What You Can (and Can’t) Bring When Someone Is Booked at Johnson County Jail
If you're heading to Johnson County Jail for a booking, call first. Staff can only accept a very short list of items, and showing up with the wrong things wastes everyone's time. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office main business phone is 319-356-6020, and Extension 5 connects you to the Jail Division. For GPS or paperwork, the jail's street location is 511 S. Capitol St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (2nd floor). The mailing address is PO Box 2540, Iowa City, IA 52244.
Tip: Call 319-356-6020 (Extension 5 for the Jail Division) before you leave, especially if you’re bringing medication or clothing.
Johnson County Jail allows a limited set of clothing items at booking, and the details matter. Underwear must be all white. The limit is up to four pairs. Socks and T-shirts are also allowed. Bras are permitted, but only if they have no underwire.
Quick clothing list: Up to four pairs of all-white underwear, plus socks, T-shirts, and bras with no underwire.
Medication is one of the few things the jail may accept at booking, but it has to meet specific requirements. Prescription medication must be in the original prescribed bottle. Sample medications require doctor verification, and you need to bring the sample bottle along with that verification. Without the right packaging and documentation, staff may refuse it.
- Keep prescriptions in the original bottle. Johnson County Jail accepts prescription medication only in the original prescribed bottle.
- Handle sample meds differently. Bring the sample bottle and doctor verification for any sample medication.
- Bring the verification with you at booking. Staff will need the bottle (and, for samples, the doctor verification) when you present the medication.
Note: Not sure what counts as "verification" or how to prepare meds for drop-off? Check the site's medication guide, then call the Jail Division at 319-356-6020 (Extension 5) to confirm.
Johnson County Jail accepts only cash for the accommodation fee at booking. Plan for that ahead of time so you're not caught off guard at the counter.
Heads up: Aside from cash for the accommodation fee and allowed medication, other property will not be accepted at booking.
All body piercings must be removed. Piercings are not allowed in Johnson County Jail, so take them out before you arrive.
If you were planning to mail items in, don't. The jail does not accept any packages mailed to inmates. The same strict rule applies to booking drop-offs: other than cash for the accommodation fee and prescription medication (or verified sample medication), the jail will not accept other property.
Practical Checklist
- ✓ Up to 4 pairs of all-white underwear
- ✓ Socks
- ✓ T-shirts
- ✓ Bra with no underwire (if needed)
- ✓ Cash (only) for the accommodation fee
- ✓ Prescription medication in the original prescribed bottle
- ✓ Sample medication only if you have the sample bottle and doctor verification
- ✓ Remove all piercings before you arrive
Final check: Not sure whether something will be accepted? Call 319-356-6020 and press Extension 5 for the Jail Division before you head in.
Find an Inmate at Jones County Jail, IA
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
