Sac County Jail Inmate Search & Roster 2026

Sac County, Iowa · Jail custody and family guide

Sac County Iowa Inmate Lookup, Custody Status, Visits, Court and Jail Help

If you are trying to locate someone after an arrest in Sac County, the most important thing to know is that the Sheriff’s website does not currently publish its own continuously updated public jail-roster page. Public custody searches are handled through IowaVINE, while very recent booking, release or transfer questions can be confirmed directly with the Sac County Jail.

This guide brings the county’s important rules into one place: how to check custody, what to do when no inmate appears, visitation times, identification rules, calls and texting, commissary, medical care, grievances, court records, state transfers and release notifications.

Sac County, Iowa—not Sacramento County: This page is about the Sac County Jail in Sac City, Iowa. Searchers sometimes use “Sac jail” when they mean Sacramento County, California. If the arrest happened in Sacramento, this is the wrong county system.
Custody search

IowaVINE/VINELink or direct jail confirmation.

Jail phone

712-662-7127

Address

100 NW State St., Suite 7, Sac City, IA.

Jail & dispatch

Operate 24 hours a day.

Source check

Verified August 17, 2026.

Start here

Choose the right Sac County inmate-search route

The correct search method depends on whether the arrest just happened, whether the person is still in the county jail, or whether they have already moved into the Iowa prison system.

1
Arrest happened recently

Call the jail at 712-662-7127. A person may be in intake before a public custody service reflects the booking.

2
Checking current county custody

Use IowaVINE/VINELink to search available Iowa jail custody information and register for status alerts.

3
Person was sent to state custody

Use the Iowa Department of Corrections offender search after transfer from the county jail.

Most reliable approach: Use VINE for public custody status, the Sac County Jail for same-day confirmation, Iowa Courts Online for the criminal case, and Iowa DOC only after the person moves into state corrections custody.

Sac County jail help by task

Choose what you actually need to accomplish.

Custody lookup

How to perform a Sac County jail inmate search

Because the county does not currently provide its own searchable live roster on the Sheriff’s website, do not waste time looking for a hidden “current inmates” button. Sac County publishes VINE as its public custody-search and notification resource.

Open Sac County’s VINE information page The county page explains that VINELink can be used to search participating correctional facilities and register for custody-status notifications.
Open VINELink from the county page Choose Iowa and begin the custody search.
Enter the person’s name carefully Use the legal first and last name. If you receive no result, try alternate spellings, maiden names or a shortened first name.
Compare identifying information Do not assume a matching name is the correct person. Compare available age, birth information, custody facility and other identifiers.
Register for notifications if needed IowaVINE allows concerned users and victims to register for available custody-status notifications.
Call the jail for urgent confirmation If the arrest was recent or release appears to be happening now, call 712-662-7127.
IowaVINE telephone search

1-888-742-8463

The State of Iowa identifies IowaVINE as an automated and anonymous notification network for Iowa jails and Iowa DOC custody.

Cost

VINELink is free to the public. Sac County specifically warns that it is not affiliated with services that charge users to subscribe to inmate information.

What a custody result can—and cannot—tell you

How to interpret a Sac County custody search
Information What it helps answer Important limitation
Custody status Whether the person is reported in a participating jail or corrections system. A very recent booking or release may require direct jail confirmation.
Facility Which participating agency currently reports custody. Transfers may change the facility.
Name Helps identify a possible matching record. A name alone is not enough to prove identity.
Release notification Can alert a registered user to a reported custody change. Do not use an automated alert as the sole basis for an urgent safety decision.
Court charge Usually researched through Iowa Courts Online rather than the custody search. A charge is an allegation and may later be changed or dismissed.
Identity rule: Match more than one detail before sending money, discussing someone’s case publicly or making travel plans.
Troubleshooting

No Sac County inmate found? Work through these possibilities

The arrest was only a few hours ago Intake may still be underway. Call the jail directly instead of assuming the person was released.
The name may be different Try a maiden name, full legal first name, shortened first name, hyphen variation or alternate spelling.
The person may already be released A bond, court order or completed sentence may have ended county custody.
The person may have transferred Check Iowa DOC if the person was sentenced or moved from the county jail to state custody.
You are actually looking for the criminal case Search Iowa Courts Online. A person can have an active court case without currently being in jail.
The arrest happened outside Sac County Confirm which agency made the arrest and which county accepted the booking.
What to say when calling the jail “I’m trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], is currently in Sac County custody. The arrest may have happened on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is booked here, released or transferred?”
Have this ready: full name, date of birth, approximate arrest time, arresting agency, known court case number and any booking information you received from law enforcement.

