Search Madison County Jail Roster

Madison County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in Huntsville. The county jail holds up to 1,220 inmates, making it the second largest facility in Alabama. Sheriff Kevin Turner leads the department. The online roster uses SmartWEB software and lets you search current inmates for free. Madison County serves the Huntsville metro area, now Alabama's most populated city.

Madison County Sheriff's Office

The Madison County Sheriff's Office runs the detention facility in Huntsville. Sheriff Kevin Turner heads the department. The jail sits on Wheeler Avenue near downtown. Staff work around the clock to process new arrivals. The facility handles all county arrests from local police agencies across Madison County. About 300 deputies and staff serve the department.

The corrections division manages booking, housing, and releases. Chief of Corrections Chad Brooks oversees daily jail operations. The detention center opened in the 1990s and has been expanded to meet growing demand. Madison County is one of the fastest growing areas in Alabama. This growth puts pressure on jail capacity. The 1,220-bed facility often runs near full.

You can contact the sheriff's office by phone or visit in person. The main office handles general questions. The jail has separate phone lines for booking info and visitation scheduling. Call ahead if you need info about a specific inmate in Madison County.

How to Search Madison County Inmates Online

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

Go to the sheriff's website at madisoncountysheriffal.org and click on "Inmate Roster" to find the search. The link takes you to the SmartWEB portal. Enter a first or last name to search. You can also filter by booking date. The roster shows current inmates and releases from the past 48 hours in Madison County.

To search Madison County inmates, you need this info:

• First or last name of the person
• Approximate booking date if known
• Date of birth if available

The SmartWEB 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 visitation status. This tells you if an inmate can receive visitors at the jail. Check the profile before scheduling a visit in Madison County.

For state prisoners from Madison 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. The state assigns each inmate a six-digit AIS number that helps track them across facilities.

Madison County Inmate Record Fees

The online inmate roster is free to search. You pay nothing to look up who is in jail in Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 works well when you need more than what the jail roster shows in Madison 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 the records division at (256) 427-7020 to confirm current fees before making a request in Madison County.

The jail uses Securus Technologies for phone calls. Family members set up accounts online. Rates vary by call type and duration. Commissary deposits go through JPay. There is a daily limit on deposits. Check the JPay website for current limits and fees.

How to Request Records in Madison County

You can request inmate records in person, by phone, or by mail in Madison 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 sheriff's office 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 Madison 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 Madison County Sheriff's Office at 100 North Side Square, Huntsville, AL 35801. 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 Madison County.

Madison County Serves Huntsville and NASA Area

Madison County serves Alabama's largest city. Huntsville passed Birmingham in population during the 2020 census. The city now has over 230,000 residents. Growth shows no signs of slowing. New people move here every month for jobs in tech and defense. This creates unique challenges for law enforcement in Madison County.

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center sits in Huntsville. Redstone Arsenal brings thousands of military and civilian workers. Cummings Research Park hosts over 300 tech companies. These employers draw workers from across the country and around the world. Many new residents are not familiar with Alabama law. The transient workforce affects crime patterns and jail populations in Madison County.

The jail often holds people with out-of-state warrants. Interstate transfers are common. The sheriff's office works with federal agencies on cases involving government contractors. Security clearance issues can complicate some cases. The high-tech workforce means white collar crimes appear more often than in rural counties in Madison County.

Despite the large population, Madison County has a relatively low crime rate compared to other major Alabama metros. The strong economy and educated workforce contribute to public safety. But the 1,220-bed jail still runs near capacity. Growth continues to outpace infrastructure. The county is planning expansion to meet future needs in Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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. The court may allow access in special cases. 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 Madison 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 Madison County. Prosecutors and law enforcement can access sealed records for official use.

Court clerks must enter sentencing orders into the State Judicial Information System within five days under Section 14-3-30. This keeps records current across the state. Records can only be destroyed with consent of the State Records Commission under Section 41-13-5. Madison County follows these retention rules carefully.

Visiting Inmates at Madison County Jail

Video visitation is the main way to visit inmates at the Madison County jail. In-person contact visits are limited. You must schedule visits in advance. Call the visitation line at (256) 519-4864 Monday through Friday. Hours for scheduling are 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Only inmates held 30 days or more can have scheduled visits. New inmates must wait before receiving visitors. Check the inmate's profile online to see their visitation status. Some inmates have holds that block visits entirely. Have the inmate's name and booking number ready when you call in Madison County.

Visitors must be on the inmate's approved list. The inmate submits names for approval. This process takes several days. Bring a valid photo ID to your visit. Follow all dress code rules. Staff may turn away visitors who do not comply with jail policies in Madison County.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Madison County jail. City police make arrests and bring people to the county detention facility. Huntsville is the county seat and largest city. The city of Madison sits to the west and has grown rapidly in recent years in Madison County.

Huntsville does not run a full jail. The police department has a holding facility for short stays. Then inmates transfer to the county jail. Madison city follows the same pattern. Smaller towns like New Hope, Hazel Green, and Owens Cross Roads also send inmates to the county facility in Madison County.

Note: Madison city spans both Madison County and Limestone County. Arrests in Madison may go to either county jail depending on where the crime occurred. Check both county rosters if you cannot find someone.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madison 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.

Get Alerts When Inmates Are Released

VINE lets you track inmates across Alabama. Sign up at vinelink.com or call 877-846-3425. You get alerts when someone is released from custody. This works for Madison County jail and state prisons. The service is free and confidential.

Victims of crime can register to get notified about offender status changes. You receive updates by phone, email, or text. This helps you stay informed without having to check the roster daily. VINE covers all Alabama counties including Madison County.