Elmore County Detention Center (Elmore County Jail)

Elmore County Detention Center (Elmore County Jail) is an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) detention facility located in Mountain Home, Idaho. It falls under the Salt Lake City Field Office ERO field office area of responsibility.

Facility quick reference

How to locate or contact a detainee

To locate someone in ICE custody, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov. You will need the person’s A-number (Alien Registration Number) and country of birth, or their full name, country of birth, and date of birth.

To ask whether someone is held here, and to leave an urgent message for a detainee, ICE publishes one number: (208) 587-9103. ICE lists it for detainee information Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (checked October 16, 2026). Give the detainee’s full name, alien registration number (A-number), and your name and a phone number where you can be reached; the facility passes the message on. Detainees cannot receive incoming calls — they place outgoing calls themselves. Have the person’s biographical information ready when you call (full legal name and any aliases, date of birth, and country of birth). ICE says this facility has tablets; information on sending a detainee a non-confidential message is at www.inmatesales.com (checked October 16, 2026). This facility’s visiting rules are listed below.

Sending mail, commissary funds, and personal items

Each facility publishes its own exact format for letters and packages; ICE’s format for this facility is listed below. ICE lists each facility’s format on that facility’s page at ice.gov. This facility’s own ICE page says incoming mail “is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer.” Under ICE’s National Detention Standards, Revised 2019, §5.1(E) — cited here for comparison only, because ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight reviewed this facility in August 2025 under the Federal Performance Based Detention Standards (May 2025), which the report cites as “USMS FPBDS (May 2025)”, and we have not reviewed that standard’s mail rules — incoming general mail is opened and inspected for contraband, and outgoing general mail may be inspected and read if it is addressed to another detainee or staff have reason to believe it threatens the facility’s security or order, endangers someone, or could facilitate criminal activity. Only special correspondence — mail to or from attorneys and other legal representatives, courts and judges, government attorneys, embassies and consulates, the President and Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, the Department of Justice (including the immigration courts), DHS (including ICE/ERO, IHSC, CRCL and the DHS Inspector General), grievance administrators, and the news media — may not be read or copied by staff. Incoming special correspondence is inspected for contraband in the detainee’s presence; outgoing special correspondence is not opened, inspected or read, and if a need exists, any inspection takes place in the detainee’s presence. The standard limits any inspection to detecting physical contraband and confirming that enclosures qualify as special correspondence. Mail counts as special correspondence only if the envelope unambiguously identifies the title and office of the sender (incoming mail) or of the addressee (outgoing mail). Rules for commissary (account) deposits and permitted personal items vary by facility, and so does the number that handles them — ICE names a separate facility mail clerk on some facility pages. This facility’s deposit route, accepted form of payment and contacts are in the Sending Items to Detainees section of its own ICE page (linked above).

What ICE publishes for this facility’s mail, money, and packages

Per ICE’s page for this facility (checked October 16, 2026):

• Letters must show the detainee’s full name legibly written on the front of the envelope, “in care of Elmore County Detention Center” and the jail’s address, plus the sender’s complete and correct name and return address. ICE’s list for this facility does not mention the A-number.

[Detainee's full name]
c/o Elmore County Detention Center
2255 East 8th North
Mountain Home, ID 83647

• Not allowed: letters from anybody besides the sender (letters from children are an exception); tape, stickers or attachments on the envelope or letter; musical or electronic cards; Polaroid photos; nude photographs; extra stamps, paper or envelopes; perfume, cologne or any other chemical on letters or envelopes. Mail that violates these rules is returned to sender.
• Screening and outgoing mail: all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. Outgoing mail is routed to the post office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff; pick-up and delivery schedules are posted in the housing units.
• Stamps: detainees may buy stamps; indigent detainees (no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) are given a preset amount of postage.
• Money: deposits to a detainee’s account can be made at the kiosk in the jail lobby, at www.jailfunds.com, or by calling 1-855-836-3364. The money can be used for snacks, hygiene and stationery items. Funds received in the mail are placed into the account and the processing officer gives a receipt, but ICE says detainees “are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.”
• Gift packages or commissary: through https://www.accesscatalog.com/shop/index.html?ProgramID=1093.
• Books and magazines: paperback only, through a publisher or retail outlet only, mailed directly to the jail from the distributor.
• Items for travel or release: only with ICE Deportation Officer approval, the jail accepts some items determined to be necessary solely for travel or release from custody. A detainee being removed is allowed one small piece of luggage; if the detainee has none, a backpack or carry-on sized bag can be sent or delivered only after approval from the Supervisory Deportation Officer, and it should be delivered to the ICE office in Boise, ID. No electronic devices (such as electric razors, laptop computers or radios), weapons, clippers with knives or liquids are accepted.
• Transfers and departures: only legal mail is forwarded; general correspondence is returned to sender.

