Are Alabama Inmate Records Public Information?
Yes, Alabama inmate records are public information. They are mostly made available for easy access by traditional governmental agencies and third-party websites and organizations.
The following information is contained in Alabama inmate records:
- Full name of the offender
- Their Date of birth
- Physical description
- Alabama Inmate mugshot
- Inmate's offense
- Date of incarceration
- Expected date of release
Alabama Inmate Search
Alabama inmate records are documents that contain information regarding detainees in correctional facilities in Alabama. Examples of correctional facilities include county jails, state-operated detention centers, work centers, camps, and other penal institutions.
Persons who obtain Alabama inmate records can expect to see the offenders’ general information, such as full names and aliases, as well as race, gender, date of birth, and nationality/ethnicity. Most jails will also include the inmate’s most recent mugshot, charges, sentence, bail, bond, and pending trial information. All or some of this information is publicly available in compliance with Alabama open record laws.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and, therefore, are made available by both traditional governmental agencies and third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide the following:
- The location of the sought-after record, including the state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
How to Find Someone in Jail in Alabama
To find out what Alabama jail someone is in, searchers must first identify if the county, state, or federal government is holding the individual. Members of the public can find inmates held in county-run facilities by contacting the local sheriff's office. However, inmate records for offenders incarcerated in facilities are maintained by the state. Friends and family can obtain these records through the Alabama Department of Corrections. They have a record of all inmates in jail. Similarly, records of inmates housed in federal facilities located within Alabama can be obtained using the federal inmate search tool provided by the Bureau of Prisons.
How to Perform an Alabama Jail Inmate Search
To perform an Alabama jail inmate search, inquirers must provide some related details, such as the inmate's full name, booking number, or case number. In Alabama, arrestees awaiting trial and inmates serving short sentences typically stay in city or county jails. Typically, Alabama’s jails only hold inmates serving sentences twelve months long or shorter. However, state jails may have inmates serving longer terms if the prisons are overcrowded.
Alabama’s jails are typically under the administrative control of county sheriffs. County residents who wish to learn how to find out if someone is in jail may call or email the Sheriff’s Office that manages the jail.
Inquirers may also perform an Alabama county jail inmate lookup by visiting the specific county website. These websites typically have resources like an inmate locator or jail contact information that researchers can use to find a person in jail. Researchers can also call or visit their local police station or sheriff’s office to find information on inmates in jail.
For correctional facilities managed by the state, the Alabama DOC provides an online inmate lookup database containing open records of incarcerated individuals. Members of the public can perform a free inmate search by name. Members of the public can also conduct an Alabama prison inmate search using the inmate’s assigned Alabama Institutional Serial (AIS) Number. Members of the public may also obtain inmate records by submitting a public record request to the DOC.
Alabama Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 767
Clayton, AL 36016-0767
Email: webmaster@doc.alabama.gov
All requests should include a completed public records request form stating the requesting party’s name, organization name, contact details, and proposed use of records. Forms should also have a description of the requested records and the requesting party’s signature. The DOC charges a non-refundable $25 processing fee. Thus, the total cost of processing the public records request depends on the number of pages and labor required. Applicants may also submit requests by email.
Facilities Operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The oversight of state-run correctional facilities falls under the duties of the Alabama Department of Correction (DOC). The Agency houses more than 20,000 inmates across fifteen major facilities. In addition, Holman Correctional Facility houses male inmates on death row, while Tutwiler Prison for Women houses female inmates. The general public may obtain information on inmates housed in any of these facilities by contacting the Agency’s central office located at the:
Alabama Department of Corrections
301 South Ripley St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (855) WE-R-ADOC
Email: webmaster@doc.alabama.gov
The state also provides an interactive prison lookup tool that the public can use to locate inmates online. The public may also contact inmates, deposit funds, or schedule visits by contacting the housing facility. Find below the location of all inmates and correctional facilities in the state.
