Birmingham Inmate Records Search

Birmingham inmate records can be found at two places. The city runs its own jail with about 350 beds. Jefferson County also runs a much larger jail system. Most Alabama cities use only the county jail, but Birmingham is different. You may need to search both systems to find someone.

Where Are Birmingham Inmates Held?

Birmingham is one of only four Alabama cities with its own jail. The Birmingham City Jail holds about 350 people at a time. It sits on 6th Avenue South in downtown. The jail handles city charges like traffic crimes, minor drug cases, and city code violations. Sentences can run up to 12 months for city offenses. The police department runs the jail through its Custody Services Division.

Jefferson County runs a separate, much larger system. The county jail processes over 43,000 inmates each year. It has two locations with more than 1,200 beds total. One is in Birmingham. The other is in Bessemer. County charges, state charges, and felonies go to the county jail. Federal holds also stay at the county level. If someone faces serious charges in Birmingham, they go to the county, not the city jail.

The split system can cause confusion. A person arrested by Birmingham Police could end up at either jail. It depends on the charges. City misdemeanors stay at the city jail. Felonies transfer to the county. You may need to search both rosters to find someone arrested in Birmingham. Start with the city jail for minor charges. Check the county for anything serious.

The Jefferson County Jail is the other option for Birmingham arrests. For county inmate information, visit the Jefferson County inmate records page. That page covers both the Birmingham and Bessemer jail facilities run by the county sheriff.

Birmingham Police Department

The Birmingham Police Department makes arrests across the city. Officers bring people to the city jail for booking on city charges. The department has about 900 sworn officers. They patrol a city of nearly 200,000 people. The records division handles requests for arrest records and reports.

Birmingham has a high crime rate compared to most cities. The crime index was 841.0 in recent data. The national average was only 284.9. This means Birmingham sees about three times more crime than typical. High arrest numbers keep both the city and county jails busy. The police department works with the sheriff on cases that cross city and county lines.

The police department runs the city jail through its Custody Services Division. This is different from most cities where police only make arrests and the sheriff handles detention. In Birmingham, the city keeps control of its own inmates for city charges. Call the jail direct at (205) 254-6369 if you need inmate info. Call the police main line for arrest record requests.

How to Search Birmingham Inmates Online

Birmingham runs its own city jail search portal. This is rare in Alabama. Most cities have no online search at all. The city uses New World software for its system. You can search by name to find current inmates in the city jail. The site shows booking dates, charges, and bond amounts. Mugshots appear for most inmates.

To search Birmingham city jail inmates, go to birminghamjailsearch.birminghamal.gov. Enter the first name and last name. Click search. Results load fast. You can see who is currently in the city jail. The roster updates through the day as people are booked in or released. There is no fee to search.

The county jail has a different search tool. Go to the Jefferson County Sheriff website at sheriff.jccal.org. Click on Corrections, then Inmate Inquiry. This shows county inmates only. It does not show city jail inmates. You must search both if you are not sure which jail holds someone arrested in Birmingham.

To search Birmingham inmate records, you need this info:

• First name or last name of the inmate
• Booking number if you have it
• Date range to narrow results

Both search tools are free to use. They show current inmates and recent releases. For older records, you may need to call or visit in person. Historical data is not always online. The ADOC search at doc.alabama.gov covers state prisoners if the person was sentenced to more than one year.

Birmingham Inmate Record Fees

Searching the online jail rosters is free in Birmingham. You pay nothing to see who is in the city jail or county jail. Both websites let you search and view results at no cost. Fees apply when you need copies or official documents.

Copy fees vary by office. The police department charges for printed arrest records. The Circuit Clerk handles court files. Each has its own fee schedule. Expect to pay $0.25 to $1.00 per page for basic copies. Certified copies cost more. Call ahead to ask about current rates.

The main fees for inmate records in Birmingham are:

• Online jail roster search: Free
• ADOC state inmate search: Free
• Alacourt court records: $9.99 per name
• County background checks: $5 to $25
• Copy fees: $0.25 to $1.00 per page
• Certified copies: $1.00 to $5.00 per document

Bond amounts show on both jail rosters. To post bond at the city jail, call (205) 254-6369 for instructions. Bond filing fees run about $35 at the county level. Bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond amount. Cash bonds go to the clerk of court.

Birmingham's City Jail

Birmingham is one of only four Alabama cities that runs its own jail. The others are Montgomery, Hoover, and Dothan. Most cities have holding cells at the police station but no real jail. Birmingham took a different path. The city built a full medium-security jail that can hold about 350 inmates at once.

The Birmingham City Jail opened in 1973. The Custody Services Division of the police department runs it. Staff work around the clock to process new inmates and manage the population. The jail offers programs to help inmates. GED classes give people a chance to earn a high school diploma. AA and NA meetings help with addiction issues. These programs aim to reduce repeat offenses after release.

City jail inmates serve sentences of up to 12 months. Longer sentences go to the county or state. The city jail also holds people waiting for court on city charges. Some inmates transfer to the county after a few days if their charges get upgraded. The city and county systems share data, but they run as separate operations.

