Search Winston County Inmate Records

Winston County inmate records are stored at the county jail in Double Springs. The sheriff's office manages the detention facility and keeps all booking information. There is no online jail roster for Winston County at this time. You must call the jail to ask about current inmates. Winston County sits in the hill country of northwest Alabama and has a unique history as the "Free State of Winston." About 23,000 people live in the county.

Winston County Sheriff's Office

The Winston County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the entire county. The sheriff leads a team of deputies, jailers, and civilian support staff. The office handles patrol, criminal investigations, court services, and jail operations. Staff work around the clock to serve the rural communities of Winston County. The detention center in Double Springs holds inmates awaiting trial and those serving sentences under one year.

The main office sits in downtown Double Springs near the courthouse. The jail is at the same location. Deputies patrol highways, back roads, and small towns across the hilly terrain. They respond to calls from Double Springs, Haleyville, Addison, and Lynn. All arrests in Winston County go to the county jail. Municipal police also bring their arrestees there for booking.

You can reach the sheriff's office by phone during business hours. For jail questions, ask to speak with detention staff. They can tell you if someone is in custody. They can explain visitation rules and how to post bond in Winston County. Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours.

How to Search Winston County Inmates

Winston County does not have an online jail roster. You cannot look up inmates on a website. This is common for smaller Alabama counties. They lack the budget and staff to run an online portal. To find out if someone is in the Winston County jail, you must call the sheriff's office directly.

Call (205) 489-2115 and ask about a specific person. Give the staff the name you are looking for. They can tell you if that person is currently in custody. They can also share the charges and bond amount if you ask. Have as much information as possible ready when you call Winston County. A date of birth helps them find the right record.

When you call to search Winston County inmates, have this info ready:

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

The jail staff answer calls during business hours. After hours, someone is at the jail but may be busy with inmates. Be patient if you call at night or on weekends. Phone calls are the main way to check on current inmates in Winston County. The website has general department info but no searchable roster.

For state prisoners from Winston County, use the ADOC Inmate Search. This free tool shows current state inmates. Anyone sentenced to more than one year goes to state prison. ADOC assigns each inmate a six-digit AIS number. Use this number for accurate search results from Winston County cases.

Winston County Inmate Record Fees

Since Winston County has no online roster, there is no fee for online searches. Phone calls to the jail are free. You just pay your regular phone bill. Fees apply when you need official copies of records or certified documents from Winston County.

Bond filing requires payment to the Circuit Clerk. The standard filing fee is $35 in Winston County. Pay by money order or cash. Licensed bondsmen charge about 10% of the total bond amount. If the bond is $10,000, you pay the bondsman around $1,000. Cash bonds require the full amount upfront in Winston 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. This works well when you need more than just current jail info from Winston County.

ADOC charges $25 minimum for historical state inmate records. This applies to anyone who served time in state prison. 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 in Winston County.

How to Request Records in Winston County

You can request inmate records in person, by phone, or by mail in Winston 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 the records are archived. Be ready to pay fees at the time of your visit in Winston 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 Winston County Sheriff's Office at 12 County Service Drive, Double Springs, AL 35553. 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 Winston County.

The Free State of Winston

Winston County has a unique place in Alabama history. When Alabama voted to secede from the Union in 1861, Winston County wanted no part of it. Local residents held their own convention and talked about seceding from Alabama. This earned the county the nickname "Free State of Winston" in Winston County.

The story goes that the hill country farmers had no stake in the plantation economy. They owned no slaves. They saw no reason to fight for the Confederacy. Some men from Winston County actually joined the Union Army instead. This made the area a target for Confederate forces during the war in Winston County.

The independent spirit still defines the county today. Residents take pride in doing things their own way. The nickname appears on signs and local businesses. A locker plant in Double Springs carries the Free State name. The history makes Winston County stand out among Alabama counties.

This mindset affects how the county operates. Limited resources mean the sheriff's office does more with less. Deputies know the community well. The small-town atmosphere shapes law enforcement. People look out for their neighbors. Crime rates tend to be lower than in urban areas in Winston County.

Alabama Inmate Records Laws

Alabama law gives residents the right to access public records including inmate data in Winston 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 Winston 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 Winston 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 Winston County has no online roster, non-residents must call or visit in person to get current inmate info.

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. Winston County follows these rules.

Visiting Inmates at Winston County Jail

The Winston 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 may cancel visits in Winston 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 Winston 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 Double Springs. They can tell you if a specific inmate can have visitors in Winston County.

Cities in Winston County

Winston County has several small towns. All of them use the Winston County jail for inmates. The sheriff's office provides law enforcement for much of the county. Double Springs is the county seat. Haleyville is the largest city by population in Winston County.

Other towns include Addison, Lynn, and Arley. Each has its own small police force or relies on county deputies. All arrests go to the county jail in Double Springs. There are no city jails for long-term holds in Winston County.

None of the cities in Winston County have populations over 50,000. There are no separate city pages for these locations on this site. Use the phone number above to search for inmates from any city in Winston County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Winston 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 Winston 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 is helpful since Winston County has no online roster. VINE lets you monitor without calling the jail repeatedly.