When Can I Call My Child? SIADSA's Phone Schedule, Limits, and Level System
Timing matters when you're trying to actually reach your child — miss the window and you lose the day's call. Here's how SIADSA handles call length, daily limits, blackout times, and the Level system.
Phone time at SIADSA is limited: one 15-minute call per day per juvenile. That call has to happen during non-school hours and wrap up before 8:00 pm. Plan for a time when your child is most likely free - not during meals or scheduled programming.
- Call the detention center directly - Legal guardians can call their child by phoning the detention center.
- Set (and remember) your code word - At the start, you’ll establish a code word you can reliably remember.
- Use the same code word every time - You’ll be required to give that exact code word each time you call in to speak with your child.
- Keep the code word private - Don’t share it with anyone else; if staff determine it’s been given to another person, it could stop all of your calling privileges.
Skip meal times and group times when calling. SIADSA asks families to avoid those windows - your child won't be available, and you'll burn the day's call opportunity.
- ✓ Breakfast: 7:30–8:00 am
- ✓ Lunch: 11:30 am–noon
- ✓ Group: 3:30–4:30 pm
- ✓ Supper: 4:30–5:00 pm
The baseline is one 15-minute call per day, but the Level system can unlock more. When a juvenile reaches Level 3 Day 14, they earn a second daily call. There's a catch: that extra call must go to a pre-approved relative.
Calls to attorneys or DHS workers work differently. Detention staff place those calls during business hours, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays. If your child needs to reach their attorney or worker, coordinate through staff - don't expect it to happen through the regular family call routine.
Find an Inmate at South Iowa Area Detention Service Agency
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
