Active Warrants in Winnebago County
(Updated January 25th, 2010)

JAIL AND JAIL INTAKE               **JAIL Visitation Hours Below**

Intake Process

Individuals who have been placed under arrest may be transported to the
Winnebago County Jail located in Forest City, Ia. In most cases the arresting agency
makes the determination if an individual is to be held for bond or released at the time
of arrest. Determining factors include, but are not limited to, the seriousness of the
offense and the flight risk of the individual arrested, employment and ties to the community.

Upon arrival at the Jail, the individual arrested will be required to complete the
following procedures:

• Property Inventory
• Medical Screening
• Fingerprinting
• Photographing

Bond & Release

Individual bond is set by the Judicial Magistrate or District Court Judge, depending on the court of jurisdiction at the time of arrest. Arrestees will appear before a magistrate judge within 24 hours of incarceration. The Magistrate sets his/her own schedule, method, and location for setting bond.

In most cases cash is the only acceptable method of posting bond. A Judge or Magistrate may accept cash or surety in some cases. All methods of bonding a person out of jail, other than cash, are the sole jurisdiction of the Court, not the Sheriff's Office.

Visiting Hours & Rules

Inmates are informed of visiting days and hours and are responsible for relaying this information to those who wish to visit them. These hours are subject to change. 

February Jail Visitation Schedule:


The following rules apply at the Winnebago County Jail.

• Photo identification, such as a driver license or military ID must be presented by each adult visitor. Visitors who do not have proper identification will not be permitted to visit.
•No one under the age of 18 is allowed to visit inmates without a court order. Court orders may be obtained by an attorney.
•Any visitor determined to under the influence of alcohol or a drug will be denied visitation. Any visitor determined to under the influence of alcohol or a drug will be denied future visits without court order.
•Visitors must remain in the assigned room/area during the visit. Proper behavior of all  visitors is required.
•Visitors are not allowed to give inmates anything during a visit. Any person who attempts to give anything to an inmate is subject to criminal prosecution under appropriate State and County law.
•Property allowed in the jail area is determined by the jail staff, or upon Court Order. For questions on what property may be allowed into the jail facility, contact the jail staff directly. The complete Winnebago County Jail Rules are posted at the jail.


Guidelines for Inmate Mail

All mail that is delivered to an immate will be opened and read before being processed to the inmate. Any outgoing mail will be given to the jail staff un-sealed and will be read by jail staff. Inappropriate mail will not be delivered to an inmate. Inmates will not be allowed to deliver or mail inappropriate mail.


Mail is delivered to inmates using the following address:

(Name of Inmate)
Winnebago County Jail
216 South Clark Street
Forest City, IA 50436