Sac County Jail address, phone, staff and operating hours

Sac County Sheriff’s Office / Jail
100 NW State Street
Suite 7
Sac City, IA 50583-0037

Office: 712-662-7127

Fax: 712-662-7129

Email: sacso@saccountyiowa.gov

Operating hours

Regular office: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Dispatch: 24/7

Jail: 24/7

Emergency: 911

Current Sheriff’s Office leadership

Sheriff: Kathryn Stange

Sergeant/Jail Administrator: Tyler Prescott

Staff assignments can change; use the main office number rather than attempting to contact an individual employee for routine inmate information.

What to have before calling

Inmate’s full legal name, date of birth, arrest date, arresting agency, court case number and the specific question you need answered.

Small-county advantage: For a very recent arrest, direct jail confirmation may be more useful than repeatedly refreshing third-party inmate websites.

What happens after a new Sac County arrest?

Exact processing depends on the arrest and court orders, but understanding the basic sequence helps explain why information may not be immediately available.

Arrival and booking Jail staff process the individual into custody, record identifying information and handle personal property.
Initial court process Court action determines important issues such as charges, bond conditions and further detention.
General population or another housing status After the initial process, eligible inmates may move into general population and receive access to available jail communication services.
Bond, continued detention or sentence The person may remain in county custody, be released under court conditions or later transfer to another agency.
Release or transfer VINE may reflect the custody change, but families should call the jail when the exact current status matters.
Bond and release

How to check bond for a Sac County Jail inmate

Sac County’s public Sheriff’s pages do not publish a current online menu of jail bond payment methods or a universal bond fee chart. That means the safest approach is to verify the court order and then confirm the payment procedure directly with the jail before handing money to anyone.

Find the criminal case Search Iowa Courts Online using the defendant’s name and select Sac County.
Identify every active case A person may have more than one charge or case. One bond amount does not necessarily resolve another case or hold.
Call Sac County Jail Ask staff to confirm the current bond information and where an authorized payment must be made.
Ask whether another hold exists Confirm whether another warrant, county, state agency or court matter could keep the person in custody after one bond is satisfied.
Confirm acceptable payment before traveling Ask which payment forms are currently accepted and whether photo identification or exact funds are required.
Keep the receipt Save the case number, payment receipt, amount, date and time.
Verify completed release Paying a bond is not the same as the person physically leaving the jail. Call again if pickup timing matters.
Scam prevention: Do not send money through an unexpected text, social-media message, cryptocurrency request or payment account merely because someone claims it will release an inmate. Call 712-662-7127 independently.
In-person visitation

Sac County Jail visitation schedule, appointment rules and ID requirements

Sac County conducts regular jail visits in person. Visitors cannot simply arrive during a broad visiting window; an appointment must be scheduled in advance.

Current Sac County Jail regular visitation schedule
Day General visiting window Unavailable periods
Tuesday 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Sunday / Monday No regular visitation listed Call jail for professional or exceptional arrangements.
County holidays No visitation Schedule another eligible day.
Visit length

Regular visitation is scheduled for 10 minutes.

Advance notice

Call at least 24 hours before the requested appointment.

Maximum visitors

Only two visitors at a time.

How to schedule a Sac County Jail visit

Call between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Contact the jail at 712-662-7127.
Call at least 24 hours ahead Same-day arrival should not be assumed to create a visit.
Request an available date and time Avoid the lunch block from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and dinner block from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Provide your information Staff will request personal information needed to arrange the appointment.
Arrive 10 minutes early Arriving exactly at the appointment time can create problems with check-in.
Show government photo ID Acceptable examples listed by the county include a driver’s license, state ID, military ID or passport showing date of birth.

Who can and cannot visit?

Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult
No more than two visitors at one time
No regular visits on holidays
Professional attorney/law-enforcement visits are arranged separately
12-month restriction: Sac County states that anyone incarcerated in the Sac County Jail during the previous 12 months will not be allowed to visit a person currently held there.
Security cancellation: A scheduled visit can be suspended or cancelled without notice because of inmate discipline or security needs. Call before a long drive when practical.
Family communication

Sac County inmate phone cards and Reliance texting devices

Sac County’s current inmate handbook describes two important communication options: inmate phone cards and an inmate texting-device program associated with Reliance.

