Buchanan County IA Correctional Facility

Buchanan County IA Correctional Facility basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 319-334-2568

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Buchanan County IA Correctional Facility is a medium-security detention center located at 210 5th Ave NE Independence, IA which is operated locally by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Buchanan County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Independence Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

Constructed in 2010, the Correctional Facility is capable of housing up to 46 inmates. These inmates range from individuals brought in after arrest by Buchanan County Sheriff's Deputies, area police officers and State Troopers, inmates that are "overflow" from other county jails and inmates that are being housed for the Federal Government.

Upon booking in to the Buchanan County Jail, immediate segregation of male from female, and juvenile from adult, will occur and remain so for the duration of your stay. Charges pending against you, while incarcerated at the Buchanan County Jail, are not a concern of the jail staff. We have no desire to discuss your pending court case, as that is a matter between you, your lawyer, and the court.

Rules and Regulations
Each cell block is issued a Resident’s Handbook (Inmates may request a copy for themselves). Inmates are responsible for this handbook while incarcerated. Upon release from the Buchanan County Jail, you will be required to return the handbook to the Jail Booking Officer undamaged. This booklet is your rule book while you are in the Buchanan County Jail. It has been prepared for your safety, well being, and the safe and efficient operation of this jail. You should read the booklet carefully and completely so that you will know what conduct is expected of you, and what services are available to you in jail. No one desires to be “locked up,” but the court has directed that we keep you in confinement. Your attitude and actions will determine how you are treated by others while you are here. Failure to read this handbook will not be considered an acceptable reason for non-compliance of the contents herein. Any alteration, modification, destruction or loss of this handbook by you will be considered to be theft or destruction of Buchanan County property. Failure to return it in the condition you received it will result in you being charged with a simple misdemeanor.

Inmate Handbook

visitation Info

Buchanan County Correctional Facility – Visitation

Visitation Hours

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
• 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (excluding holidays). 

Inmates will be permitted a 30-minute visit per visitor on a first come first serve basis. Each visitor will get one (1) visit per week.. Persons need to be pre-approved by the Jail Administrator to visit. Please call the Correctional Center at (319) 334-2017 for additional information.

Visitors who are disruptive or abusive towards jail personnel, who fail to present proper identification upon entry to the jail, or who fail to follow the orders of the jail personnel will be prohibited from the jail visitation area.

Visitors are prohibited from bringing any items to the jail for residents other than those authorized by the jail administrator [see personal property].

Inmates’ attorney and/or clergy may be allowed to confer with you between 7:00 am and 11:00 am, between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm Monday thru Friday. Attorney and clergy are allowed visitation at other times based on emergency need, security, and housekeeping considerations. The hours are set to allow for the timely and orderly serving of meals and the completion of housekeeping duties. The Jail Administrator must be contacted and advised of the desired dates/times when visitation is requested.

Visitation is permitted to those inmates that have filled out the proper visitation worksheet. All visitors must not have been incarcerated in the past 12 months at this facility or any other correctional facility. Visitation list can be changed twice (2) a month, on the 15th and the 30th of each month.

All visits will be NON CONTACT VISITS. An inmate who has been sentenced and is pending transport to another institution may, upon request, be granted special consideration if he/she has complied with all the rules, regulation, policies and procedures while in the Buchanan County Jail.

Only adults will be allowed in the Buchanan County Jail. Juveniles will not be allowed into the jail area under any circumstances.