Search Houston County Inmate Records

Houston County inmate records are available online through the sheriff's website. The county offers a free jail roster powered by Southern Software. You can search current inmates by name at any time. Dothan serves as the county seat and largest city. Houston County sits in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama near the Florida and Georgia borders.

Houston County Sheriff's Office

The Houston County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and maintains all inmate records. Sheriff Donald Valenza leads the department. The office sits in Dothan near the courthouse complex. Deputies patrol the county, serve legal papers, and provide courthouse security. The jail staff handle bookings, releases, and day-to-day operations around the clock in Houston County.

Houston County is one of the larger counties in southeast Alabama. Over 107,000 people live here. Dothan is the main city with a population over 71,000. This urban center brings more arrests and a larger jail population than rural neighbors. The jail uses Southern Software to manage inmate data. This system powers the online roster that anyone can search for free in Houston County.

The sheriff's office has served Houston County since 1903 when the county was formed from parts of Dale, Geneva, and Henry counties. Dothan was already a growing town at that time. Today the county ranks among the most populated in southeast Alabama. The larger tax base allows for better technology like the online inmate search system in Houston County.

How to Search Houston County Inmates Online

Houston County offers a free online jail roster. Go to houstoncosoal.gov and look for the inmate listing link. The search uses Southern Software, a common system in Alabama. You can find current inmates by name. Results show mugshots, charges, and bond amounts. The roster updates daily as new inmates arrive in Houston County.

Enter a first or last name to start a search. The system shows matching results from current inmates. Click on a name to see details. You get the mugshot, booking date, and list of charges. Bond amounts appear for each charge. The search only shows people currently in jail. Released inmates drop off the roster within 24 to 48 hours in Houston County.

To search Houston County inmates online, you need:

• First or last name of the person
• No account or login required
• Access to the internet

The Southern Software system is easy to use. It works on computers, tablets, and phones. No signup is needed. The search is free. You can check multiple times if you are tracking someone's status. The roster is a public record available to anyone in Houston County.

For state prisoners from Houston County, use the ADOC Inmate Search. This free tool shows current state inmates. Enter a name or AIS number. The AIS is the six-digit code ADOC assigns each state prisoner. State records are separate from the county jail roster in Houston County.

Houston County Inmate Record Fees

The online jail roster is free to search in Houston County. You pay nothing to look up current inmates. The Southern Software system costs the county to run, but the search is open to the public at no charge. Fees apply when you need official copies or written records from the sheriff's office in Houston County.

Bond posting goes through the Circuit Clerk. The filing fee is $35 in most Alabama counties. You pay by money order or cashier's check. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond. Cash bonds require the full amount upfront. Property bonds need a judge's approval. Contact the clerk for exact fees in Houston County.

For court records, try Alacourt ACCESS. This statewide system costs $9.99 per name search. It shows criminal cases, charges, and outcomes. ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state inmate records. Copy fees at the sheriff's office run around $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more in Houston County.

How to Request Records in Houston County

You can request inmate records in person, by phone, or by mail in Houston County. The online roster answers most basic questions. When you need official copies, you have to contact the office directly. The method you choose depends on how formal your needs are.

For in-person requests, go to the sheriff's office at 462 North Oates Street in Dothan. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell staff what records you need. They can search the system and make copies. Some requests take time if records are older. Be ready to pay fees when you pick up the copies in Houston County.

For mail requests, write a letter with the inmate's full name and date of birth. Describe what records you need. Include your contact info and a check or money order for fees. Send it to the Houston County Sheriff's Office at 462 North Oates Street, Dothan, AL 36303. Allow two to three weeks for a response in Houston County.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, Alabama residents have the right to view public records. The office must acknowledge requests within 10 business days. They must respond within 15 more days. If they deny a request, they must explain why in writing. These rules apply to all public records in Houston County.

Houston County and the Peanut Capital

Houston County is home to Dothan, known as the "Peanut Capital of the World." The area grows more peanuts than any other region in the country. Agriculture has shaped the local economy for over a century. The National Peanut Festival draws thousands each fall. This heritage makes Houston County unique among Alabama's 67 counties.

The agricultural economy affects the justice system in subtle ways. Seasonal workers arrive during planting and harvest times. Population swings during the festival season. The jail sees different patterns than urban counties. Property crimes related to farm equipment occur. Rural roads spread across the county. Deputies cover a lot of ground in Houston County.

Dothan grew rapidly in the 20th century. It became the commercial hub of the Wiregrass region. Shopping, healthcare, and jobs draw people from surrounding counties. This economic center brings more activity and more arrests than smaller towns. The Houston County jail serves not just locals but people passing through the area.

The county also sits at the intersection of three states. Alabama, Georgia, and Florida all meet within about 20 miles of Dothan. Interstate travel brings people through daily. Crimes involving out-of-state suspects are common. The sheriff's office works with agencies in all three states. Extradition requests flow back and forth regularly in Houston County.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law protects the right to access public records. This includes inmate data kept by the Houston County Sheriff. Several statutes set the rules for access. The online roster makes much of this info easy to find. But knowing the law helps when you need more formal records.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 gives the right to inspect public records. Jail rosters and booking logs are included. You do not have to explain why you want them. Under Section 36-12-41, the office must provide copies when you ask and pay the fee. These rules apply to Houston County.

Some records stay private. Youthful offender files are sealed under Section 15-19-7. A court may allow access in rare cases. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. Medical info stays private under federal HIPAA rules. Security details about the jail may also be blocked in Houston County.

Only Alabama residents can make formal written requests. Show proof of residency like a driver's license or voter card. Out-of-state requests may be refused. However, the online jail roster is open to anyone with internet access. You can search without proving residency. This makes checking on inmates easy regardless of where you live for Houston County.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County has several cities and towns. Dothan is the largest with over 71,000 people. It is the only city in the county with a population over 50,000. Dothan has its own city jail for municipal charges. County charges and serious felonies go to the Houston County jail. Both facilities keep separate inmate records in Houston County.

Other towns include Ashford, Columbia, Cottonwood, and Webb. These are small communities that use the county jail. Town police make arrests and transport people to the sheriff's facility. The county then handles custody. If you are looking for someone, check both the city and county systems if they were arrested in Dothan in Houston County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Houston County. If you cannot find someone locally, try searching nearby counties. Inmates sometimes transfer between jurisdictions. Each county keeps its own records. You may need to check multiple locations in the Wiregrass region.