Jefferson County Inmate Records

Jefferson County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in Birmingham. The county runs two jail facilities and processes over 43,000 inmates each year. This is the largest jail system in Alabama. The sheriff maintains an online roster where you can search current inmates for free. Both the Birmingham and Bessemer jails use the same search portal in Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office runs both jail facilities in the county. About 185 corrections deputies staff the two locations. The main jail sits in downtown Birmingham near the courthouse. A second jail operates in Bessemer on the west side of the county. Both facilities take inmates from local police agencies across Jefferson County.

Sheriff Mark Pettway leads the department. The corrections division handles all booking, housing, and releases. Staff work around the clock to process new arrivals. The jails use Tyler Technologies software for inmate management. This is one of the most advanced systems in Alabama. It powers the online inmate search portal that anyone can use for free in Jefferson County.

You can contact the sheriff's office by phone or in person. The main office is open during business hours. The jails operate 24 hours a day. Call ahead if you plan to visit or need info about a specific inmate in Jefferson County.

How to Search Jefferson County Inmates Online

Jefferson County offers a free online inmate search. You can look up current inmates at any time. The system shows people held at both the Birmingham and Bessemer jails. Results include mugshots, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. The roster updates throughout the day as new inmates arrive in Jefferson County.

Go to the sheriff's website at jeffcosheriffal.com and click on "Corrections" to find the inmate search. You can also go directly to sheriff.jccal.org for the search portal. Enter a name to search. You can filter results by facility if you know which jail the person is in. The search covers current inmates and recent releases in Jefferson County.

To search Jefferson County inmates, you need this info:

• First or last name of the person
• Approximate booking date if known
• Which facility if known (Birmingham or Bessemer)

The Tyler Technologies system shows detailed results. Each inmate profile lists all current charges with bond amounts. You see the booking date and housing location. Release dates appear when set. The system also shows if someone has a hold from another agency. This is useful when tracking inmates who may face charges in other counties in Alabama.

For state prisoners from Jefferson County, use the ADOC Inmate Search instead. The county roster only shows current county jail inmates. People with sentences over one year transfer to state prison. ADOC handles those records separately.

Jefferson County Inmate Record Fees

The online inmate roster is free to search. You pay nothing to look up who is in jail in Jefferson County. Fees apply when you need official copies or want to request records by mail. The sheriff's office can provide copies of booking records for a fee.

Bond filing requires payment to the Circuit Clerk. The standard filing fee is $35 in Jefferson County. You pay by money order. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond amount. Cash bonds require the full amount upfront. Property bonds need approval from the court in Jefferson County.

For court records tied to criminal cases, try Alacourt ACCESS. This state system costs $9.99 per name search. You get case details, charges, and outcomes. Document images cost extra. This is a good backup when you need more than what the jail roster shows in Jefferson County.

ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state inmate records. County background checks range from $5 to $25. Copy fees at the sheriff's office are about $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call ahead to confirm current fees before making a request in Jefferson County.

How to Request Records in Jefferson County

You can request inmate records in person, by phone, or by mail in Jefferson County. The method you use depends on what you need. In-person visits work best for urgent requests. Phone calls handle quick questions. Mail requests work for official copies.

To request in person, go to the jail during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell the staff what records you need. They can search the system and print copies while you wait. Some requests may take longer if the records are archived. Be ready to pay any fees at the time of your visit in Jefferson County.

For mail requests, write a letter that includes the full name of the inmate, date of birth if known, and what records you need. Include your contact info and a check or money order for any fees. Mail it to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at 2200 8th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203. Allow two to three weeks for a response.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, public records are open to Alabama residents. The agency must acknowledge your request within 10 business days. They must respond within 15 business days after that. If they deny your request, they must give a reason in writing in Jefferson County.

Jefferson County's Two Jails

Jefferson County operates two separate jail facilities. This is unusual in Alabama. Most counties have just one jail. Jefferson County splits operations between Birmingham and Bessemer to serve the large population. Combined capacity tops 1,200 beds. The two-jail setup helps spread the workload across the county.

The Birmingham jail is the main facility. It sits downtown near the courthouse. Most inmates from Birmingham and east Jefferson County go here. The jail has been expanded several times over the years. It now handles the bulk of the county's daily population. Pre-trial hearings happen nearby, so transport is quick for court appearances in Jefferson County.

The Bessemer jail serves west Jefferson County. Cities like Bessemer, Hueytown, and Pleasant Grove send inmates here. This jail is smaller but handles a steady flow of bookings. It has its own pre-trial release staff. Both facilities use the same booking software, so records sync across locations in Jefferson County.

Birmingham also runs a separate city jail. This is not part of the county system. The city jail handles municipal charges and short sentences. County and state charges go to the sheriff's facilities. If you are searching for someone in Birmingham, check both the city and county rosters. They are separate systems with different inmate populations in Jefferson County.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law gives residents the right to access public records including inmate data. Several statutes govern how these records work in Jefferson County. Knowing the rules helps when you make a request or want to understand what info is available.

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 establishes the right to inspect public records. This covers jail rosters, booking logs, and most inmate files. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The law applies to all public agencies in Jefferson County. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies upon request and payment of a fair fee.

Some records are protected from public view. Youthful offender files stay sealed under Section 15-19-7. Expunged records are hidden under Sections 15-27-1 through 15-27-21. Medical data stays private under federal HIPAA rules. Security info about jail operations may be blocked in Jefferson County.

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 be denied. But the online jail roster is open to anyone with internet access. This lets non-residents search current inmates without a formal request in Jefferson County.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has over 35 cities and towns. All of them use the Jefferson County jail system. City police make arrests and bring people to one of the two county jails. Which jail depends on where the arrest happened. East side cities use Birmingham. West side cities use Bessemer in Jefferson County.

Birmingham is the county seat and largest city. It has its own city jail separate from the county system. Hoover spans both Jefferson and Shelby counties. Hoover arrests may go to either county depending on location. Other major cities include Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Trussville, and Gardendale in Jefferson County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jefferson County. If you are not sure where someone is held, check nearby counties too. Inmates sometimes transfer between jurisdictions. Each county runs its own jail and roster system.