Search Mobile Inmate Records
Mobile inmate records are kept at the Mobile County Metro Jail. Mobile is the second largest city in Alabama with over 201,000 residents. The city does not run its own jail. All arrests by Mobile Police go to the county Metro Jail for booking and holding. The Mobile County Sheriff runs the jail and keeps all inmate data. You can search the jail roster online for free at any time.
Mobile Quick Facts
Where Mobile Inmates Are Held
Mobile does not have a city jail. Like most Alabama cities, Mobile sends all arrests to the county facility. The Mobile County Metro Jail handles all inmates from Mobile and the rest of the county. This is one of the largest jails in the state with over 1,500 beds. The jail runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff book new inmates at all hours.
When Mobile Police make an arrest, they take the person to Metro Jail for booking. The process takes one to three hours on most days. Busy nights take longer. Once booked, the inmate shows up in the online roster. You can search for them by name right away. Bond info appears after the magistrate sets bail. Most inmates see a judge within 24 hours of arrest in Mobile.
| Facility | Mobile County Metro Jail |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 Saint Emanuel Street Mobile, AL 36603 |
| Phone | (251) 574-4700 |
| Hours | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Website | mobileso.com/metro-jail-2 |
The Metro Jail sits in downtown Mobile near the county courthouse. It serves as the main booking center for all law enforcement in Mobile County. City police, county deputies, and state troopers all bring arrests here. The jail also holds federal inmates at times under contract. Mobile residents looking for someone arrested in the city should start their search at Metro Jail. The jail roster covers all current inmates no matter which agency made the arrest.
Mobile Police Department
The Mobile Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. The department has about 475 sworn officers. They patrol an area of 159 square miles. Mobile is a port city on the Gulf Coast, which creates unique law enforcement needs. The department works closely with federal agencies on port security matters.
The police department does not hold inmates for long. They have holding cells for brief stays only. All arrests transfer to Metro Jail within hours. If you need arrest records from Mobile Police, you contact the Records Division. For current inmate status, you check the county jail roster instead. The two systems are separate but work together in Mobile.
| Department | Mobile Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 2460 Government Boulevard Mobile, AL 36606 |
| Phone | (251) 208-7211 |
| Records Division | (251) 208-1980 |
| Website | mobilepd.org |
The Mobile Police Records Division handles requests for arrest reports and incident reports. These are separate from jail records. An arrest report shows what happened during the arrest. The jail record shows current inmate status, charges, and bond. Most people searching for someone in Mobile need both types of records to get the full picture of a case.
How to Search Mobile Inmates Online
The Mobile County Sheriff runs a free online jail roster. The site is called "Who's in Jail" and shows all current inmates at Metro Jail. This includes everyone arrested in Mobile. The roster updates throughout the day as new bookings happen and inmates are released. You do not need an account to search. Just go to the site and type a name.
To search Mobile inmate records online, follow these steps:
- Go to mobileso.com/whos-in-jail
- Enter first name, last name, or both
- Click search to see results
- Click on an inmate name for full details
Search results show the mugshot, booking date, and charges. You see the bond amount if one has been set. The system shows the inmate's housing location in the jail. This helps if you plan to visit or send mail. The roster only shows current inmates. People who have been released will not appear. For past inmates, you need to contact the jail directly or use the state ADOC search if they went to prison.
The search works best with exact name spelling. Try different spellings if you get no results. Common name variations cause misses. You can also browse the full roster by clicking "View All Inmates" on the page. This shows everyone currently in Metro Jail in Mobile County. The list is long since the jail holds over 1,500 people most days.
Mobile Inmate Record Fees
Searching the online jail roster in Mobile is free. You pay nothing to look up current inmates. This covers most basic searches. Fees apply when you need official copies of records. Background checks also have costs. The county sets these fees, not the city of Mobile.
Common fees for inmate records in Mobile include:
- Online jail roster search: Free
- ADOC state inmate search: Free
- Alacourt court records: $9.99 per name
- Background check: $5 to $25
- Copy fees: $0.25 to $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $1.00 to $5.00 each
For state prison inmates, use the ADOC Inmate Search at doc.alabama.gov. This is also free. It only shows people serving more than one year in state prison. County jail inmates stay in the sheriff's system. If someone was arrested in Mobile and got a long sentence, they transfer to state prison. You then search ADOC instead of the county roster. The two systems do not link together.