Inmate texting device

Who receives access?

The handbook says an inmate who has completed initial appearance and is taken to general population is issued a texting device containing the inmate handbook.

Texting service

Reliance and Sac County offer an option to rent inmate texting functionality with a dedicated phone number for direct communication with family and friends.

Important texting restrictions

  • The jail retains control over use of inmate texting devices.
  • Inmates may not use the device to text other inmates.
  • Victims or other people blocked by the Sac County Jail cannot be contacted through the device.
  • Access is a privilege rather than a guaranteed right.
  • Misbehavior or tampering can result in the texting privilege being terminated.
  • The handbook states that termination for misconduct does not create a rental adjustment or refund.

Phone cards

The handbook states that inmate phone cards can be ordered. Because the county does not publish a current public price chart for phone cards on its Sheriff’s page, confirm current cost and ordering procedure with jail staff before sending money specifically for telephone use.

Practical tip: Before creating an outside account or paying a third-party communications company, ask the jail which current option applies to the specific inmate.
Commissary

Sac County Jail commissary, envelopes and inmate money questions

The Sac County inmate handbook says the jail’s commissary system is operated by Sac County Jail staff. It also states that stamped envelopes and commissary are offered once a day.

Commissary operator

The jail handbook identifies Sac County Jail staff as operating the commissary system.

Ordering opportunity

The handbook describes commissary and stamped-envelope availability once a day.

Phone cards

Phone cards can also be ordered according to the handbook.

Before sending inmate funds

Confirm the inmate is still there Do not send money to a person who has already bonded out or transferred.
Call the jail for the current deposit method Sac County’s public Sheriff page does not currently publish a detailed online deposit vendor, fee chart or card-payment workflow.
Ask what identifier is required Confirm whether staff need the inmate’s full name, booking information or another identifier.
Ask about fees and limits before paying Deposit vendors and procedures can change.
Save your receipt Keep the payment amount, confirmation and date in case the inmate cannot access the funds.
Why there is no payment button here: Adding an unverified third-party jail-money link would be less helpful than telling you the truth. The county does not currently publish a clear public online inmate-fund portal on its Sheriff’s page, so verify the current method at 712-662-7127.

Sending mail to someone in Sac County Jail

Sac County’s public Sheriff’s page lists the jail/Sheriff location at 100 NW State Street, Suite 7, but it does not publish a separate public off-site inmate mail-processing address. Because mail-routing rules can change, confirm the exact inmate-mail format with the jail before mailing important documents or photographs.

County jail location
Sac County Sheriff’s Office / Jail
100 NW State Street, Suite 7
Sac City, IA 50583-0037
Confirm before mailing

Call 712-662-7127 and ask for the current inmate mailing format, required identification information and current restrictions.

Rules identified in the inmate handbook

  • Unauthorized “underground” mail is prohibited.
  • Correspondence with another jail inmate is restricted unless jail rules permit it.
  • Mail connected with suspected illegal activity may be referred to the County Attorney’s Office.
  • Stamped envelopes are available through the jail’s commissary process.
Best mailing habit: Put the inmate’s full legal name on correspondence, include your complete return address, and call first before sending books, photographs, packages, legal material or anything containing money.
Health and medication

Sac County Jail medical care, medication and mental-health help

The Sac County inmate handbook contains considerably more health information than the public Sheriff’s landing page. Families dealing with medication or a known medical condition should understand these rules before bringing anything to the jail.

Medication verification

Medication is dispensed under medical direction and controlled by Sac County Jail staff. Medication must be verified as authentic before it is distributed.

Scheduled medication

When an inmate is placed on scheduled medication, jail staff bring the medication according to the approved schedule.

County medical resources

The inmate handbook identifies UnityPoint Clinics and Loring Hospital as official jail medical resources, with the doctor on call handling medical concerns.

Medical confidentiality

The jail states that inmate medical complaints, problems and records are maintained confidentially, subject to authorized release and emergency-care needs.

Continuing an existing medical condition

Tell jail staff about the condition The inmate should identify ongoing health needs rather than waiting for a problem to become an emergency.
Existing providers may need to share records The inmate may be asked to sign a release so the jail can obtain information from a private physician and continue an appropriate care plan.
Medication must go through jail medical control Family members should not attempt to directly hand medication to an inmate.
After-hours care focuses on necessity and emergencies The handbook states that only necessary or emergency medical matters are attended to after normal business hours.

