To find this information, you will have to do a search for their driving record.

Have you ever needed to find criminal records? How hard was it? Did you do your search online or did you make a phone call to the courthouse? Was it correct? There are plenty of reasons that people look up criminal backgrounds and records, and your comments could help other people.

Speak Your Mind

Most Wanted

The FBI has a listing of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Monroe County, the Sheriff keeps their own list of most wanted criminals and fugitives.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List

Monroe County Sheriff’s Department Ten Most Wanted List: Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that getting locked up in Monroe County Jail is something you wish you could avoid, soon you will get accustomed to the routine that is set for you. Expect a wake-up alarm at 6am, and then you’ll have roll call. After roll call you will have breakfast. Following breakfast you will have to work 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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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 procedure to send money to inmates changes, so you should visit the official Monroe County Jail site when send money to someone in jail 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 Monroe County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Monroe 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 Monroe 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 post a 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:

• The right to protection from the accused.
• The right to notification.
• The right to attend proceedings.
• The right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• The right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• The right to restitution.
• The right to a speedy trial.
• 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 a prisoner at Monroe County Jail? Do you know someone that is an inmate there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate at Monroe County Jail?

If so, then we would like you to write a review about it. Write down your experience so that other people will know what to expect.

Things you could write in your comment:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail layout and facility
• Jail staff and Guards
• Jail food and commissary
• Having Visitors
• Inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gang activity
• Inmate activities and programs


Let Everyone Know

Tell Your Story

Anybody that’s ever been locked up has a story to tell. Why’d you get arrested? Were you mistreated? How was life in jail? How did you get along with the other inmates? How has this experience impacted your life?

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

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Are you trying to reconnect with a person you met in jail? Write your message below.

Send a message to people incarcerated at Monroe County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Monroe County Jail Website
Monroe County Jail Inmate Search
Monroe County Jail Mugshots
Monroe County Jail Bail Amount Link

Monroe County Jail Visitation Procedures
Monroe County Jail Jail Mail Policy Link
Monroe County Jail Inmate Inquiry Link
Monroe County Warrant Inquiry
Monroe County Jail Arrest Lookup
Send Funds to an Inmate at Monroe County Jail
Jobs at Monroe County Jail


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