Visiting in person

Per ICE’s page for this facility (checked October 16, 2026):

• Detainees are permitted three free visits per week. All personal visits are subject to monitoring and recording.
• Visits must be scheduled in advance; on-site and remote (online) video visits are available. First create a visitation account at the kiosk in the jail lobby, at www.inmatesales.com, or by calling 1-877-998-5678. ICE recommends, “although not required,” scheduling at least 24 hours in advance so the detainee has the opportunity to accept the visit.
• On-site visits are conducted on the visitation kiosks behind door 6 of the jail lobby. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under 18; children must be under an adult’s control at all times and may not be left unattended in the lobby areas, automobiles or on detention grounds. Disruptive children’s parents or guardians will be asked to leave and the visit may be terminated.
• Rules: no nudity or explicit sexual behavior, no threats of intimidation or harm, no misrepresentation of identity; a violation may result in disciplinary action and administrative suspension. For remote visits, no third-party participation: if a detainee gives or sells a visit to another detainee, both the detainee’s and the visitor’s accounts may be suspended. Any violation may end the visit immediately and temporarily suspend the visitation privilege.
• Search and restrictions: everyone entering is subject to a pat-down search, an inspection of belongings and a metal scan; anyone refusing a reasonable search is not admitted. No firearms or weapons; no electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) in the secure areas. Visitors may not carry any items into the visitation area or pass items to detainees, and visitors who are or appear intoxicated are not allowed to visit.
• Parking: free public parking is available at the facility.
• Consular officials may meet their detained nationals at any time and must bring appropriate credentials. Clergy may visit at any time but must make prior arrangements by calling (208) 587-9103.

Legal access, attorneys, and immigration court information

Detainees have the right to speak with an attorney, and attorney–client visits and calls are confidential. For information about a case before the immigration court (EOIR), EOIR’s automated line 1-800-898-7180 (toll-free, 24 hours a day, English and Spanish) gives the next hearing date and case status; callers enter the 9 digits of the A-number, without the letter A (EOIR, checked October 24, 2026). For a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the main line of EOIR (the Justice Department agency the BIA belongs to) is (703) 305-0289. Applications for relief from removal must be filed directly with the immigration court handling the case. If you cannot afford an attorney, the immigration court can provide a list of pro bono legal service providers — see the related resources below.

Booking legal visits, video calls, and legal calls

Per ICE’s page for this facility (checked October 16, 2026):

• Attorney visits: legal representatives are authorized to visit their clients seven days a week (24/7/365).
• Legal calls or video teleconferencing: contact the jail at (208) 587-9103 for the process to establish a legal call excluded from monitoring and recording.
• G-28s can be submitted through ERO eFile. Facility staff do not have access to ERO eFile, so legal representatives should download copies of the submitted G-28 for any in-person or remote legal visit.
• Case information: call the ERO office in Boise, ID at (208) 685-6635, or email SaltLakeCity.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov. That mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or case appeals.
• Identifying a client’s Deportation Officer: contact the ERO Boise Sub-Office at (208) 685-6635; a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.
• Immigration Court in Salt Lake City (direct line): (801) 524-3000.
• The pro bono legal organizations list is posted in all detainee housing units and updated quarterly; contacting an organization for an appointment is the detainee’s responsibility.

Feedback, complaints, and oversight

To report a concern about conditions at this facility or the conduct of an ICE or contract employee, contact the ERO Salt Lake City Field Office that oversees this facility, or file a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). On its own Make a Civil Rights Complaint page DHS publishes one channel — the online portal at engage.dhs.gov/crcl-complaint; CBP additionally publishes, for the same office, the e-mail address CRCL@dhs.gov, fax (202) 401-4708, and the postal address DHS/CRCL, Compliance Branch, 2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Mail Stop #0190, Washington, DC 20528-0190. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) hotline is 1-800-323-8603.

This facility’s own ICE page (checked October 16, 2026) adds these channels:

• Comments on service: Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2975 Decker Lake Drive, Suite 200, West Valley City, Utah 84119.
• Misconduct complaint: call the local ICE ERO office in Boise, ID at (208) 685-6635, or contact the Field Office Director at (801) 886-7400 (same address as above).
• ICE Office of Professional Responsibility (by mail): Director, Office of Professional Responsibility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th Street, SW, Suite 1049, Mailstop 5099, Washington, DC 20536-5005.
• ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center: 1-833-4ICE-OPR or ICEOPRIntake@ice.dhs.gov.

A news reporter who wants to interview someone held here must apply in writing to the ERO Salt Lake City Field Office, indicating familiarity with and agreement to comply with the facility rules and regulations provided by staff. ICE says a detainee has the right not to be interviewed, photographed or recorded, and the reporter must first obtain the detainee’s written permission. Media inquiries about ICE go to ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov.

ICE inspection record

ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight (ODO), part of ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, conducted a special review of the Elmore County Jail on August 19–20, 2025 (inspection 2025-003-079; ODO report). Per ICE’s August 2025 inspection:

• Standard: the Federal Performance Based Detention Standards (May 2025), cited in the report as “USMS FPBDS (May 2025)”. The report lists the facility under ERO Salt Lake City.
• Deficiencies listed under Health Care:

• Detainee interviews: ODO interviewed two detainees, who volunteered; neither alleged discrimination, mistreatment or abuse, and both reported satisfaction with facility services.

Related procedural resources

• Know Your Rights — what to do if ICE detains you
• EOIR immigration court schedules and procedures
• BIA-recognized legal-aid organizations in Idaho
• Other ICE detention facilities in Idaho
• All facilities under the Salt Lake City Field Office