Home / Directory / Iowa / Buchanan County Correctional Facility — Independence, Iowa
Buchanan County Correctional Facility — Independence, Iowa
Only the active adult Sheriff correctional facility is in scope. Current official procedures are hosted locally; unresolved operational points are labeled with a responsible contact.
JAIL411 / FAMILY FIELD GUIDE
Buchanan County Correctional Facility family guide
Sources reviewed
Current adult Buchanan County Sheriff correctional facility at 210 5th Ave. NE only
- Identity, boundaries and custody lookup
Confirm the active facility and live custody before using a provider or making a payment.
- Visits, video and phone
Use the published visit schedule and confirm approval, identification and exceptions before travel.
- Mail, publications, packages and money
Use Reliance only for the verified Buchanan phone-card task unless staff confirms another product.
- Medical, mental health, grievance, ADA and PREA
Keep personal/legal mail, publications, packages, trust and commissary separate and confirm unpublished destinations.
- Court, counsel, bond, property and release
Route medical, grievance, ADA and PREA issues through the correct jail or county channel and document the answer.
- Parking, transit, lodging, food and community help
Verify court, counsel, bond, property and release separately; a docket does not promise release.
- Reentry, supervision, veterans and final checklist
Reserve transportation, confirm final access and prepare reentry contacts before travel.
Identity, boundaries and custody lookup
Practical steps with explicit local gaps.
Use the active 2010 Correctional Facility
The active adult Sheriff facility is the Buchanan County Correctional Facility at 210 5th Ave. NE, Independence, IA 50644. The current direct correctional line is 319-334-2017; the Sheriff FAQ also routes jail calls through 319-334-2568 option 3.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · Buchanan County Sheriff — Contact Us
Keep jail custody separate from neighboring systems
This guide covers the adult Sheriff correctional facility only. The courthouse, prosecutor, Independence/Fairbank/Jesup police, youth matters, First District supervision, state or federal prisons, immigration detention, mental-health institute and any contract jail have different records and rules.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff · Iowa Judicial Branch — Buchanan County District Court · Iowa DOC — First Judicial District · Iowa DOC — Districts and Prisons · Federal Bureau of Prisons — Inmate Locator · ICE — Online Detainee Locator
Do not use the former 1976 Public Safety Center
The Sheriff moved from the courthouse to a Public Safety Center attached north of it in 1976, then began operating from the new building south of the courthouse in July 2010. Route jail tasks to the current 2010 building and confirm the public entrance before travel.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County Sheriff — Contact Us
Treat 46 beds as facility evidence only
The Sheriff currently describes a 46-bed facility. That does not state today’s population, staffed beds, classification space, receiving capacity or release timing. Use the roster and correctional staff for a named person, never the bed count.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County — Inmate Search
Start with the official once-daily search and IowaVINE
Search the Buchanan inmate page with the exact legal name and save the displayed spelling, charge, status and check time. The county says its information updates once daily; use IowaVINE for notifications and call 319-334-2017 before travel, mail or payment.
Sources: Buchanan County — Inmate Search · Iowa DOC — Victim Services and VINE · Iowa Attorney General — IowaVINE · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
A blank result does not prove release
Retry spelling, hyphens and prior names; allow booking time; then ask correctional staff whether the person is still being booked, at court, hospitalized, transferred, held for another agency or not in Buchanan custody. Iowa Courts shows a case, not a live bed location.
Sources: Buchanan County — Inmate Search · Iowa Courts Online Search · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Use the contact that controls the task
Use 319-334-2017 or 319-334-2568 option 3 for custody and local jail rules, 319-334-2196 for filed court orders, assigned counsel for legal advice, 800-896-3201 for Reliance account failures and 319-233-5213 for OnBoard trips.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · Iowa Judicial Branch — Buchanan County District Court · Reliance Telephone — Customer Contact · OnBoard Public Transit
Visits, video and phone
Practical steps with explicit local gaps.