Mobile County Metro Jail
The Mobile County Metro Jail is one of Alabama's largest county jails. It holds more than 1,500 inmates on most days. The jail processes thousands of bookings each year from Mobile and the surrounding area. The facility opened to replace the old county jail and has modern security systems throughout.
Metro Jail serves all of Mobile County, not just the city of Mobile. The sheriff runs the jail with a staff of corrections deputies. They handle booking, housing, medical care, and release. The jail also runs programs for inmates including GED classes and drug treatment. These programs aim to reduce repeat offenses when inmates return to Mobile.
Visiting at Metro Jail happens through video visitation now. In-person visits ended several years ago. You schedule video visits online through the jail's website. There is a fee for video visits that the family pays. You can also send money to inmates through approved services. The jail contracts with outside vendors for phone calls and commissary items.
Mail to inmates at Metro Jail must follow strict rules. Write the inmate's full name and booking number on the envelope. The address is 450 Saint Emanuel Street, Mobile, AL 36603. Staff screen all mail for contraband. Books and magazines must come from the publisher. You cannot send packages directly to inmates in Mobile. Money orders go to a separate address listed on the jail website.
How to Request Records in Mobile
You can request inmate records in Mobile through several methods. Online searches give basic current info for free. Phone calls work for quick questions. Written requests get you official copies. Each method has its uses depending on what you need from Mobile inmate records.
For current inmate status, the online roster is fastest. For arrest records from Mobile Police, call the Records Division at (251) 208-1980. For jail booking records, contact Metro Jail at (251) 574-4700. Court records come from the Mobile County Circuit Clerk. Each office handles different parts of the criminal justice process in Mobile.
Alabama law requires agencies to respond to records requests in a set time. Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, public records are open to inspection. Agencies must acknowledge your request within 10 business days. They must provide the records or explain why not within 15 business days. Only Alabama residents can make formal requests. You must show proof of residency like a driver's license.
Alabama Inmate Records Laws
Alabama law makes most inmate records public. This applies to Mobile and all other cities in the state. Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives every Alabama resident the right to inspect public records. This includes jail rosters, booking logs, and basic inmate information. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
Some records are not public even in Mobile. Youthful offender records stay sealed under Code of Alabama Section 15-19-7. These records can only be opened by court order. Expunged records are also sealed. Under Code of Alabama Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21, a person can petition to have their record expunged in certain cases. Once expunged, the record is hidden from public searches.
The state uses a split system for inmates. ADOC handles people serving more than one year. These are state prisoners. County jails like Metro Jail handle people serving one year or less. They also hold people waiting for trial. If you search for someone in Mobile, check both systems. The county roster shows local inmates. ADOC shows state prisoners. A person might be in either system depending on their case status.
Each state inmate gets a six-digit AIS number. AIS stands for Alabama Institutional Serial. This number is the best way to search state records. Names can have spelling errors. AIS numbers do not. If you have an AIS number for someone from Mobile who went to state prison, use it when you search ADOC records.
Get Alerts for Mobile Inmates
VINE lets you track inmates in Mobile. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a free service that sends alerts when an inmate's status changes. You get a call, text, or email when someone is released. This works for inmates at Metro Jail and throughout Alabama.
To sign up for VINE alerts in Mobile, go to vinelink.com or call 1-877-846-3425. You can register for alerts about any inmate in the system. Choose how you want to be notified. The system tracks the inmate automatically. When they transfer, get released, or escape, you get an alert right away. This is free for crime victims and anyone else who wants updates on an inmate in Mobile.
VINE is helpful for domestic violence cases. If you have a protective order, you want to know when the other person gets out. The alert gives you time to prepare. Law enforcement uses VINE too. It helps them track people with active warrants who might be released from another county jail. Mobile residents can track inmates held anywhere in Alabama through the same system.
Other Alabama Cities
Mobile is one of ten Alabama cities with over 50,000 residents. Each city handles inmate records differently. Some have their own jails while others use county facilities like Mobile does. Below are links to other major Alabama cities for inmate records searches.
- Huntsville - Uses Madison County Jail
- Birmingham - Has city jail (350 beds)
- 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
Mobile County Inmate Records
Mobile is the county seat of Mobile County. All inmate records for the city are kept at the county level by the Mobile County Sheriff. The Metro Jail serves all of Mobile County, including the city of Mobile and dozens of smaller towns. For more on the county jail system, inmate search tools, visiting rules, and related resources, visit the Mobile County inmate records page.