Sending Books to Dallas County Jail: What’s Allowed and What Happens After Release
Sending a book to someone at Dallas County Jail in Adel? The rules are straightforward—but the release policy catches a lot of families off guard. Here's what's allowed, how mail gets handled, and what happens when your loved one goes home.
Dallas County Jail accepts paperback books only. Hardbacks aren't allowed. If you're ordering online or grabbing something from your shelf, check the format first - hardcovers get rejected even when everything else about the book is fine.
Note: All incoming mail is opened and searched for contraband, including items tucked into books or packaging.
Here's what catches most people off guard: all books brought into Dallas County Jail become jail property when the inmate is released. Don't expect the book to come home with your loved one.
Other mail works differently. Unauthorized items get placed in the property room or disposed of. Anything not disposed of is returned to inmates upon release. Books are the exception - they become county property when someone is released.
- ✓ Assume any book you send will not be returned to your loved one after release (books become county property upon release).
- ✓ If you’re worried about losing a specific title, don’t send a copy you need back.
- ✓ If you include unauthorized items with the mailing, they may be placed in the property room or disposed of.
- ✓ Items that aren’t disposed of are typically provided to the inmate upon release - just don’t count on that for books.
Address the package with the inmate's full name, arrest number, and cell number, then: P.O. Box 187, Adel, Iowa 50003-0187. Using the complete format helps staff match the book to the right person and avoids delays.
Mail timing: Incoming mail is delivered to inmates Monday through Friday.
Pre Send Checklist
- ✓ Send paperback only (no hardback).
- ✓ Keep the mailing clean - anything extra can be treated as contraband since all incoming mail is opened and searched.
- ✓ Use the full inmate address format: full name, arrest number, cell number, then P.O. Box 187, Adel, Iowa 50003-0187.
Do not include money: Don’t send cash or personal checks. Money in any form is contraband and will not be delivered to the inmate.
One more rule: the jail won't accept mail from anyone who's been incarcerated at Dallas County Jail within the previous six months. If that applies to you, have someone else send the book so it doesn't get rejected.
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