Alabama Inmate Search

Alabama inmate records refer to documents on inmates housed in the state detention centers, county or city jails, and other correctional facilities within the state. Inmate records are generated from the arrest and court records of inmates in the state. Generally, the following information is included in inmate records:

• Inmate Alabama Institutional Serial (a six-digit number assigned to each inmate under the ADOC)
• First and last names of the inmate, alongside known aliases
• The date of birth of the inmate
• Sex
• Mugshot
• Fingerprints
• Crime charges
• Prison term of the inmate, including the date of imprisonment and when the inmate is estimated to be released from prison
• The location of the correctional facility where the inmate is serving time
• Bail and bond requirements, if any

According to Section 36–12–40 of the Alabama state statutes, inmate records are open and may be obtained by the general public. The Alabama Department of Corrections, the state’s repository, maintains an online database of inmate records. These records are also available at the sheriff’s offices in counties across the state. The Alabama Department of Corrections is responsible for the administration of Alabama state prisons. At the same time, the sheriff’s office in each county administers the jails in the county.

Interested persons may access copies of an Alabama inmate record by querying the appropriate prison administration in person, by mail, or online, by checking the county sheriff’s website.

Alabama State Prisons

Alabama State prisons are under the direct authority of the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC). This agency handles the affairs of 28 correctional facilities in Alabama, including the Alabama Therapeutic Education Facility, Birmingham Women's Community-Based Facility and Community Work Center, and the Limestone Correctional Facility, the largest men’s prison. This prison was opened in 1984 and has a maximum-level inmate capacity of 2086.

Limestone Correctional Facility
28779 Nick Davis Road
Harvest, Alabama 35749
Phone: (256) 233-4600

The Department of Corrections also manages women's prison facilities, including Julia Tutwiler Prison. This facility is the largest women’s prison, which is a medium/maximum prison with a capacity of 702 inmates. The current facility was opened in December 1942. It can be located at:

Julia Tutwiler Prison
8966 US Highway 231 N
Wetumpka, Alabama 36092
Phone: (334) 567-4369

How To Find An Inmate In Alabama?

Persons seeking to locate inmates currently detained in state prisons and correctional centers may use the Inmate Search provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC). Here, interested persons may search using the inmate’s first name, last name, or AIS (Alabama Institutional Serial) number. These options may be used individually or together, depending on the availability of information. The search result page provides a list of names that match the details provided by the searcher. Individuals may also contact the ADOC at:

301 S. Ripley Street
P.O. Box 301501
Montgomery, Alabama 36104.
Phone number: (334) 353-3883 (Central Office Switchboard)

Also, individuals may contact the local arresting agency or county sheriff in the county where the offender was convicted to inquire about an inmate. There is a search portal maintained by the local jail administrator or county sheriff in most counties, where interested persons may search inmate information. For example, interested persons may find inmate information for persons detained in Marion, Marshall, Jackson, and Shelby counties on the Marion County Jail Roster, Marshall County Jail Roster, Jackson County Jail Roster, and Shelby County Jail Roster, respectively.

How To Find A Federal Inmate In Alabama?

Interested persons may find a federal inmate in any of the four federal facilities in Alabama by searching with the inmate locator on the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website. The search portal provides information on federal inmates incarcerated from 1982 to date, while the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides information on federal inmates detained before 1982. Note that the NARA records area for inmates incarcerated between 1870 and 1981.

Interested persons may use the BOP’s search portal to search by registration number or name. For a name search, fill out the inmate’s first, middle, and last name, as these fields are required. The other fields, namely sex, age, and race of the inmate, may also be filled to help narrow down the search results.

For a search conducted by a registration number, interested persons are required to provide any of the following registration numbers:

• Department of Corrections (DCDC) number
• Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) number
• Bureau of Prisons (BOP) register number
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) number

A search conducted with a number mostly provides a more specific result, as no two inmates are given the same number. Hence, the registration number assigned to each inmate is unique to them.

How Do I Find Inmate Records In Alabama?

The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) maintains and provides access to inmate records in Alabama. Persons seeking inmate records may use the online Inmate Search maintained by the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC). The ADOC Inmate Search portal does not include information on inmates detained under the Youthful Offender Act.

