Search Morgan County Jail Roster

Morgan County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in Decatur. The county offers an online jail roster through the sheriff's website. You can search current inmates for free. Sheriff Ron Puckett leads the department. Decatur is the county seat and largest city, with a population over 57,000. The jail facility with annex holds up to 994 inmates in Morgan County.

Morgan County Sheriff's Office

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail in Decatur. Sheriff Ron Puckett heads the department. The office sits near downtown Decatur along the Tennessee River. Staff work around the clock to process new inmates and handle releases. The facility serves this mid-sized north Alabama county in Morgan County.

The corrections division manages booking, housing, and daily operations. They handle intake processing for all arrests across the county. The main jail and annex combined hold up to 994 inmates. This makes it one of the larger facilities in north Alabama. Inmates with sentences over one year transfer to state prison. ADOC takes over records for those state inmates from Morgan County.

You can contact the sheriff's office by phone or visit in person. The main office handles general questions during business hours. The jail takes calls around the clock for inmate inquiries. Stop by if you need to post bond or pick someone up. Always bring valid ID when you visit in Morgan County.

How to Search Morgan County Inmates Online

Morgan County offers a free online inmate roster. You can look up current inmates at any time. The roster shows people held at the Decatur jail. Results include mugshots, charges, and bond amounts. The system updates as new inmates arrive and others are released from Morgan County.

Go to the sheriff's website at morgancountysheriffal.gov/roster.php to access the roster. The page shows all current inmates in custody. Each listing includes the person's name, photo, and booking details. You can browse the list or search for a specific name in Morgan County.

To search Morgan County inmates, you need this info:

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

The roster page lists all current inmates with photos. Each entry shows charges and bond amounts. You see when the person was booked. The page updates regularly to show new arrivals. This makes it easy to check who is in jail in Morgan County without calling the office.

For state prisoners from Morgan 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 for tracking across facilities.

Morgan County Inmate Record Fees

The online inmate roster is free to search. You pay nothing to look up who is in jail in Morgan 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 Morgan 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 court approval first.

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 when you need more than what the jail roster shows in Morgan 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 office to confirm current fees before making a request in Morgan County.

How to Request Records in Morgan County

You can request inmate records online, in person, by phone, or by mail in Morgan County. Online works best for checking current inmates. Phone calls handle quick questions. In-person visits work for complex requests. Mail requests get you 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 records are archived in Morgan County.

For mail requests, write a letter with the inmate's full name and date of birth if known. State what records you need and include your contact info. Add a check or money order for any fees. Mail it to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office at 119 Lee Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601. 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 Morgan County.

Morgan County Jail Facility and Annex

Morgan County operates one of the larger jail facilities in north Alabama. The main jail and annex combined hold up to 994 inmates. This capacity ranks among the top in the state. The annex expansion helped address overcrowding issues. Modern security systems help manage the large inmate population in Morgan County.

The jail serves a growing area. Decatur is the largest city with over 57,000 people. Hartselle adds another 15,000. The county population exceeds 125,000. Interstate 65 runs through the county bringing traffic and growth. This highway also brings law enforcement challenges in Morgan County.

The facility handles inmates from local police agencies across the county. Decatur Police, Hartselle Police, and other departments all use the county jail. This centralized system keeps records in one place. Families can check one roster to find someone arrested anywhere in Morgan County.

The sheriff's office has invested in technology. The online roster provides real-time inmate info. Booking photos and charge details appear quickly after arrest. This transparency helps families and the public. Few rural counties offer this level of online access. Morgan County leads in this area among mid-sized Alabama counties.

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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County.

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. Morgan County follows these retention rules.

Visiting Inmates at Morgan County Jail

The Morgan County jail allows inmate visitation on a set schedule. Call the jail to get current visiting hours and rules. Times may change based on staffing and jail conditions. Plan your visit ahead of time. Arriving without checking first may result in a wasted trip in Morgan 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 or clothing similar to inmate uniforms allowed in Morgan County.

The large facility has more visiting capacity than smaller jails. But demand is also higher. Schedule your visit early when possible. The jail may use video visitation for some inmates. Ask about options when you call to schedule in Morgan County.

Cities in Morgan County

Morgan County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Morgan County jail for inmate housing. City police make arrests and bring people to the county facility. Decatur is the county seat and largest city. Hartselle is the second largest community in Morgan County.

Other communities include Priceville, Falkville, and Somerville. None of these have their own jails. All arrests go to the county facility in Decatur. The sheriff's office is the central point for inmate records across all cities and towns in Morgan County.

Note: Decatur is the only city in Morgan County with a population over 50,000.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Morgan County. If you cannot find someone in the Morgan 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 Morgan 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 every day. VINE covers all Alabama counties including Morgan County.