Private doctors and payment

The handbook says use of private physicians and health-care personnel outside the Sac City area is generally not permitted. Access to a doctor may be arranged at the inmate’s expense in non-emergency situations. Necessary or emergency assistance may be provided when an indigent inmate lacks resources.

Mental-health services

The inmate handbook states that mental-health evaluation, treatment or services may be available through Plains Area Mental Health or Integrated Telehealth Services. The inmate should notify jail staff when more information or assistance is needed.

Urgent health concern: Do not depend on this article or a general web form during an emergency. Contact the Sac County Jail at 712-662-7127; call 911 for an immediate emergency outside the facility.
Inmate requests and grievances

How Sac County Jail inmate complaints and grievances work

The handbook allows an inmate to file a grievance involving alleged abuse, harassment, abridgment of civil rights, an unjustified denial of a handbook privilege or another problem that can be resolved through the jail process.

Write the grievance promptly The handbook requires a written statement within 48 hours of the incident.
Include the date and time State when the incident occurred.
Name the people involved Include relevant jail staff, deputies, inmates and witnesses.
Explain the facts clearly Include the pertinent details rather than only a conclusion or accusation.
Allow the internal review process to occur The handbook describes review through jail staff, the Jail Administrator and ultimately the Sheriff.
If released before receiving the response: The handbook says an inmate may provide a self-addressed stamped envelope so staff can mail the response. Without it, the matter may be closed after the person leaves the facility.
Who can use the inmate grievance procedure? The handbook states that only inmates while in Sac County Jail custody may file a grievance or request an appeal through this process.

Attorney contact and access to the courts

Sac County’s handbook states that inmates are provided access to the courts consistent with constitutional requirements. Inmates who need court access should make the appropriate written request through jail staff.

Professional jail visit

Attorneys and law-enforcement officers who need an in-person professional visit should contact Sac County Jail staff to arrange it.

Court information

Family members should use Iowa Courts Online or the Sac County Clerk of Court rather than asking jail staff to interpret the legal case.

Court lookup

How to find Sac County charges, case status and court activity

Jail custody and criminal court records answer different questions. Use VINE to ask whether the person is in custody; use Iowa Courts Online to research the electronic court docket.

Open Iowa Courts Online The official service provides access to the electronic docket of Iowa’s state court system.
Search the defendant Search using the person’s legal name or a known case number.
Select Sac County Narrowing the county helps separate similarly named defendants elsewhere in Iowa.
Review each separate case One person may have more than one criminal case.
Read docket activity The docket is an index of filings and proceedings. Use it to identify recent court activity rather than relying on an old arrest page.
Call the clerk when something is unclear The Sac County court contact number published by the Iowa Judicial Branch is 712-662-4718.
Sac County Clerk of Court contact

Phone: 712-662-4718

Email: countyclerk.sac@iowacourts.gov

Iowa Courts Online

Use it for available docket, case and court-payment information.

Public docket searching is different from eFiling, which requires an account.

Important distinction: A person can be released from Sac County Jail while the criminal case continues for months. Do not treat “not in jail” as “case dismissed.”

What if the inmate was transferred to the Iowa Department of Corrections?

A county-jail search is no longer the best tool after a person enters Iowa DOC custody. The Iowa Department of Corrections publishes its own offender-search system.

Information the Iowa offender search can use

First, middle and last name
Date of birth or approximate date range
Sex
Offender number
Location
County of commitment
Transfer timing: Iowa DOC states that after transportation is completed, the new facility assignment for most offenders is generally reflected in its online offender search within about 24 hours.
Custody alerts

IowaVINE release and custody-status notifications

IowaVINE is useful when you need to know about a future custody change rather than manually searching the jail every day.

Cost

Free to the public.

Telephone

1-888-742-8463

Coverage

Iowa jails plus offenders under Iowa DOC custody or supervision where data is available.

Use VINE when you want to

  • Search available custody information.
  • Monitor custody-status changes.
  • Register for available telephone or electronic notifications.
  • Follow an offender who later moves from county custody into Iowa DOC custody.
Safety warning: Automated notification should supplement—not replace—a personal safety plan. For an urgent threat or emergency, contact law enforcement directly.

Veteran, religious and support resources mentioned in the jail handbook

Veterans assistance

The handbook says veterans may be eligible for Veterans Administration benefits and may request assistance from Sac County Veterans Affairs.

