Montgomery County Inmate Search

Montgomery County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in the state capital. The county jail holds up to 1,290 inmates at any time. This is one of the largest jail facilities in Alabama. You can search the online roster for free using the CountyGovServices platform. Montgomery County is unique because the city also runs a separate municipal jail downtown.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office manages the county detention facility. The jail sits on South Perry Street in downtown Montgomery. Staff work around the clock to process new arrivals and handle releases. The facility serves as the main holding location for arrests made across the entire county. Corrections deputies run the day-to-day operations under the sheriff's leadership.

Sheriff Derrick Cunningham leads the department. The corrections division handles all booking, housing, and inmate services at the Montgomery County jail. The facility has grown over the years to meet demand. With 1,290 beds, it ranks among the largest county jails in Alabama. Only Jefferson and Mobile counties have more capacity. The sheriff's office also oversees court security and civil process serving in Montgomery County.

You can contact the sheriff's office by phone or visit in person. The main office is open during regular business hours. The jail operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call ahead if you need info about a specific inmate or want to schedule a visit. Staff can answer questions about bonds, visiting hours, and how to send money to inmates in Montgomery County.

How to Search Montgomery County Inmates Online

Montgomery County offers a free online inmate search. The roster uses the CountyGovServices platform. You can look up current inmates at any time of day. Results include mugshots, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. The roster updates throughout the day as new inmates arrive at the Montgomery County jail.

Go to mcsojail.countygovservices.com to search current inmates. You can also reach it through the sheriff's website at montgomerysheriff.com and click on the jail section. Enter a name to search. The system shows people currently held at the Montgomery County Detention Facility. Results list all charges with bond amounts for each one.

To search Montgomery County inmates, you need this info:

• First or last name of the person
• Approximate booking date if known
• Date of birth for narrowing results

The CountyGovServices system shows detailed inmate profiles. Each profile lists current charges and the associated bond amounts. You see the booking date and arrest date. Housing location appears for each inmate. The system also shows holds from other agencies. This helps track inmates who may face charges in other counties or have federal holds in Montgomery County.

For state prisoners who were arrested in Montgomery County, use the ADOC Inmate Search instead. The county roster only shows current county jail inmates. People sentenced to more than one year transfer to state prison. ADOC keeps those records in a separate database. The state system uses AIS numbers for precise searches.

Montgomery County Inmate Record Fees

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

Bond filing requires payment to the Circuit Clerk. The standard filing fee is $35 in Montgomery County. You pay by money order or cashier's check. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond amount as their fee. Cash bonds need the full amount paid upfront. Property bonds require court approval and take longer to process in Montgomery 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 court outcomes. Document images cost extra. This works when you need more than what the jail roster shows in Montgomery County.

ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state inmate records. That fee is not refundable even if no records exist. County background checks range from $5 to $25 depending on what you need. Copy fees at the sheriff's office are about $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call ahead to check current fees before making a request in Montgomery County.

How to Request Records in Montgomery County

You can request inmate records in person, by phone, or by mail in Montgomery County. The method depends on what you need and how fast you need it. In-person visits work best for urgent requests. Phone calls handle quick questions about current inmates. Mail requests work for official copies and background checks.

To request in person, go to the sheriff's office at 100 South Lawrence Street 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 take longer if the records are old or archived. Be ready to pay fees at the time of your visit in Montgomery County.

For mail requests, write a letter that includes the full name of the inmate and date of birth if known. State what records you need and why. Include your contact info and a check or money order for any fees. Mail it to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office at 100 South Lawrence Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. Allow two to four 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 have to respond within 15 business days after that. If they deny your request, they must give a written reason in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County as State Capital

Montgomery County holds a unique position in Alabama. The city of Montgomery is the state capital. This means the county hosts many state government buildings and offices. The Alabama Department of Corrections headquarters sits here. ADOC runs the statewide inmate search from Montgomery. But local arrests still go through the county sheriff's system in Montgomery County.

Being the state capital brings some differences. State employees live and work here. Legislative sessions bring visitors from across Alabama. Major court cases at the state level happen in Montgomery. This can affect jail populations during busy periods. The county jail sees a mix of local arrests and people with cases at higher court levels in Montgomery County.

Montgomery has both a county jail and a separate city municipal jail. This is rare in Alabama. Most cities do not run their own jails. The municipal jail sits at 103 North Perry Street in downtown Montgomery. It handles city ordinance violations and short stays. County charges go to the sheriff's facility on South Perry Street. Check both systems when searching for someone arrested in the city of Montgomery.

The city police and county sheriff work together. City police make arrests within Montgomery city limits. Many of those inmates transfer to the county jail within a day or two. The municipal jail mainly handles people waiting for court dates on minor charges. Serious felonies and state charges go to the county from the start. Understanding this split helps when you search for inmates in Montgomery County.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

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

Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40 sets up 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 Montgomery County. Under Section 36-12-41, agencies must provide copies upon request and payment of a fair fee.

Some records stay protected from public view. Youthful offender files are 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 also be blocked in Montgomery County.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. You must show proof of residency like a driver's license or voter registration 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 filing a formal request in Montgomery County.

Cities in Montgomery County

Montgomery County has several cities and towns. The city of Montgomery dominates the county as both the county seat and state capital. It has a population over 195,000. Other communities include Pike Road, which has grown fast in recent years. Smaller towns dot the county as well. All local police agencies bring arrests to the county jail system in Montgomery County.

Montgomery city runs its own municipal jail separate from the county. City ordinance violations may stay at the municipal jail downtown. County and state charges go to the sheriff's facility. Pike Road and other towns use the county jail directly. They do not have their own lock-up facilities in Montgomery County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Montgomery County. If you cannot find someone in the Montgomery County roster, check nearby counties too. Inmates sometimes transfer between jurisdictions. Each county runs its own jail and has its own online roster system.