Find Madison Inmate Records
Madison inmate records are kept at the Madison County Jail in Huntsville. The city does not run its own jail. Madison Police arrest people and take them to the county facility. Madison spans parts of both Madison County and Limestone County. With about 64,029 residents, Madison is one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama.
Madison Quick Facts
Where Madison Inmates Are Held
Madison does not have a city jail. The Madison Police Department makes arrests but has no long-term holding. All inmates go to the Madison County Jail in Huntsville. This is the same jail that serves Huntsville and other Madison County cities. The county facility sits on Wheeler Avenue downtown in Huntsville.
When Madison Police arrest someone, they transport the person to the county jail. The sheriff's staff complete the booking process there. They take mugshots and fingerprints. They enter charges into the system. The county jail then holds the person until court or release. This is how it works for almost all Madison arrests.
Some Madison residents live in Limestone County. The city spans both counties. Arrests in the Limestone County part of Madison may go to the Limestone County Jail in Athens instead. Most of Madison sits in Madison County, so most arrests go to Huntsville. Check both rosters if you cannot find someone in Madison.
| Primary Facility | Madison County Detention Facility |
|---|---|
| Address | 815 Wheeler Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 |
| Phone | (256) 519-4800 |
| Hours | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Website | madisoncountysheriffal.org |
Madison Police Department
The Madison Police Department handles law enforcement in the city. The department has about 100 sworn officers. They patrol Madison and respond to calls. The main station is on Hughes Road. Officers make arrests and transport inmates to the county jail in Madison.
Chief Johnny Gandy leads the department. The records division can help with questions about arrests made in Madison. Call the main line to reach staff. They can tell you if someone was arrested by Madison Police. For current inmate status, contact the Madison County jail directly since that is where Madison inmates are held.
Madison Police work with other agencies in the area. They share info with Huntsville Police and the county sheriff. All these agencies send inmates to the same county jail. The roster at the county level shows arrests from across Madison County, including Madison city arrests.
| Police Department | Madison Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Hughes Road Madison, AL 35758 |
| Main Phone | (256) 772-5695 |
| Records Division | (256) 772-5695 |
| Website | madisonal.gov/police |
How to Search Madison Inmates Online
You can search for Madison inmates through the Madison County Sheriff website. The county posts a jail roster online for free. Go to madisoncountysheriffal.org/roster.php to search. This roster covers all inmates at the county jail, including people arrested in Madison.
The roster uses SmartWEB software. Enter a name to search. You can filter by booking date. Results show mugshots, charges, and bond amounts. The list updates throughout the day. New bookings appear within hours of arrival. Recent releases show for about 48 hours after someone leaves the Madison County jail.
To find Madison inmates, check these sources:
- Madison County Sheriff roster for current county jail inmates
- Limestone County roster if arrest was in that part of Madison
- ADOC Inmate Search for state prisoners from Madison
- Alacourt ACCESS for court records at $9.99 per search
For state inmates from Madison, use the ADOC search at doc.alabama.gov/inmatesearch. This is free for current state prisoners. Enter a name or AIS number for best results. The AIS is a six-digit code that state prisons use. County jail and state prison records are separate systems in Madison.
Madison Inmate Record Fees
The online jail roster is free. You pay nothing to search the Madison County inmate list. Fees apply when you need copies of records. The sheriff's office charges for official documents. Madison Police have their own fee schedule for arrest reports in Madison.
Contact the Madison County Sheriff Records Division at (256) 427-7020 for fee details. Background checks typically cost $5 to $25. Copy fees run about $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. For court records, try Alacourt ACCESS at $9.99 per name search.
Bond filing requires a $35 fee in Madison County. You pay by money order to the Circuit Clerk. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the bond amount. Cash bonds need the full amount. Property bonds require court approval. The jail uses Securus Technologies for phone services. JPay handles commissary deposits for Madison County inmates.
ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state prison records. The fee is not refundable even if no records exist. Current state inmate searches are free online. The county jail roster is also free to view for Madison inmates.
Madison's Growing Population
Madison is one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama. The population has more than doubled in the past 20 years. New residents move here for jobs in Huntsville. Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal bring workers to the area. This growth affects how the jail system handles Madison inmates.
Madison sits next to Huntsville, Alabama's largest city. The two cities share the Madison County Jail. Both police departments send inmates to the same facility. This means the jail serves a combined population of nearly 300,000 people. The 1,220-bed facility stays busy with bookings from across the county in Madison.
The city spans two counties. Most of Madison is in Madison County. A small section extends into Limestone County. This split creates a quirk for inmate records. Someone arrested in the Limestone County part of Madison might go to Athens instead of Huntsville. If you cannot find someone on the Madison County roster, try the Limestone County roster next.
Madison has relatively low crime rates for its size. The police department focuses on community policing. Most arrests are for minor offenses. DUI, drug possession, and domestic cases are common charges. The city has no city jail, so all inmates share the county facility with those from Huntsville and other Madison County cities.
Alabama Inmate Records Laws
Alabama law gives residents the right to view public records. This includes inmate data for Madison arrests. Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 says every resident can inspect and copy public records. Jail rosters fall under this law in Madison.
You do not need a reason to request records. The law applies to all public agencies including the Madison County Sheriff. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies when you pay a fair fee. They have 10 business days to acknowledge your request. Response is due within 15 business days in Madison County.
Some records are protected. Youthful offender files stay sealed under Section 15-19-7. Expunged records are hidden from public view. Medical records are private under federal law. Security info about jail operations may be blocked. Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests for Madison inmates.
The online roster is open to anyone. You do not need to be an Alabama resident to view it. Formal requests that require copies need proof of residency. A driver's license or voter card works as proof in Madison.
Other Alabama Cities
Madison is one of ten Alabama cities with over 50,000 people. Like most cities, Madison uses the county jail. Only Birmingham, Montgomery, Hoover, and Dothan run their own city jails in Alabama.
Madison County Inmate Records
Madison is primarily in Madison County. All Madison County arrests go to the detention facility in Huntsville. The county sheriff maintains inmate records after booking. For full details on the Madison County Jail, visiting hours, and bond info, see the county page.