Washington County Inmate Records Search

Washington County inmate records are kept by the sheriff's office in Chatom. The county jail stores all booking information and maintains a public roster. You can search the jail roster online for free. The sheriff's website has a "Who's in Jail" page that shows current inmates. Washington County covers the largest land area of any Alabama county but has a small population of about 16,000 people.

Washington County Sheriff's Office

The Washington County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across the largest county by land area in Alabama. The county covers over 1,080 square miles. That is a lot of ground for a small force to cover. The sheriff leads a team of deputies, jailers, and support staff. They handle patrol, investigations, court services, and jail operations in Washington County.

The main office sits in downtown Chatom, the county seat. The detention center is part of the same facility. Deputies patrol vast stretches of rural land, forests, and small communities. Response times can be long due to the distances involved. Towns like Millry, McIntosh, and Fruitdale rely on the sheriff's office for primary law enforcement in Washington County.

You can reach the sheriff's office by phone during business hours. For jail questions, ask for the detention staff. They can tell you if someone is in custody. They can explain visitation rules and bond procedures. Walk-in visits work during office hours for general questions in Washington County.

How to Search Washington County Inmates Online

Washington County offers a free online jail roster. The sheriff's website has a "Who's in Jail" page. You can look up current inmates at any time from any device. The roster shows people held at the Washington County jail. Results include mugshots, charges, and booking dates.

Go to the sheriff's website at washcoso.com/whos-in-jail to access the roster. You can browse the list or search for a specific name. The page displays current inmates with their photos. Click on an inmate to see more details about their charges and bond in Washington County.

When you search Washington County inmates, you may want this info:

• First or last name of the person
• Date of birth helps confirm identity
• Approximate arrest date

The roster updates as new inmates arrive and others are released. Check back if you do not find someone right away. The small population means fewer inmates at any given time. Some days the jail may hold only a handful of people in Washington County. The online roster is the fastest way to check who is currently in custody.

For state prisoners from Washington County, use the ADOC Inmate Search. The county roster only shows people in the local jail. Anyone sentenced to more than one year transfers to state prison. ADOC assigns each inmate a six-digit AIS number. Use this Alabama Institutional Serial number for accurate state searches from Washington County.

Washington County Inmate Record Fees

The online jail roster is free to search in Washington County. You pay nothing to look up who is in jail. Fees apply when you need official copies of records or certified documents. The sheriff's office can provide copies of booking records for a small fee.

Bond filing requires payment to the Circuit Clerk. The standard filing fee is $35 in Washington County. You pay by money order or cash. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond amount. If the bond is $5,000, you pay the bondsman around $500. Cash bonds require the full amount upfront in Washington 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 may cost extra. This works when you need more than the jail roster shows in Washington County.

ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state inmate records. 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 the office to confirm current fees before making a request in Washington County.

How to Request Records in Washington County

You can request inmate records in person, by phone, or by mail in Washington County. The method 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 take longer if records are old. Be ready to pay fees at the time of your visit in Washington 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 fees. Mail it to the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 45 Court Street, Chatom, AL 36518. 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 must respond within 15 business days. If they deny your request, they must give a reason in writing in Washington County.

Washington County: Alabama's Largest by Land Area

Washington County covers more land than any other county in Alabama. The county spans 1,080 square miles. That is larger than the state of Rhode Island. Despite this vast area, only about 16,000 people live here. The population density is among the lowest in the state in Washington County.

The size creates unique challenges for law enforcement. Deputies must travel long distances to respond to calls. Some areas are remote and hard to reach. Cell phone coverage is spotty in parts of the county. Radio communication can be difficult in the hilly terrain. The sheriff's office works hard to serve all residents in Washington County.

Much of the county is covered in forest. The Tombigbee River forms the eastern boundary. Timber and paper production drive much of the local economy. Small towns are scattered across the landscape. Chatom, the county seat, has fewer than 1,500 people. Most of the county is unincorporated rural land in Washington County.

The small population means the jail is not as busy as urban county jails. Serious crimes are less common than in big cities. But deputies still handle drug crimes, domestic disputes, and property offenses. The jail may hold only a few dozen inmates at any time. This makes the online roster easy to browse in Washington County.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law gives residents the right to access public records including inmate data in Washington County. Several statutes govern how these records work. Knowing the rules helps when you make a request.

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 Washington 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 Washington County.

Only Alabama residents can make formal records requests. You must show proof of residency like a driver's license or voter card. But the online jail roster is open to anyone with internet access. This lets non-residents search current inmates without a formal request in Washington County.

Court clerks must enter sentencing orders into the State Judicial Information System within five days under Section 14-3-30. Records can only be destroyed with consent of the State Records Commission under Section 41-13-5. Washington County follows these rules.

Visiting Inmates at Washington County Jail

The Washington County jail allows visits for inmates in custody. You must follow the rules set by the sheriff's office. Call ahead to confirm visiting hours and requirements. Schedules can change based on jail operations. Lockdowns and emergencies may cancel visits in Washington County.

Visitors need a valid photo ID. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. The inmate submits names for approval. This process takes a few days. Dress appropriately. The jail has rules about clothing. Staff can turn away visitors who do not follow the rules in Washington County.

Some inmates may not be eligible for visits. Those in disciplinary housing or with certain charges may be blocked. Check with the jail before making the trip to Chatom. They can tell you if a specific inmate can have visitors in Washington County.

Cities in Washington County

Washington County has a few small towns. All of them use the Washington County jail for inmates. The sheriff's office provides law enforcement for most of the county. Chatom is the county seat. It serves as the center of county government in Washington County.

Other communities include Millry, McIntosh, and Fruitdale. These are small towns with populations under 1,000. Most of the county is rural and unincorporated. The sheriff's office handles calls across this vast area. All arrests go to the county jail in Chatom in Washington County.

None of the cities in Washington County have populations over 50,000. There are no separate city pages for these locations. Use the online roster or phone number to search for inmates from any community in Washington County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washington 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.

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 Washington 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 checking the roster daily. VINE covers all Alabama counties including Washington County.