How to Find Inmate Records in Alabama
Alabama inmate records are public documents kept by the Alabama Department of Corrections and 67 county sheriff offices. The state uses a split system. ADOC handles inmates with sentences over one year. County jails hold those with shorter terms. You can search most records online for free. Each county runs its own jail roster, and many post them on the sheriff website. This guide shows you how to find inmate records across Alabama.
Alabama Inmate Records Quick Facts
What Do Alabama Inmate Records Contain?
Alabama inmate records hold key facts about each person in custody. The data comes from booking at the jail or prison. Staff enter the details when someone arrives. This info stays on file as long as the person is held. Some data lasts even after release in Alabama.
An inmate record in Alabama typically shows the full legal name and any aliases used. Physical details include height, weight, race, gender, and eye color. The record lists the birth date and home address at the time of arrest. Most files have a mugshot taken at booking. Charges show why the person was arrested. Bond amounts tell what it costs to get out before trial in Alabama.
State inmates get an AIS number. This six-digit code is the Alabama Institutional Serial number. It works like a file number for state prisoners. The AIS number stays with that person for life. It is the best way to search since names can have spelling errors. County jails use booking numbers instead. Each county has its own system for these numbers in Alabama.
Inmate records in Alabama also show:
- Current facility and housing unit
- Custody level and security status
- Sentencing date and term length
- Projected release date
- Parole eligibility date
- Detainers and holds from other agencies
Note: Not all data is public. Medical records stay private. Some security info is blocked. Youthful offender files are sealed under Alabama law.
How Alabama Stores Inmate Data
Alabama runs a split system for inmate records. There is no single database that holds all jail and prison data. You may need to search more than one source to find someone. The state level and county level work on separate systems in Alabama.
The Alabama Department of Corrections handles state prisons. ADOC takes inmates with sentences over one year. They run 14 major facilities across the state. ADOC assigns each person an AIS number at intake. Their online search shows current state inmates for free. It does not show county jail inmates or people who have been released from state custody in Alabama.
County jails handle shorter stays. Sentences of one year or less go to the county. People waiting for trial stay at the county jail too. Each of the 67 counties runs its own jail. The sheriff is in charge of the facility. Most counties now post a jail roster online. These rosters show who is in jail right now. They update daily or more often in Alabama.
City jails exist in a few places. Birmingham has its own jail with 350 beds. Montgomery runs a municipal jail downtown. Hoover and Dothan also have city lockups. These hold people for short stays before court or transfer to the county. Most Alabama cities do not have their own jails. They rely on the county facility instead.
There is no central database linking all these systems. You must check each one on its own. For state inmates, use ADOC. For county inmates, go to that county's sheriff site. This takes more time but gives you full coverage in Alabama.
Alabama Inmate Record Fees
Many inmate searches in Alabama are free. Online jail rosters cost nothing to view. The ADOC Inmate Search is free for current state inmates. You pay nothing to look up who is in jail right now. Fees come into play when you need official copies or historical data.
The main costs for Alabama inmate records are:
- ADOC online search: Free for current inmates
- County jail rosters: Free at most sheriff sites
- ADOC historical records: $25 minimum via Form 23-A
- Alacourt court records: $9.99 per name search
- Copy fees: $0.25 to $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $1.00 to $5.00 per document
ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical record requests. You pay this even if no records are found. The fee is not refundable. Send a money order with Form 23-A to the Montgomery office. Allow two to four weeks for a response from ADOC in Alabama.
County fees vary by location. Some charge $5 to $25 for background checks. Others charge per page for copies. Call the sheriff office to ask about current fees. Bond filing costs $35 in most Alabama counties. This money order goes to the Circuit Clerk. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond amount in Alabama.
Are Alabama Inmate Records Public?
Yes. Inmate records are public in Alabama. Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives every resident the right to inspect public records. This includes jail rosters, booking data, and most inmate files. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The law applies to state and county records alike in Alabama.
Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. You must show proof that you live here. A driver's license or voter card works. Out-of-state requests may be denied. But online rosters are open to anyone with internet access in Alabama.
Some records are sealed or blocked from public view. Youthful offender files stay private under Code of Alabama Section 15-19-7. The court may grant access in special cases. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. The person can say the arrest never happened. Law enforcement still has access for official use in Alabama.
Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-41, agencies must give copies upon request and payment of a fair fee. Response times are set by law. Agencies must acknowledge a request within 10 business days. They must respond within 15 business days after that in Alabama.
Alabama Inmate Records Laws
Several state laws govern how inmate records work in Alabama. These statutes set the rules for public access, privacy limits, and record keeping. Knowing the law helps when you make a request or want to understand your rights in Alabama.
Code of Alabama Section 41-13-1 defines public records. It covers all written documents made by public officers in the course of their work. Inmate booking logs and jail rosters fall under this rule. Court clerks must enter sentencing orders within five days under Section 14-3-30. This keeps the state court system updated with current data in Alabama.