Bibb Correctional Facility
565 Bibb Lane
Brent, AL 35034
Phone: (205) 926-5252
Bullock Correctional Facility
Highway 82 East Union Springs, AL 36089
Phone: (334) 738-5625
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 5107
Union Springs, AL 36089-5107
Donaldson Correctional Facility
100 Warrior Lane
Bessemer, AL 35023-7299
Phone: (205) 436-3681
Mailing Address
100 Warrior Lane
Bessemer, AL 35023-7299
Easterling Correctional Facility
200 Wallace Drive
Clio, AL 36017-2615
Phone: (334) 397-4471
Mailing Address
200 Wallace Drive
Clio, AL 36017-2615
Elmore Correctional Facility
3520 Marion Spillway Rd.
Elmore, AL 36025
Phone: (334) 567-1460
Fountain Correctional Facility
9677 AL Hwy 21 N
Atmore, AL 36503
Phone: (251) 368-8122
Mailing Address
Fountain 3800
Atmore, AL 36503-3800
William C. Holman Correctional Facility
866 Ross Road
Atmore, AL 36503
Phone: (251) 368-8173
Mailing Address
Holman 3700
Atmore, AL 36503-3700
Hamilton Aged & Infirmed
223 Sasser Drive
Hamilton, AL 35570
Phone: (205) 921-7453
Holman Correctional Facility
866 Ross Road
Atmore, AL 36503
Phone: (251) 368-8173
Mailing Address
Holman 3700
Atmore, AL 36503-3700
Kilby Correctional Facility
12201 Wares Ferry Road
Montgomery, AL 36117
(334) 215-6600
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 150
Mt. Meigs, AL 36057
Limestone Correctional Facility
28779 Nick Davis Rd
Harvest, AL 35749
Phone: (256) 233-4600
St Clair Correctional Facility
1000 St. Clair Road
Springville, AL 35146
Phone: (205) 467-6111
Staton Correctional Facility
2690 Marion Spillway Road
Elmore, AL 36025
Phone: (334) 567-2221
Tutwiler Prison for Women
8966 US Highway 231 North
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone: (334) 567-4369
Ventress Correctional Facility
Hwy 239 N
Clayton, AL 36016
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Alabama Prisons or Jails?
The Alabama DOC provides guidelines that friends and family members can follow to send money to Alabama prison inmates. There are three ways to do this:
- Access Secure Deposits: The ADC allows the public to send funds to inmates through an online, third-party service called Access Corrections. Users must create accounts to process transactions. Payments can also be made with all major credit cards. Inmates will receive the funds within minutes.
- Money Order: To pay by money order, senders must attach an order deposit coupon and mail the money order to:
Secure Deposits - Alabama DOC
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132
- Cash Deposit: The Alabama DOC allows the public to send cash through Cash Pay. Eligible persons may visit the website or call (844) 340-2274 to find the closest Cash Pay location.
The Alabama DOC charges fees to send money to inmates. The fee schedule is available on the DOC website.
How to Get Approved to Visit an Inmate in Alabama Prisons and Jails
To visit an Alabama inmate, intending visitors must know which prison holds the inmate. This can be confirmed using a reliable online inmate lookup service. The Alabama DOC encourages inmates’ friends and family to visit them while abiding by its visitation guidelines.
Generally, intending visitors must complete an Alabama inmate visitors application (the form is on the last page). Then, submit the form for approval, which takes between 2 - 6 weeks. Once a visitor receives approval, they may visit inmates according to the prison’s visiting schedule.
Alabama inmates may receive up to eight visitors at a time. All adult visitors must bring along a valid photo ID, and minors must provide birth certificates or other court documents to visit. Visitation and dressing guidelines may vary according to the Alabama county or city that hosts the prison. For specific regulations, visit the prison’s website.
How to Find a County Inmate Roster in Alabama
Alabama County has an inmate rooster managed by the sheriff alone. The roosters contain private information and details about inmates who have been incarcerated. It is a public record with information about inmates who are serving jail time at the moment and the ones convicted of a life sentence. The inmate lookup rosters are constantly updated and available for public access. For Alabama, county inmate roosters can be easily accessed by Alabama’s official sheriff for each county or by checking the Alabama Department of Justice.
Alabama State Prisons and County Jails: Understanding the Difference
The primary difference between Alabama state prisons and county jails is the kinds of inmates housed in them. Alabama has more than a dozen state prisons and over 125 county jails. The average daily population of these facilities was 26,841.
The Alabama Department of Corrections is responsible for the operation of all state prisons and county jails in the state. The department had an approximate budget of $385 million for the fiscal year and employs over 3,000 people, including more than 1,800 correctional officers.
How Do I Find Records of Inmates on Death Row?
The Alabama DOC maintains an online roster that provides general information about inmates on death row. It includes the inmate’s name, AIS number, sex, and birth year. It also lists the inmate’s crime, county of residence, and current location. In addition, it provides general statistics, such as the average age of inmates on death row, the total number of inmates on death row, and the racial breakdown of inmates.
How Do I Find Out an Inmate Release Date?
Inmates’ release dates are typically available to the public on the inmate records. Residents can obtain such information using a reliable inmate lookup service. However, if making the inmate’s release date, public information will put the person at risk; the record custodian may redact this date. Consequently, inquirers must contact the correctional facility admin directly for the release date. Still, in such cases, inmate release dates will only be accessible to the inmate’s immediate family members and persons with legitimate, tangible interests.
How Can I Text an Inmate for Free in Alabama
Depending on the facility where an inmate is housed, residents may be able to text an inmate in Alabama. For instance, in Madison County, Alabama, the Sheriff's Office permits friends and family to text an inmate using a secure electronic messaging platform that offers this option. Some services allow inmates to receive unlimited text messages using a free account. Other services allow inmates to send texts with messaging, a hybrid of emails and texts. However, some apps only allow residents to send a fixed number of free texts. Users who exceed this number will need to pay for additional messages.