Use the published weekday visit window
Current official pages publish visits Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays, limited to once per week. Confirm the date, arrival cutoff, duration and whether the person is eligible before leaving home.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions
Get approval before travel
Visitors must be pre-approved. One page says Correctional Staff approves; the FAQ says the Jail Administrator. Call the correctional line, give the visitor’s exact legal name and ask how approval is requested, recorded and confirmed.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions
Confirm acceptable identification and storage
Buchanan does not publish accepted photo IDs, expired-ID alternatives, background checks, dress, belongings, lockers, vehicle storage, check-in cutoff or no-show consequences. Ask staff and record the answer before travel.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Verify every minor rule before arrival
The local age threshold, parent or guardian requirement, birth certificate or custody papers, number of children, supervision and infant-supply rule are unpublished. Do not bring a child until correctional staff confirms the exact documents and conditions.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Ask about special and confidential visits
No current Buchanan page publishes long-distance, emergency, clergy, interpreter, disability or confidential attorney-visit procedures. Ask correctional staff for the request channel and lead time; attorneys should coordinate directly rather than use family rules.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities · Buchanan County — Title VI and ADA
Do not assume video visitation exists
The county verifies Reliance only for purchasing an inmate phone card. No current official source reviewed proves onsite or remote video visits, a video app, schedule, price, free option or refund rule at Buchanan. Keep the published in-person schedule unless staff says otherwise.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · Reliance Telephone — Communication Options · Reliance Telephone — Policies
Verify a Buchanan-specific product before paying
If staff confirms video, open Reliance through the Buchanan facility selection, match the person’s exact name and identifier, verify the visit type and price, and save the confirmation. A generic vendor page is not local permission.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · Reliance Telephone — Support · Reliance Telephone — Communication Options
Separate technical failure from jail restriction
For a confirmed video product, test camera, microphone, permissions and connection; save the time, screenshot and transaction ID. Call 800-896-3201 for vendor or billing trouble and 319-334-2017 for housing, lockdown, discipline or eligibility restrictions.
Sources: Reliance Telephone — Support · Reliance Telephone — Customer Contact · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Reliance is verified for phone cards
The Sheriff directs families to Reliance, selecting Iowa and Buchanan County Jail, to buy an inmate phone card. The county does not publish call hours, duration, monitoring, local rates, blocked-number rules or transfer/refund terms.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · Reliance Telephone — Policies
Match the facility, person and telephone number
Use only the Buchanan County Jail result in Reliance. Enter the recipient and telephone number exactly, review the enabled account type and fees, start with a small amount, and retain the confirmation and transaction ID.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · Reliance Telephone — Support · Reliance Telephone — Communication Options
Diagnose account, device and jail causes separately
Check funding, blocked numbers, carrier spam settings, identity verification and whether the correct person/facility was selected. Reliance handles account and billing failures at 800-896-3201; correctional staff handles jail restrictions and housing access.
Sources: Reliance Telephone — Support · Reliance Telephone — Policies · Reliance Telephone — Customer Contact · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Mail, publications, packages and money
Practical steps with explicit local gaps.
Confirm the exact personal-mail destination
No current official Buchanan source reviewed publishes the personal-mail address, required inmate identifier, envelope format, scanning vendor, return-address rule or original-item handling. Call 319-334-2017 before sending anything; do not infer that the shared street address accepts personal mail.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County Sheriff — Contact Us · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Keep legal mail distinct and confirm handling
State rules protect privileged mail procedures, but Buchanan does not publish its legal-mail address, addressee format, attorney marking, inspection practice or electronic legal-message option. Counsel should confirm directly with correctional staff.
Sources: Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Ask before sending books, photos or clippings
Local limits for photos, print size, books, publisher-direct orders, newspapers, magazines, clippings, cards, drawings and rejection notices are unpublished. State baselines do not create a Buchanan package privilege.