Records retention rules appear in Section 41-13-5. Records can only be destroyed with approval from the State or Local Government Records Commission. This means old jail records may still exist even after many years. ADOC keeps parole records for at least 10 years in Alabama.
Privacy rules protect some people. Youthful offenders get sealed files. Expunged records are hidden from public searches. Medical data stays private under federal HIPAA rules. Security info about jail operations may be blocked to protect staff and inmates in Alabama.
Can You Search Alabama Inmates Online?
Yes. Alabama offers several free online search tools for inmate records. The ADOC Inmate Search covers state prisoners. County jail rosters cover local inmates. You can search from home any time of day. Most sites update daily or more often in Alabama.
The ADOC Inmate Search is free to use. Enter the AIS number for exact results. Name searches work but may miss matches due to spelling. The search shows current state inmates only. It does not show people who have been released or county jail inmates. Results display the mugshot, facility, sentence info, and release date in Alabama.
Over 40 Alabama counties post jail rosters online. Go to the county sheriff website and look for "Jail Roster" or "Who's in Jail" links. Large counties like Jefferson, Madison, Mobile, and Montgomery have full search portals. Smaller counties may have simple lists. Some use third-party software like SmartWEB or Southern Software in Alabama.
For court records tied to criminal cases, try Alacourt ACCESS. This site covers all 67 county courts. It costs $9.99 per name search. You get access to case details, charges, and outcomes. This is a good backup when jail rosters do not show enough detail about the underlying case in Alabama.
Note: Online rosters show current inmates only. Historical data requires a formal request to ADOC or the county sheriff in Alabama.
County Jails in Alabama
Alabama has 67 counties. Each one operates its own jail. The county sheriff runs the facility. Staff handle booking, housing, and releases. Inmate records stay with that county unless the person goes to state prison in Alabama.
Jail size varies a lot across the state. Jefferson County has over 1,200 beds and processes 43,000 inmates per year. It is the largest in Alabama. Madison County has 1,220 beds. Mobile County handles 1,500 or more daily. Small rural counties may have only 28 beds like Bullock County. Choctaw County closed its jail in July 2019. Those inmates now go to nearby counties in Alabama.
Most counties have online jail rosters now. You search by name to find current inmates. Results show mugshots, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. Some counties still require a phone call. A few use mobile apps instead of websites for their jail rosters in Alabama.
St. Clair County is unique. It has two county seats and two separate jails. Ashville and Pell City each have their own facility. Which one holds an inmate depends on where the arrest happened. Check both if you are not sure which jail has your records in Alabama.
Alabama Cities for Inmate Records
Ten Alabama cities have populations over 50,000. Most of these use the county jail for inmates. City police make arrests within city limits. But the county handles booking and housing. You search the county roster to find city inmates in most cases in Alabama.
Four cities run their own jails. Birmingham has a city jail with about 350 beds. It handles city charges and short sentences. Montgomery operates a municipal jail at 103 N Perry Street. Hoover has a city jail for local cases. Dothan runs a city lockup in addition to using the Houston County Jail in Alabama.
For cities without their own jails, go to the county. Huntsville uses Madison County Jail. Mobile uses the county Metro Jail. Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Madison city, and Decatur all use their county facilities. The city may have a holding area for brief stays, but inmates transfer to the county within 24 to 48 hours in Alabama.
Tips for Searching Alabama Inmates
Getting good results takes the right approach. These tips help you find inmate records faster and with fewer dead ends in Alabama.
Start with the AIS number if you have it. This six-digit code gives exact matches. Names can have spelling errors or use nicknames. The AIS number is unique to each state inmate. Ask a family member if you do not know it. ADOC can look it up with enough other details in Alabama.
Check both state and county systems. Someone could be in either one. ADOC shows state prisoners with sentences over a year. County rosters show local inmates and those waiting for trial. A person may move between systems during their case in Alabama.
Call if online searches fail. Small counties may not post all data online. A quick phone call to the jail gets answers fast. Most jails answer around the clock. Staff can confirm if someone is there and give you next steps in Alabama.
Use VINE for release alerts. The victim notification system tracks inmates across Alabama. Sign up at vinelink.com or call 1-877-846-3425. You get alerts when someone is released or moved. This saves you from checking the roster every day in Alabama.
Keep notes on your searches. Write down the date, website used, and what you found. This helps if you need to explain your search later or track changes in the inmate's status in Alabama.
Browse Alabama Inmate Records by County
Each county in Alabama has its own sheriff and jail. Pick a county below to find local jail roster info and contact details for inmate records in that area.
Inmate Records in Major Alabama Cities
Residents of major cities can search inmate records through their county sheriff. Cities with their own jails have separate search options. Pick a city below to learn about inmate records in that area.