To use this method, provide the inmate’s AIS (Alabama Institutional Serial) number, first name, or last name. Searching with the inmate’s first or last name produces results with similar or exact names. However, the inmate’s AIS number provides more specific records.

Requestors may complete the Public Records Request Form for certified inmate records. The completed form and the processing fee may be mailed to ADOC at:

Attn: Research & Planning Division,
P.O. Box 301501,
Montgomery, Alabama 36130–1501

For in-person requests, submit the completed form and processing fee to:

ADOC Central Office,
Attn: Research & Planning Division,
301 S. Ripley Street
P.O. Box 301501
Montgomery, Alabama 36104.
Phone number: (334) 353-3883 (Central Office Switchboard)

The processing fee is a minimum of $25.00 and is non-refundable. For more inquiries about public record requests, reach out to the ADOC by email at public.records@doc.alabama.gov. Submissions by fax or telephone may not be accepted.

Depending on the method in which the inmate records are stored, the records requested may be available for copying or viewing. When the requested records are available, the ADOC Research and Planning Division typically notifies the requestor, who then schedules an in-person appointment. Here, the requester may make copies of the record after viewing it. However, copy fees may apply. Requestors may schedule appointments between Monday and Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For county inmates, requestors may send requests to the sheriff’s offices in the county where the inmate is detained. The Alabama Sheriffs Association website provides a list of Alabama Sheriffs in the state. Generally, large Alabama counties have online jail rosters where interested persons may search for county jail inmate records.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. Operating independently of any federal, state, or local agency, such websites may simplify the search process as they are not limited by geographic location. In addition, third-party sites typically have search engines that can be used to filter specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties may need to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that the person resides in or was accused in

However, third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability cannot be guaranteed.

How To Put Money in Jail Inmates' Books in Alabama?

The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) permits family and friends to send money to an inmate’s account through Access Secure Deposits. Interested persons may create an account on the website or call (866) 345–1884 for directions. Payments are accepted via debit or credit cards from Visa or MasterCard.

Interested persons may make payment using any of these four methods:

• Online at Access Secure Deposits Online: Create an online account and print out a deposit coupon or request a coupon at any of the facilities. Payments should be made via a debit or credit card. Note that transaction charges may apply.
• By Phone: Call (866) 345–1884 to make a payment. This method is available 24/7 and requires a debit or credit card.
• Walk-in payment with cash: Visit any of the Cash Pay Today locations or call 844–340-CASH(2274) to set up an account and pick a close location to make payments.
• Mail-in payment by money order: Send a money order and a deposit coupon, which is available at the facility or the Access Secure Deposits website. Mail the money order and deposit coupon to:

Secure Deposits—Alabama DOC
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132

The fee deducted from the total deposited amount for online payments is as follows:

$2.95 charge for

• $0.01 - $25.00
• $5.95 charge for $25.01 - $100.00
• $7.95 for $100.01 - $300.00

The fee deducted from the total deposited amount for phone payments is as follows:

$3.50 charge for

• $0.01 - $25.00
• $6.50 charge for $25.01 - $100.00
• $8.50 for $100.01 - $200.00
• $9.00 for $200.01 - $300.00

The fee deducted from the total deposited amount for walk-in payments is as follows:

$5.00 charge for

• $0.01 - $25.00
• $5.00 charge for $25.01 - $100.00
• $5.00 for $100.01 - $200.00
• $5.00 for $200.01 - $300.00

There is no charge for mail-in money order payments.

For deposits to inmates in county jails, payment methods may vary between counties. Regardless, most counties offer methods such as the jail lobby kiosk and through electronic payments. Interested persons may contact the sheriff in charge of the county jail to make inquiries.

Does Alabama Use JPay for Inmates?

Yes. The JPay platform provides prison-related services for some facilities in Alabama. JPay is a financial and technology services company that provides inmates with trust accounts where they can receive transfers, conduct video visitation, and communicate using email. This service also provides tablets for inmates under certain conditions to communicate and access content approved by the prison rules. It is used to process all money orders to inmates in Alabama, either through lobby kiosks at the prisons or online. The JPay app is available on various operating systems, especially iOS and Android.

Inmates in Alabama correctional facilities can also receive money through CashPayToday locations, mail, or the primary vendor, Access Corrections, using a credit or debit card. Note that walk-in or money orders generally attract lower charges compared to sending by phone using your credit or debit card.