How do I confirm someone is at the Polk County Jail?
Polk gives you a second check: the sheriff links a current inmate listing at polkinmates.polkcountyiowa.gov. Use it alongside ICE's Online Detainee Locator. Then call (515) 323-5400 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. with the name, aliases, date of birth and country of birth. The public lobby is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn who the deportation officer is, ICE's page gives the Omaha sub-office at (402) 536-4861, and a G-28 must be on file. The ICE St. Paul Field Office is (612) 409-7799. ICE dated its Polk page August 6, 2026.
When are on-site and remote visits?
ICE lists on-site visits Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; none Friday or Saturday. Remote hours appear three ways. ICE gives 8-10 a.m., 12-4:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m., and also 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the sheriff gives 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The last two exclude 11 a.m.-12 p.m., 3-4 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Rely on the slots shown when booking, one day to 3 weeks ahead. ICE names iwebvisit.com; the sheriff names ICSolutions, with registration 24 hours ahead.
What do home visits cost, and are they private?
The sheriff's page says home visits cost $0.25 per minute, up to 25 minutes, and you need at least $6.25 in an ICSolutions prepaid account to schedule one. The charge is taken at booking and returned if the visit is cancelled; unused minutes are refunded. The same page allows each person one on-site and one remote visit at no cost per week, without explaining how that fits the $6.25 rule, so ask first. Download and test the app beforehand. Someone at court or in any program cannot visit then. Everyone must be on camera, nobody may drive, and visits are always recorded and monitored.
What can get a visit denied, and who handles case questions?
Skirts and shorts must reach mid-thigh; tank tops, halter tops and spaghetti straps are barred. ICE's page says visitors with known felony charges shall be denied, while the sheriff says pending felony charges known to staff may bring denial. Anyone who appears under the influence is turned away, and tobacco, gum, soda and food are banned. Case information requests go to StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov, which takes no stay or appeal filings. ICE lists only the court line 1-800-898-7180, so use the guide to finding a hearing and court. The bond hearing guide covers custody; compare the Iowa facilities.
Who handles case questions and packages for release?
Commissary deposits go through accesscatalog.com, and phone deposits through ICSolutions, icsolutions.com or 888-506-8407, which also offers a 30-second voicemail for $0.25. ICE's page mentions tablets for messages and cautions against mailed cash. Send mail by USPS to the person's full name, Polk County Jail, 1985 - NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313-2517, with your full return address and, for ICE, the last four digits of the A-number. Five photographs are allowed, 4 x 6 inches or smaller, by mail only, no Polaroids. The sheriff takes no packages; ICE allows travel or release items by mail with the deportation officer's approval, so call (515) 323-2413.