Visitation at the Birmingham City Jail follows a set schedule. Female inmates get visits on Sundays from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Male visitation times vary. Call the jail at (205) 254-6369 to confirm the current schedule. All visits happen through glass. No contact visits are allowed. You must be on the approved visitor list. The inmate submits names ahead of time. Bring a photo ID when you visit.

Note: Birmingham's city jail is separate from the Jefferson County jail system. Search both if you cannot find someone.

When to Search City vs County Jail

Knowing which jail to search saves time. Birmingham arrests can go to either facility. The charge type decides where someone ends up. Understanding the split helps you find inmate records faster in Birmingham.

Search the Birmingham City Jail first if the person was arrested for:

• Traffic violations like DUI or reckless driving
• City code violations
• Minor drug possession
• Public intoxication or disorderly conduct
• Simple assault or harassment
• Misdemeanors with sentences under 12 months

Search the Jefferson County Jail if the person was arrested for:

• Felony charges of any kind
• Violent crimes like robbery or assault
• Drug trafficking or large quantities
• Weapons charges
• Warrants from other counties or states
• Federal holds

Some cases start at the city jail and transfer later. If charges get upgraded from misdemeanor to felony, the inmate moves to county custody. Search both rosters if you find nothing in one. A quick call to either jail can also help. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody or has been released.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law makes inmate records public with some limits. Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives every Alabama resident the right to inspect public records. This includes jail rosters and booking data. You can ask to see these records at any time. The jail must let you look at them during normal hours.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-41 says you can get copies if you pay a fee. The fee must be reasonable. Most offices charge by the page. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. You need certified copies for court or legal use.

Some records stay sealed. Youthful offender files are not public under Code of Alabama Section 15-19-7. The court can allow access in rare cases. Prosecutors can see these files for other cases. But the general public cannot view youthful offender records in Birmingham or anywhere else in Alabama.

Expunged records are also hidden. Under Code of Alabama Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21, people can ask to have certain records sealed. Once expunged, the arrest legally never happened. The person can say they were never arrested. But law enforcement still has access for official use. Expunged records will not show up on public jail rosters in Birmingham.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. You must show proof of residency like a driver's license or voter card. Out-of-state requests may get denied. Online roster searches do not require proof. Anyone can view those from anywhere.

How to Request Inmate Records in Birmingham

You have several ways to get inmate records in Birmingham. Online searches give you basic info fast. Phone calls work for quick questions. In-person visits let you see files and get copies the same day. Mail requests take longer but work if you cannot visit.

For current city jail inmates, the online roster has what most people need. It shows charges, bond, and booking dates. For more detail, call the jail at (205) 254-6369. Staff can tell you about an inmate's status. They can explain the charges and bond process. The jail answers 24 hours a day.

For older records, you may need a written request. Contact the Birmingham Police Department records division. Explain what you need. Include the person's name, date of birth, and any case numbers you have. The department will tell you the cost and how long it takes. Most requests get a response within 10 to 15 business days.

For court records tied to Birmingham arrests, use Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com. This covers all Jefferson County courts. A name search costs $9.99. You can see case details and some documents. This is the fastest way to find court outcomes for cases that started with Birmingham arrests.

Birmingham's Civil Rights History

Birmingham played a central role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The city's jails held thousands of protesters. The 1963 demonstrations led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. filled the city jail and the county jail. Images of police using fire hoses and dogs on protesters shocked the nation.

This history shapes how Birmingham views criminal justice today. The city works on reform efforts. Programs inside the jail aim to reduce repeat offenses. GED classes and substance abuse meetings help inmates prepare for release. The goal is to break the cycle of arrest and incarceration that affects many Birmingham families.

Mayor Randall Woodfin has made criminal justice reform a focus. The city looks at alternatives to jail for minor offenses. Community programs try to address root causes of crime. Birmingham still has high crime rates. But the city is trying new approaches based on lessons from its past.

Other Alabama Cities

Birmingham is one of ten Alabama cities with populations over 50,000. Each has its own page on this site with local inmate record information. Most cities use their county jail. Only Birmingham, Montgomery, Hoover, and Dothan have their own city jails.

• Huntsville - Uses Madison County Jail
• Mobile - Uses Mobile County Metro Jail
• Montgomery - Has municipal jail
• Tuscaloosa - Uses county jail
• Hoover - Has city jail
• Auburn - Uses Lee County jail
• Dothan - Has city jail
• Madison - Uses Madison County Jail
• Decatur - Uses Morgan County Jail

For state inmates serving more than one year, use the ADOC search. Go to doc.alabama.gov to search by name or AIS number. The ADOC database covers all Alabama state prisons. It does not show county or city jail inmates.

Jefferson County Inmate Records

Birmingham is in Jefferson County. The county jail handles felonies and serious charges from Birmingham and 34 other cities. Jefferson County processes over 43,000 inmates each year. The sheriff runs two jails with more than 1,200 total beds. For county inmate searches and more details on the county system, visit the Jefferson County page.

View Jefferson County Inmate Records