Sources: Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Do not send a package without written approval
No current county source identifies an approved package program, clothing exception, medical-device drop-off or release-clothing process. Ask correctional staff who may authorize an item, where it goes and how rejection or return works.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Do not infer a deposit provider
The county publishes a Reliance phone-card path, not a trust-account deposit method. No current official source reviewed proves online, phone, kiosk, mail or lobby deposits, accepted payers, identifiers, fees, holds or refunds. Call before payment.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Confirm commissary and indigent supplies
Current local ordering days, spending limits, prices, delivery, substitutions, debt deductions, indigent hygiene/writing supplies and package relationship are unpublished. Ask correctional staff; do not treat a commercial facility listing as confirmation.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Protect the receipt and stop duplicate payments
Before retrying, verify the exact facility, person, account type and pending status. Save receipt, amount, time and transaction ID. The phone-card vendor handles its charge; correctional staff must identify any separate trust or commissary channel.
Sources: Reliance Telephone — Support · Reliance Telephone — Customer Contact · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Medical, mental health, grievance, ADA and PREA
Practical steps with explicit local gaps.
Contracted care is verified; the provider is not named
The Sheriff says contracted medical and mental-health professionals support the jail. It does not name the contractor, publish clinic hours, copays, records contact or family-information channel. Direct time-sensitive health facts to 319-334-2017.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Use emergency channels for immediate danger
Call 911 for an active community emergency. If the person is already jailed, call 319-334-2017, state the exact name, symptom, timing and immediate risk, and ask staff to relay it to clinical personnel; do not rely on email or social media.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Send concise, verifiable health information
Ask correctional staff how to deliver a medication list, pharmacy/prescriber contact, allergies, glasses or mobility-device details. Privacy rules may limit what staff can disclose, but families can provide information and ask that it be documented.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Route crisis information without delay
For self-harm, withdrawal, psychosis or other immediate risk in custody, call correctional staff now. For a community crisis outside custody, the Iowa HHS directory lists Foundation 2 at 855-581-8111 for Buchanan; it is not the jail clinical line.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa HHS — Mobile Crisis Response
Do not bring medication without instructions
Buchanan does not publish whether families may deliver prescription containers, pharmacy labels, glasses, hearing aids or medical devices. Call first and ask what the clinician needs, who may deliver it and where; never leave medication at an unconfirmed door.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Ask for the jail grievance procedure and deadline
State standards require a grievance path, but no current local page publishes forms, informal step, appeal, emergency route, outside review or deadlines. Ask staff for the written procedure and retain dates, names and copies.
Sources: Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Request jail access and county accommodation separately
For a visit or jail service, call correctional staff and describe the functional need. Buchanan County asks for public-program accommodation requests no later than 72 hours before the event through its ADA coordinators, but that county route does not replace an urgent custody request.
Sources: Buchanan County — Title VI and ADA · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Ask for Buchanan-specific PREA reporting options
No current Buchanan jail page reviewed publishes an anonymous or third-party PREA hotline, mailing address or outside advocate. For immediate danger call 911; otherwise ask 319-334-2017 for confidential reporting and preserve details without confronting an alleged perpetrator.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Court, counsel, bond, property and release
Practical steps with explicit local gaps.
Use court records for the case, not live custody
Search Iowa Courts for the docket, then confirm filed orders with the Buchanan Clerk at 319-334-2196. A hearing, bond entry or dismissal on the docket does not by itself prove that jail processing or release is complete.
Sources: Iowa Courts Online Search · Iowa Judicial Branch — Buchanan County District Court · Buchanan County — Inmate Search
Confirm the assigned lawyer through the case
The initial-appearance judge determines eligibility for appointed counsel. Use the court record or Clerk to identify the actual lawyer; the Waterloo Adult Public Defender at 319-291-2535 is a regional office lead, not proof it handles a particular case.
Sources: Buchanan County Attorney — Process of a Criminal Case · Iowa Judicial Branch — Buchanan County District Court · Iowa State Public Defender — Waterloo Adult
Verify the exact order and payment path
The county does not publish a universal jail bond-payment method, accepted tender, payer ID, kiosk, fee or refund rule. Confirm the filed amount and conditions with the court, then ask correctional staff exactly where and how the case-specific bond may be posted.
