O'Brien County Jail

O'Brien County Jail basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 712-957-5245

The O'Brien County Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 240 1st St NE Pringhar, IA which is operated locally by the O'Brien 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. O'Brien County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Pringhar Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

Information about an arrestee’s charges(s) and bond is generally available after an arrest by calling (712) 957-5245. Depending on the charge, there may not always be a bond. This would require the inmate to see the Magistrate or Judge prior to being released. You may contact the Clerk of Court at (712) 957-3255 for more information about posting bail or bonding someone out at the courthouse.

Intake & Release Process
Individuals who have been placed under arrest are transported to the O’Brien County Jail. Upon arrival, they must complete the
following steps:

• Property Intake
• Medical Screening
• Fingerprinting
• Photographing
• Warrants Check

Incoming mail is delivered to inmates Monday through Friday. Inmate mail will only be accepted through mail service and will not be accepted from individuals at the jail.

• All incoming mail is opened and searched for contraband (such as checks, inappropriate photos, matches, lighters,
• cigarettes, jewelry, food, unknown substances on paper etc.)
• Mail sent by legal representatives is opened only in the presence of the inmate addressee.
• No staples are allowed in mail
• Tape & stickers may be removed from mail
• Inmates may receive letters and cards.
• Personal checks are not accepted. Cash, cashiers checks or money orders and the only accepted forms of currency.
• Unauthorized items mailed to an inmate will be placed in their property locker or disposed of as appropriate. Inmates will
• receive items not disposed of upon their release.
• If an inmate has been released or is transferred to another facility all mail will be returned to sender.

Inmate Property

• four (4) pairs of white socks
• four (4) white t-shirts NO POCKETS and these must be purchased from the jail
• four (4) pair boxers or underwear any combination
• All personal clothing that is received either from visitors or mail must be new and still in original packaging
• Books and magazines sent directly from the publisher will be accepted only if sent by the publisher. They must be prepaid prior to arriving. Inmates are not allowed to send money out for these orders. If they contain staples they will not be permitted.

Inmate Commissary Account
A commissary account is established for each inmate upon arrival. All monies applied towards this may be used for candy, paper, stamped envelopes, shampoo, conditioner, pop, lined paper, body lotion etc. Any inmate commissary balance will be refunded to the inmate in the form of either cash or money order upon their release or transport to another agency or facility. Inmates are allowed to have a maximum of $100 in their account. Anything more than that may not be accepted and returned to sender.

Money may be released for the following reasons only:
1. Attorney fees
2. To pay said inmate’s fines
3. To post said inmate’s own bond
4. Commissary Supplies
5. To make work release payments.

Meals - Inmates in General population status receive 3 meals per day which follow a prescribed dietary meal plan.

Medical - If an inmate becomes ill while incarcerated in the O’Brien County jail the inmate must fill out a request for medical attention (emergency situations may not allow the inmate to make a request in writing). The staff will then make arrangements through the O’Brien County designated medical provider. There is a $5.00 administrative fee for medical practitioners/doctor appointments. Over the counter medications may be available. Inmates are charged 30 cents per dose. If an inmate has pharmaceutical needs from a previous or current ailment, medications are purchased from the designated pharmacy and dispensed by jail staff at the prescribed time and prescribed dosage. All jail staff have received medication management training with the State of Iowa. Inmates may be required to pay for services received. Iowa law allows the recovery of medical costs paid by the county on behalf of county jail inmates while incarcerated within the county jail.

Jail officers are dedicated to ensuring the prompt processing and release of eligible arrestees. The amount of time required to complete this process may be affected by several things: the number of arrestees being processed, the cooperation of the arrestee and other scheduled tasks in the jail.

There are four ways an inmate may be released.

1. Bond- as determined by a magistrate judge
2. Pre-trial Release – if the subject is unable to bond, they may apply through the O’Brien County Court House. If the inmate meets the criteria they will be released on their own recognizance with their promise to appear at their next scheduled court hearing.
3. Final court appearance and sentencing- as determined by the District Court judge per court order.
4. Appearance in Magistrate Court - Arrestees are generally seen in Magistrate Court within 24 hours for new charges if they are unable to bond out. The time that the Magistrate or Judge comes in for a hearing is at their discretion. The judge will inform the arrestee of the charge(s) and, if appropriate, will set a bail/bond amount. If arrestees are arrested for prior charges that were not satisfied by an earlier judgement or failure to appear, contact jail staff and they will advise you of their status. If an arrestee cannot afford an attorney he/she may apply for a court-appointed attorney either through the courthouse or may pick up an application prior to being released if the charge is greater than a simple misdemeanor.