How Do I...
Get Property Released?
The Black Hawk County Jail will release inmate property within the following criteria:
- If the inmate in question has been transported to prison, the inmate will have the opportunity to have their property picked up by a designated person. This will only occur after the inmate has left our facility.
- If the inmate has left our facility, for permanent placement elsewhere, their property will go with them at time of transfer.
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In situations requiring a demonstrated need, an inmate may request permission to the Housing Sergeant to have personal property released to a specified person that is not incarcerated. If this request is approved by the Sergeant and you are the person that the inmate has specified to pick up the property, you will be contacted to arrange a time to come to the Sheriff’s Office to get that property.
Send an Inmate Mail?
Mail can be sent to inmate's at the following address:
(Inmate name)
Black Hawk County Jail
225 East 6th St.
Waterloo, IA 50703
*Include a return address on any correspondence sent
*This is the same address for sending money
All personal mail is subject to search. Personal mail will be scanned and delivered to the inmate via electronic messaging system.
Subjects in pictures must be fully clothed.
All books must be pre-approved by the Jail Administrator and shipped from the publisher or directly from Amazon.com. No third party book sellers are allowed.
For more information about inmate mail, please visit the Inmate Mailing Address Page
Send an Inmate money?
Inmates can receive money for their account by money orders or certified cashier's check sent to the jail using a delivery service (i.e. USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.). Money orders and cashier's checks must be filled out with the inmate's name and mailed to the following address:
(Inmate's name)
Black Hawk County Jail
225 East 6th St.
Waterloo, IA 50703
**Please include a return address.
Cash can no longer be brought to the front counter at the Sheriff's Office:
Cash and or credit cards can be used to deposit money on an inmate's account by using the kiosk in the front lobby entrance.
Money can also be deposited online at:
Team3.inmatecanteen.com
This is for inmate commissary only, and cannot be applied to an inmate phone account.
The kiosk in the lobby entrance is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Visit an Inmate?
While in the Black Hawk County Jail, inmates are entitled to reasonable contact with their families and friends, unless this privilege has been restricted by disciplinary sanctions for a specified period of time.
Each inmate can receive one visit per day for 30 minutes.
Inmate Visitation hours are as follows:
General Population visitation (pods B, C, D, E, F) are Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30AM - 10:30AM and 12:30PM - 2:00PM (every 30 minutes). There is also visitation on Monday and Wednesday night at 7:00PM and 7:30PM.
Maximum Security (A pod) inmates housed in A2 are only allowed one visit per week. Inmates housed in A1 or A3 are allowed up to two visits per week. A pod visitation utilizes the same hours as listed above with the exception of 7:00PM and 7:30 PM. A Pod visitation is broken down by days of the week allowed. Those days are as follows:
A1 Monday or Thursday
A2 Wednesday
A3 Tuesday or Friday
Visitors need to be signed in no later than 10 minutes prior to the start of the next visitation (30 minute) session. Space is limited, expect delays when visiting an inmate.
Visitors are expected to adhere to policies and procedures of the Jail.
* The Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office reserves the right to refuse visitor access.
* Visitors must be at least 18 years old with a valid picture ID
* Children accompanying visitors may not be left unattended for any reason.
* No hats, hoodies, bandanas, do-rags, or any other head gear are allowed
* Shirts must cover the shoulders; casual sweaters are acceptable
* Shorts and skirts can not be shorter than mid-thigh
* No purses, briefcases, bags, cell phones or papers of any kind can be taken to the visitation area
Lockers are available for storage of valuables
Visitors who violate these rules may be restricted, and possibly banned from visiting any inmate in the future.
Pay Room and Board?
Information in regards to room and boarding fees at the BHC Jail.
Booking Fee $25.00
Room and Board $70.00 per day
Payments can be brought in or mailed to the Sheriff's Office.
To obtain the following; contact 319-291-5029:
- Balance due
- Adjust payment plan
- Get copy of payment plan
- Check on any credits
Failure to keep payment arrangements will result in any or all of the following:
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Driver's License revocation
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Refusal to renew vehicle registration
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Withholding of Iowa State Income Tax refund
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Contempt of Court charges
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Garnishments/Executions of Wages/Assets
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Liens on Real Property
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Forfeiture of money owed to you by Clerk of Court
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Collection by County Attorney
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Collection by the Dept. of Revenue and Finance with a 10% late penalty attached
Get an Inmate out of Jail
To get an inmate out of jail prior to final court disposition you can utilize either of two methods.
1. Post Cash Bond
2. Post Bond through a Bonding Agency
CASH BOND
To post a cash bond, first verify with the Jail the amount of bond by calling 291-2587 ext. 5244 or checking this website.
During regular business hours take the cash and go to the Black Hawk County Courthouse, 3rd floor, and present the cash to the Clerk of Courts. A certificate will be given to you verifying the bond is paid. Bring that certificate to the front counter of the Sheriff's Office and give it to the attendant.
After regular business hours, bring the correct cash amount directly to the BHC Sheriff's Office.
BONDING AGENCY
To post bond utilizing a bonding agency, you need to contact one of the various agencies in the area. The phone numbers for the agencies can be found in the phone book. The bonding agencies will work with you and come up with the terms and conditions of posting bond for an inmate's release. The bonding agencies are completely separate from the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office, and the Sheriff's Office does not recommend or discredit any bonding agency.
Set up a Phone Account?
To set up an inmate phone account with GTL, you can:
If you have problems with an existing account, call 1-877-650-4249.