Sources: Iowa Judicial Branch — Buchanan County District Court · Buchanan County Attorney — Process of a Criminal Case · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Expect case-specific initial-appearance timing
The prosecutor’s process guide explains that the magistrate advises charges, rights, counsel and bail conditions at initial appearance. Buchanan does not publish a fixed family-facing magistrate schedule; call the jail and check the docket rather than promising a time.
Sources: Buchanan County Attorney — Process of a Criminal Case · Iowa Courts Online Search · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Confirm who may collect property and what proof is needed
No current local source publishes property-release authorization, pickup hours, ID, abandoned-property deadline, vehicle/key handling or clothing exchange. Ask 319-334-2017 before travel and bring only the documents staff confirms.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Do not promise a release time or door
No current Buchanan source publishes routine release windows, pickup entrance, after-hours waiting, transfer notices or delay estimates. A court order still requires jail verification and processing. Confirm custody and pickup instructions before anyone departs.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Courts Online Search · Buchanan County Attorney — Process of a Criminal Case
Ask how remaining funds and documents are returned
The county does not publish whether a released person receives cash, check, debit card, property bag, medication, identification or records. Ask during release planning and verify any fee or negative balance before assuming funds are available.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa Administrative Code — 201 Chapter 50 Jail Facilities
Parking, transit, lodging, food and community help
Practical steps with explicit local gaps.
Confirm the jail entrance and visitor parking
The jail shares the 210 5th Ave. NE government campus, but no current official source identifies the visitor lot, accessible spaces, drop-off curb, overnight restriction or after-hours waiting area for the Correctional Facility. Call before driving.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Contact Us · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County — Title VI and ADA
Use OnBoard as advance-reservation transit
OnBoard serves Buchanan County and is open to the general public, including people with disabilities. Published transit hours are Monday–Friday 6:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; reservations must be made 24 hours ahead at 319-233-5213 or 1-800-369-3022.
Sources: OnBoard Public Transit · INRCOG — Transit · OnBoard Public Transit — Riders Guide
Book the exact address and return trip
Tell dispatch the date, visit check-in need, 210 5th Ave. NE destination, mobility/language assistance, exact loading point and return plan. Reservation-office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; they are not the same as service hours.
Sources: OnBoard Public Transit · OnBoard Public Transit — Riders Guide
No fixed stop or final walk is verified
OnBoard is demand scheduled. No official source reviewed names a jail stop, loading door, final sidewalk route, after-hours waiting place or guaranteed release pickup. Ask dispatch and correctional staff to agree on the exact accessible pickup point.
Sources: OnBoard Public Transit · INRCOG — Transit · Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division
Treat seven dates as service evidence, not bookings
For October 1–7, 2026, the published calendar supports potential service on Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with no regular Saturday or Sunday service published. Every trip still needs 24-hour advance acceptance.
Sources: OnBoard Public Transit · OnBoard Public Transit — Riders Guide
Use the tourism directory and call directly
Buchanan County Tourism lists local lodging, including Comfort Inn & Suites and Super 8, but does not guarantee price, vacancy, accessibility, cancellation terms or distance to the jail. Call the property and confirm before payment; visitor help is 319-334-3439.
Sources: Buchanan County Tourism — Stay · Buchanan County Tourism — Contact
Use the verified food-pantry contact
Iowa HHS lists Independence Area Food Pantry at 1413 1st St. W for Buchanan County. The direct pantry posts weekday hours and asks people to call 319-334-2451 for appointments; confirm current eligibility and pickup before traveling.
Sources: Iowa HHS — Independence Area Food Pantry · Independence Area Food Pantry — Contact
Use county services for benefits and disability navigation
Buchanan Community Services is in the courthouse lower level at 210 5th Ave. NE, 319-334-7450; Iowa HHS is at 1415 1st St. W, 319-334-6091 or 800-642-6609. These are community supports, not jail release authorities.
Sources: Buchanan County Community Services — Contact · Iowa HHS — Buchanan County DHS
Reentry, supervision, veterans and final checklist
Practical steps with explicit local gaps.