Local: 712-662-4552

Veterans toll-free contact

866-844-8150

The handbook lists the Sac County Commission on Veterans Affairs at the Sac County courthouse address.

Religious needs

The handbook states that local churches have provided some religious Bibles and reading material. An inmate with a religious need should contact jail staff.

Release and pickup: what families should confirm first

Bond was paid Do not assume the person is already outside. Call for completed-release confirmation.
VINE shows a change Use the alert as a cue to verify the current status with the responsible agency.
Person disappeared from county custody Ask whether they were released or transferred.
Sentenced to state custody Move your search to Iowa DOC after the transfer.
Another case is pending Review Iowa Courts Online before assuming all legal matters are finished.
You are driving for pickup Confirm release before leaving, especially when traveling from outside Sac City.

Sac County local tips that prevent the most common mistakes

IA
Confirm the state first

Sac County is in Iowa. Do not accidentally search Sacramento County, California.

24
Recent booking? Call

The jail operates 24/7, so direct confirmation is useful when the arrest happened very recently.

V
Use VINE for custody

There is no current county-hosted public roster search on the Sheriff’s site.

C
Use courts for charges

Iowa Courts Online is better than an inmate page for checking continuing case activity.

10
Visits are short

Regular visits are only 10 minutes, so arrive 10 minutes early rather than losing part of the appointment.

12
Remember the visitor restriction

A person incarcerated at Sac County Jail during the previous 12 months cannot visit a current inmate.

11
Avoid lunch downtime

No regular visiting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

4:30
Avoid dinner downtime

No regular visiting from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

$
Do not guess the money vendor

Call the jail because its current public page does not publish a complete online inmate-deposit workflow.

Sac County Jail location and arrival checklist

Sac County Sheriff’s Office
100 NW State Street
Suite 7
Sac City, Iowa 50583-0037

Phone: 712-662-7127

Before you drive

Confirm the inmate is still housed there, the purpose of your visit, the appointment time and any identification requirement.

Save the inmate’s full legal name
Confirm current custody by phone
Bring government-issued photo ID for visitation
Arrive 10 minutes early for a scheduled visit
Do not arrive during meal-period visitation blocks
Confirm there is no holiday closure affecting your task

Official sources and live actions used in this Sac County guide

The important rules from these sources have already been summarized above. The links below are mainly for actions that cannot be completed inside this article, such as running a live custody search, checking a live court docket or verifying a future policy change.

Primary county material reviewed
  • Sac County Sheriff’s Office department page
  • Sac County inmate visitation rules
  • Sac County Jail Inmate Rules & Regulations handbook, last revision April 1, 2023
  • Sac County VINE information page
  • Iowa Judicial Branch Sac County court directory
  • Iowa Department of Corrections inmate and family services
Source status: Public information was reviewed on August 17, 2026. Custody, staffing, court status, commissary procedures, communication providers and jail rules can change. For a time-sensitive individual case, the Sac County Jail or responsible court remains the controlling source.

Sac County Jail inmate search FAQs

How do I find someone in the Sac County Jail in Iowa?

Sac County does not currently provide its own live public roster search on the Sheriff’s website. Use IowaVINE/VINELink for public custody information or call 712-662-7127 for current jail confirmation.

Is Sac County Jail the same as Sacramento County Jail?

No. This article covers Sac County, Iowa. The Sheriff’s Office is in Sac City, Iowa. Sacramento County is a separate county in California.

What is the Sac County Jail phone number?

Call 712-662-7127. Jail and dispatch operations are available 24/7.

What are Sac County Jail visitation hours?

Regular visitation is Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., excluding 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. There is no visitation on holidays.

How long is a Sac County Jail visit?

Regular visits are scheduled for 10 minutes. Visitors should arrive 10 minutes before the appointment.

How far ahead do I need to schedule a visit?

Call the jail at least 24 hours in advance. The county asks visitors to call between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to arrange the appointment.

What ID is required for visitation?

Bring U.S. government-issued photo identification showing date of birth, such as a driver’s license, state ID, military ID or passport.

Can children visit?

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Only two visitors may visit at one time.

How do inmates communicate with family?

The inmate handbook describes phone cards and a Reliance inmate-texting option. Texting privileges are controlled by the jail and can be removed for rule violations or device tampering.

How do I check a Sac County criminal case?

Use Iowa Courts Online for the electronic docket. The Sac County Clerk of Court contact number published by the Iowa Judicial Branch is 712-662-4718.

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