Choctaw County Inmate Records

Choctaw County inmate records require checking neighboring counties. The Choctaw County jail closed in July 2019. Inmates from Choctaw County are now housed in other county jails. The sheriff's office still handles arrests and can tell you where a person is held. Butler is the county seat where the sheriff's office is located.

Choctaw County Jail Closure

The Choctaw County jail closed permanently in July 2019. This is critical to know when searching for inmates. Anyone arrested in Choctaw County is now transported to a neighboring county jail. The sheriff's office can tell you which facility holds a specific person. You must check multiple counties to find inmates from Choctaw County.

The jail closed due to budget issues and building problems. Keeping the old jail open cost more than the small county could afford. Repairs would have been too expensive. The county commission decided to close it and pay other counties to house inmates. This is now the permanent arrangement for Choctaw County.

If someone was arrested in Choctaw County, call the sheriff's office first. They will know where the person was taken. Common destinations include Clarke County, Sumter County, and Washington County. Each of these counties has its own jail roster. You need to search the right county to find your person.

Note: The Choctaw County jail is closed. Do not go to Butler looking for the jail. There is no county jail there anymore. All inmates are housed in neighboring county facilities.

Choctaw County Sheriff's Office

The Choctaw County Sheriff's Office still operates in Butler. Deputies patrol the county and make arrests. They serve court papers and handle law enforcement. But they do not run a jail anymore. After an arrest, deputies transport people to a neighboring county jail in Choctaw County.

The sheriff's office can help you find inmates. Call them and ask where a person was taken. They keep records of where each person was transported. Staff can give you the phone number for the holding jail. This is the fastest way to track down someone arrested in Choctaw County.

For old records from before July 2019, contact the sheriff's office. They may have booking records from when the jail was open. These records are still public. You can request copies for a fee. Allow extra time for older requests in Choctaw County.

How to Search for Choctaw County Inmates

Finding inmates from Choctaw County takes extra steps. Since the jail closed, you must search multiple counties. Start by calling the Choctaw County Sheriff at (205) 459-2121. Ask where the person was taken. Then search that county's jail roster online or by phone.

The most likely holding counties are Clarke, Sumter, and Washington. Each has different search options. Clarke County does not have an online roster but you can call. Sumter County is phone only as well. Washington County has an online roster at washcoso.com. Check each one if the sheriff does not know for certain.

To find a Choctaw County inmate:

• Call Choctaw County Sheriff at (205) 459-2121
• Ask which county jail holds the person
• Search that county's roster online or by phone
• Check Washington County roster at washcoso.com

This process is more work than counties with open jails. But it is the only option since the Choctaw County jail closed. Keep the sheriff's number handy if you often need to check on inmates from this area. Staff there can point you in the right direction quickly.

For state prisoners from Choctaw County, use the ADOC Inmate Search. People with sentences over one year go to state prison. ADOC keeps those records no matter which county made the arrest.

Choctaw County Inmate Record Fees

Since Choctaw County has no jail, you pay fees to the county holding the inmate. Each county sets its own rates. Call ahead to find out what they charge. The Choctaw County Sheriff may charge for copies of old booking records from before the jail closed.

Bond filing still goes through Choctaw County courts. The Circuit Clerk handles bonds even though inmates are held elsewhere. The fee is around $35 for filing. Bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond. Work with a local bondsman who knows the system in Choctaw County.

For court records, try Alacourt ACCESS. This costs $9.99 per name search. Cases filed in Choctaw County still appear there. ADOC charges $25 minimum for old state inmate records. Copy fees vary by county for current booking records.

How to Request Records in Choctaw County

For current inmates, contact the jail holding them. The sheriff can tell you which county that is. Each county has its own request process. You submit requests to the county where the inmate is housed, not to Choctaw County directly.

For old records from before July 2019, contact the Choctaw County Sheriff. They may have booking records, mugshots, and case files from when the jail was open. Write a letter with the person's name and approximate dates. Include your contact info and payment for copy fees. Mail it to the sheriff's office in Butler.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, public records are open to Alabama residents. This applies to old jail records too. The office must respond within 15 business days. If records were destroyed or lost, they will tell you.

Court records for Choctaw County cases remain with the Circuit Clerk. These are separate from jail records. Request court files at the courthouse in Butler. Fees apply for certified copies of court documents.

Why Choctaw County Closed Its Jail

Choctaw County made headlines in 2019 when it closed its jail. The decision came down to money. The old jail building needed major repairs. The county could not afford to fix it. Running the jail cost more than paying other counties to house inmates. So the commission voted to shut it down in Choctaw County.

Choctaw County has about 12,500 residents. It is one of the poorest counties in Alabama. Tax revenue is low. The budget is tight. Keeping a jail open with 24-hour staffing stretched resources too thin. Other small Alabama counties have faced similar problems.

Now inmates from Choctaw County go to neighboring facilities. The county pays a daily rate for each inmate housed elsewhere. This arrangement has worked since July 2019. Some residents say it makes visiting harder. Travel to see inmates now takes longer. But the county had few other choices given the budget.

The courthouse in Butler still operates. Courts meet there. The sheriff's office runs out of there. Only the jail function moved away. Law enforcement continues in Choctaw County. Just the detention part happens elsewhere now.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law gives residents the right to access public records. This includes jail records even from closed jails. Knowing these rules helps when you make a request involving Choctaw County. The laws apply no matter where an inmate is held.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives you the right to inspect public records. This covers booking logs and inmate files. You do not need a reason for your request. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies for a fair fee.

Some records stay sealed. Youthful offender files are protected under Section 15-19-7. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. Medical data stays private. These rules apply to all Alabama counties including Choctaw County.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. Show proof like a driver's license. Out-of-state requests may be denied. For old Choctaw County jail records, submit your request to the sheriff's office in Butler.

Cities in Choctaw County

Choctaw County has a few small towns. Butler is the county seat. Other towns include Lisman, Gilbertown, and Silas. All are very small. There are no large cities here. Police agencies send arrested people to neighboring county jails since the local jail closed.

The county sits in southwest Alabama near the Mississippi border. It is mostly rural with forests and farmland. The population is spread out. Getting to services often means driving to a larger town in another county. This affects jail visits too when family members must travel farther.

None of the cities in Choctaw County have populations over 50,000. They do not have separate city pages on this site. For inmate info, contact the sheriff's office first to learn where inmates are held.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Choctaw County. Since the Choctaw jail is closed, inmates are housed in these or other nearby counties. Check their jail rosters when looking for someone arrested in Choctaw County.