Monroe County Inmate Records

Monroe County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in Monroeville. The county does not have an online jail roster. You must call the jail to check on inmates. Sheriff Thomas Tate leads the department. Monroeville is the county seat and famous as the hometown of Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird. The old courthouse inspired the novel's courtroom scenes.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail in Monroeville. Sheriff Thomas Tate heads the department. The jail sits near the courthouse in downtown Monroeville. Staff work around the clock to handle booking and releases. The facility serves this rural south Alabama county. Deputies patrol a large area with farms, forests, and small towns in Monroe County.

The corrections staff manage daily jail operations. They handle intake, housing, and release processing. The jail holds people waiting for trial and those serving short sentences. Inmates with sentences over one year transfer to state prison. The sheriff's office also handles civil papers, court security, and law enforcement across Monroe County.

You can contact the sheriff's office by phone during business hours. The jail takes calls around the clock for inmate questions. Stop by in person if you need to post bond or pick someone up. Bring valid ID when you visit. The staff can tell you if someone is in custody in Monroe County.

How to Search Monroe County Inmates

Monroe County does not offer an online inmate roster. The sheriff's office has limited web presence. To find out who is in jail, you must call the jail directly. The staff can tell you if someone is currently in custody in Monroe County. Have the person's name and date of birth ready when you call.

For state inmates from Monroe County, use the ADOC Inmate Search instead. This free tool shows current state prisoners. Enter the person's name or AIS number to search. The state assigns each inmate a six-digit AIS number when they enter prison. This number stays with them throughout their sentence in Monroe County.

To search for Monroe County inmates, you need this info:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth if known
• Approximate arrest date if available

The jail staff can give basic info over the phone. They tell you if someone is in custody. They can share charge info and bond amounts. For detailed records or official copies, you need to make a formal request. The lack of an online roster means more phone calls for anyone searching in Monroe County.

Court records are available through Alacourt ACCESS. This state system costs $9.99 per name search. You get access to criminal, civil, and traffic cases from Monroe County. This can fill gaps when the jail roster is not online. The court system keeps records even after someone leaves jail.

Monroe County Inmate Record Fees

Phone inquiries to the jail are free. You pay nothing to ask if someone is in custody in Monroe County. Fees apply when you need official copies or background checks. The sheriff's office can provide records for a fee. Call ahead to confirm current prices before making a request.

Bond filing requires payment to the Circuit Clerk. The standard filing fee is $35 in Monroe 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 first.

ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state inmate records. This covers searching old files and providing copies. The fee is not refundable even if no records exist. Fill out Form 23-A and send it to Montgomery with your payment. Allow two to four weeks for a response about Monroe County cases.

County background checks typically cost $5 to $25. Copy fees run about $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Court records through Alacourt are $9.99 per name search. Document images have extra fees. These costs add up if you need detailed records from Monroe County.

How to Request Records in Monroe County

You can request Monroe County inmate records by phone, in person, or by mail. Phone works best for quick questions about current inmates. In-person visits let you see files directly. Mail requests get you official copies with proof of what you received.

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 help you with your request. Some records may take time to gather. Be ready to pay any fees at the time of your visit in Monroe County.

For mail requests, write a letter with the inmate's full name and date of birth. State what records you need and include your contact info. Add a check or money order for any fees. Mail it to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 63 North Mount Pleasant Avenue, Monroeville, AL 36460. Allow two to three weeks for a response.

Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, public records are open to Alabama residents. Agencies must acknowledge your request within 10 business days. They must respond within 15 business days after that. If they deny your request, they must explain why in writing in Monroe County.

Monroe County and Harper Lee's Legacy

Monroe County is famous as the home of Harper Lee. The author of To Kill a Mockingbird was born in Monroeville in 1926. She died here in 2016. The novel drew heavily from her childhood in this small Alabama town. The courthouse in Monroeville inspired the courtroom scenes in the book and 1962 film in Monroe County.

The old Monroe County Courthouse is now a museum. It hosts an annual production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Visitors come from around the world to see where the story began. The courtroom trial scenes are performed in the actual courtroom. This literary tourism shapes the town's identity in Monroe County.

The novel deals with racial injustice in the Depression-era South. Scout Finch watches her father defend a Black man accused of a crime in a fictional version of Monroeville. The story reflects real tensions of that time. Civil rights history runs deep here. The justice system has changed, but that history remains in Monroe County.

Truman Capote also grew up in Monroeville. He and Harper Lee were childhood friends. Capote based the character Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird on himself. Both writers put this small town on the literary map. Monroe County celebrates this heritage while serving a modern rural community in Monroe 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 Monroe 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. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies upon request and payment of a fair fee in Monroe County.

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 in Monroe 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. Since Monroe County lacks an online roster, this limits access for people who cannot call or visit in person. State inmate data through ADOC is open to anyone online.

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. Monroe County follows these retention rules.

Visiting Inmates at Monroe County Jail

The Monroe County jail allows inmate visitation on a set schedule. Call the jail to get current visiting hours. Times may change based on staffing and jail conditions. Plan your visit ahead of time. Showing up without checking first may lead to a wasted trip in Monroe 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. No revealing clothing allowed. Leave valuables in your car before entering the jail in Monroe County.

The jail may cancel visits during lockdowns or emergencies. Bad weather can also affect visits. Call the morning of your planned visit to confirm. The small facility means limited space for visitors. Arrive early to avoid delays in Monroe County.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County has several small towns and communities. All of them use the Monroe County jail for inmate housing. City police make arrests and bring people to the county facility. Monroeville is the county seat and largest city with about 6,000 people in Monroe County.

Other communities include Frisco City, Excel, and Beatrice. None of these have their own jails. All arrests go to the county facility in Monroeville. The sheriff's office is the central point for inmate records across all cities and towns in Monroe County.

Note: Monroe County has no cities with populations over 50,000, so no city-specific pages are available for this county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monroe County. If you cannot find someone in the Monroe County jail, 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 Monroe 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 call the jail every day. VINE covers all Alabama counties including Monroe County.