How to Contact an Inmate at Dallas County Jail, IA (IA)
Want to message an inmate, set up video visits, or add money to an account at Dallas County Jail? You'll need to get set up through the jail's approved system first. Here's how to do it, plus mail rules that often catch people off guard.
To create an account for inmate correspondence and video visitation, follow the setup instructions on the Dallas County Jail website. Having trouble with video visitation specifically? The jail directs those questions to CIDNET through their customer portal support section, not to the jail itself.
Mail is another way to stay connected, but the jail screens it carefully. Incoming mail gets delivered Monday through Friday, and staff open everything to check for contraband. Don't send cash or personal checks. Money in any form counts as contraband and won't be delivered. Paperback books are allowed (no hardbacks), but know that any books you send become property of Dallas County Jail when the inmate is released. Items that aren't permitted either go to the property room or get disposed of.
Note: Need to send a tip to the Dallas County Sheriff's Office (not a message to an inmate)? Tipsters can text 515-559-7790.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ Follow the account setup instructions on the facility website to create an inmate correspondence and video visitation account.
- ✓ If you have video visitation setup issues, submit your question to CIDNET using the support section of CIDNET’s customer portal.
- ✓ To add funds, make a deposit to the inmate’s account online, by phone, or via the kiosk at the Dallas County Jail. Have the inmate’s name or ID number ready.
- ✓ Expect delivery Monday through Friday for incoming inmate mail.
- ✓ Assume every piece of incoming mail will be opened and searched for contraband.
- ✓ Do not mail cash or personal checks. Money in any form is contraband and will not be delivered.
- ✓ If you’re sending books, stick to paperback only (no hardback).
- ✓ Know that unauthorized items can be placed in the property room or disposed of.
- ✓ Understand that books brought in become property of the Dallas County Jail upon the inmate’s release.
Before troubleshooting, make sure you're following the current account setup steps on the Dallas County Jail website for inmate correspondence and video visitation. For video visitation issues, submit your request through CIDNET's customer portal support section. That's where the jail directs all video questions. If you're depositing money, verify which method you'll use (online, by phone, or the in-facility kiosk) and have the inmate's correct name or ID number ready.
- Confirm what you’re allowed to send: The jail lists paperback books as allowed and does not allow hardback books.
- Ask about the mail schedule: Incoming mail is delivered Monday through Friday, so plan around weekends and holidays.
- Avoid sending any form of money: Cash and personal checks are not allowed, and money in any form is treated as contraband and will not be delivered.
- Find out what happens to rejected items: The jail states that all incoming mail is opened and searched, and unauthorized items can be placed in the property room or disposed of.
- Clarify what happens to books over time: Dallas County Jail notes that books brought in become property of the jail upon the inmate’s release.
For the most current instructions, start with the Dallas County Jail's information pages on setting up inmate correspondence and video visitation. Video visitation problems? Route those to CIDNET through their customer portal support section. If you need to send a tip to the Dallas County Sheriff's Office (not a message to an inmate), tipsters can text 515-559-7790.
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