Start reentry planning before release is final
Ask staff which identification, medication, property and supervision documents will leave with the person. Separately contact HHS, Community Services, the food pantry and transportation. None of those agencies can confirm a jail release time.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Iowa HHS — Buchanan County DHS · Buchanan County Community Services — Contact · Iowa HHS — Independence Area Food Pantry · OnBoard Public Transit
Keep First District supervision separate
The Iowa DOC First District lists an Independence office at 210 5th Ave. NE, but probation, parole, pretrial and community-based corrections are not jail custody. Confirm the assigned officer and reporting terms from the actual court or supervision paperwork.
Sources: Iowa DOC — First Judicial District · Buchanan County Attorney — Process of a Criminal Case · Iowa Judicial Branch — Buchanan County District Court
Use Veterans Affairs and General Assistance for eligible needs
The county office at 210 5th Ave. NE lower level, 319-334-7450, publishes help with rent, utilities, groceries and urgent prescriptions, plus food-pantry referrals. Call about eligibility and documents; it does not control release.
Sources: Buchanan County Veterans Affairs — Contact · Buchanan County Veterans Affairs — Financial Assistance
Verify every irreversible step one last time
Before traveling, mailing or paying, recheck live custody, exact address/entrance, visit approval, accepted ID, provider/facility selection, payment destination, transit reservation and release status. Save names, times, receipts and screenshots.
Sources: Buchanan County Sheriff — Correctional Division · Buchanan County — Inmate Search · Buchanan County Sheriff — Frequently Asked Questions · OnBoard Public Transit · Reliance Telephone — Support
Original directory record & nearby facilities Open preserved information
This section preserves the earlier Jail411 directory information, including historical figures and contacts. Use the dated, sourced family guide above for the instructions covered there. Other local facilities have their own rules.
Facility record / Iowa
Buchanan County Correctional Facility is a county or city jail in Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa. It has a rated capacity of 46. By capacity it is the 19th-largest of the 56 county or city jail records listed for Iowa with a published capacity.
Jail411 does not hold custody records. A listing here does not mean anyone is held at this address. Confirm the person’s location with the responsible agency before you travel, send money, or pay for a service.
Where this record came from. The contact, status and security fields, with capacity and population, come from the HIFLD and Federal Bureau of Prisons directory release refreshed February 2026. They describe the record, not today’s population. Check the facility’s current official website.
Contact this facility
- Phone
- (319) 334-2017
- Address
- 210 5Th Avenue Northeast
Independence, IA 50644Open in maps - Official page
- Official page at buchanancountyiowa.org
- County
- Buchanan County
Facility details
Listed as open in the February 2026 directory release.
Finding someone held here
Use the county system for a recent arrest. A state corrections search covers people in state custody. It generally will not list someone booked into a county jail this week. Bookings, bail, release, and visiting are all handled by Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.
Official site for this facility →
Call this facility directly: (319) 334-2017
Before you travel, pay, or mail anything
Get two things first: which facility the person is actually in, and their booking or ID number. Almost nothing works without them. Then check this facility’s current instructions — rules and service providers change.
Clear information.
Clear boundaries.
Jail411 is an independent information resource for families and friends. We are not a government agency, jail operator, law firm or live custody-records service.
Can Jail411 tell me if someone is in custody right now?
No. Jail411 does not hold live custody records. Use the official locator for the county, state, federal or ICE system that has the person; start here if you do not know which.
Does posting bond mean the person comes home?
Not always. A probation or parole hold, another county's warrant or an immigration detainer can keep someone in custody after bond is posted. Ask the jail what holds are on the booking before you pay.
What should I confirm before visiting?
The person's current facility, the visiting schedule, approval requirements, accepted identification and arrival instructions. Check the facility page and its official sources before you travel.
What if I find something that needs correcting?
Send us the page and the detail that needs attention. Include the official source when you have one. Do not send private booking documents or other sensitive personal information.
Plan the next step.
Practical guides for calls, visits, mail, money and release.