Jefferson County, Alabama Inmate Search
A Jefferson County inmate search allows individuals to look up pertinent information about people booked into the county jail. It may be conducted through the online Inmate Inquiry resource provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Correction Division. The resource enables users to access information on individuals currently in custody at either of the two county correctional facilities that the agency oversees.
At the state level, interested persons may use the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Inmate Search portal to look up information about individuals held in any state correctional facilities. It is worth noting that Jefferson County is home to two (2) ADOC facilities: the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility, the Birmingham Women’s Community-Based Facility, and the Community Work Center. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) also offers an Inmate Locator portal that allows users to check who is in federal custody from 1982 to the present. However, there are no BOP facilities in Jefferson County.
Some municipal police departments in Jefferson County also provide online resources that allow users to find information about individuals in their custody. A good example is the Birmingham Police Department’s Inmate Inquiry Portal. Typical information Jefferson County inmate search result provides includes, but is not limited to, an inmate’s mugshot, demographic information, custody status, scheduled release date, booking history, booking details, housing facility, bond information, and charges details.
How to Find an Inmate in Jefferson County Jail
Interested persons may find inmates in any of Jefferson County’s correctional facilities (Birmingham Jail and Bessemer Jail) through the County Sheriff’s Office’s Correction Division. They may use the division’s Inmate Inquiry portal to search for information about county inmates online. Alternatively, individuals may make inquiries about county inmates by directly contacting the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Birmingham Jail, and Bessemer Jail at:
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
2200 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5700
Birmingham County Jail
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone (205) 325-5670
Bessemer County Jail
1822 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 481-4160
How to Use the Jefferson County Jail Roster
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division’s Inmate Inquiry portal serves as the county jail roster. The portal is accessible through the Jefferson County Sheriff’s official website’s homepage under the "Inmate Search" tab. It is free and searchable by inmate’s name, booking number, subject number, or booking date.
What Information is Included in the Jefferson County Inmate Roster
The Alabama Public Records Law, codified in the Code of Alabama § 36-12-40, affords state residents and other interested parties the right to inspect and request copies of public records unless applicable laws state otherwise. Jefferson County inmate records are subject to this law. As a result, these records are typically public. However, there are certain exceptions. For instance, Code of Alabama § 36-12-40 protects juvenile inmate records from public access.
Generally, details that individuals may expect to find in Jefferson County inmate search results include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The inmate’s full name
- Inmate’s mugshot: An official photograph taken by law enforcement showing an inmate from the shoulders up.
- Demographic information: This includes an inmate’s physical description and personally identifiable information, such as their date of birth, age, gender, race, height, weight, address, aliases, and subject number.
- Booking number: A unique numerical identifier assigned to an individual at the time of booking. It consists of the booking year, a hyphen, and an eight-digit number (i.e., 2025-12345678).
- Charge or offense: A description of the charges levied against the inmate or the offense that warranted their arrest and incarceration.
- Custody status: Indicates whether an individual is still in custody or has been released.
- Housing facility: Specifies which county correctional facility an inmate is held in (i.e., Birmingham Jail or Bessemer Jail)
- Bond details: A monetary amount or pledge set by a court as a condition for a defendant’s temporary release, guaranteeing that they will return for future court appearances.
Contact Details for Jefferson County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
Jefferson County jails offer several dedicated phone numbers individuals may call to speak directly with jail staff, depending on the subject of their inquiries. These phone numbers and the respective addresses of county jails are detailed below:
Birmingham Jail
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5670 (Main Switchboard)
Phone: (205) 325-5772 (Administrative Office)
Phone: (205) 325-5716 (Pre-Trial Release)
Bessemer Jail
1822 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 481-4160 (Main switchboard)
Phone: (205) 481-9502 (Administrative Office)
Phone: (205) 481-8529 (Pre-Trial Release)
For other official information, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office may be contacted at:
2200 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5700
Jail Facility Overview in Jefferson County
Jefferson County has two adult correctional facilities: Birmingham Jail and Bessemer Jail. The latter is located in downtown Bessemer, while the former is situated in downtown Birmingham. Both facilities house offenders awaiting trial or transfer to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) or the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). They have a combined average population of 1,000 inmates and on-site medical services. However, only the Birmingham Jail has law libraries and offers adult educational services.
Jefferson County also has a youth detention center (G. Ross Bell Jefferson County Youth Detention Center). It is a 74,000-square-foot facility with a capacity of 80 inmates, and is located adjacent to the Jefferson County Family Court in Smithfield. The facility provides short-term detention care for youths detained pursuant to the Alabama Juvenile Justice Act, codified in the Code of Alabama § 12-15-101.
Agency | Office and Mail Address | Phone Number | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office | 2200 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd Birmingham, AL 35203 | (205) 325-5700 | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Mondays through Fridays | |
Birmingham Jail | 809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N Birmingham, AL 35203-0122 | (205) 325-5670 | 24 hours a day, full week | No dedicated email address. |
Bessemer Jail | 1822 2nd Ave. N. Bessemer, AL 35020 | (205) 481-4160 | ||
G. Ross Bell Youth Detention Center | 140 2nd Ct N Birmingham, AL 35204 | (205) 325-5498 |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Birmingham Jail?
Friends, family, and other interested parties may send money to an inmate in Birmingham Jail in person or online. They will need the inmate’s full name, booking number, or subject number to identify them accurately.
In-person deposits can be made at kiosks in the jail lobby and are typically processed faster than other methods. Accepted forms of payment may include cash, credit, and debit cards. On the other hand, online deposits are more convenient and may be conducted in the comfort of one’s home. Unfortunately, there are no government-run resources that allow individuals to make online deposits. However, they may use third-party websites. Note that in-person and online deposits are usually subject to certain fees. These fees may vary depending on the deposit amount.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
Interested persons may use the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division Inmate Inquiry portal to search for Birmingham Jail and Bessemer Jail inmates. They may also contact each facility directly by calling their main switchboard number at (205) 325-5670 (Birmingham Jail) and (205) 481-4160 (Bessemer Jail inmates).
On the other hand, information about individuals in the Birmingham Police Department Detention Division custody is accessible through the agency’s Inmate Inquiry portal. Meanwhile, information about juveniles held in Jefferson County Youth Detention Center may be obtained by calling the center at (205) 325-5498 or visiting the center to make an in-person inquiry.
Jefferson County Visitation Rules and Schedules
Individuals may visit inmates of Birmingham Jail and Bessemer Jail on specific days depending on the inmate’s name and security risk level in accordance with the schedule below:
Birmingham Jail
Day of week | The first letter of the inmate’s last name | Visitation Time |
|---|---|---|
Monday | A, B, and C | 6:00 pm to 7:50 pm |
Tuesday | D, E, F, and G | |
Wednesday | H, I, J, K, and L | |
Thursday | M, N, O, P, and Q | |
Friday | R, S, and T | |
Saturday | U, V, W, X, Y, and Z |
Bessemer Jail
Day of week | The first letter of the inmate’s last name | Visitation Time |
|---|---|---|
Saturday | A to G | 8:00 am to 11:00 am |
Saturday | H to Q | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm |
Sunday | R to Z | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
Sunday | Protective Custody | 8:00 am to 10:00 am |
Odd Saturday | Max 1 | 8:00 am to 10:00 am |
Even Sunday | Max 2 | 8:00 am to 10:00 am |
Prospective visitors may need to schedule their visit with the appropriate facility. They may reach the Birmingham Jail at (205) 325-5670 and the Bessemer Jail at (205) 481-4160. Although they are separate facilities, Birmingham Jail and Bessemer Jail share the same Visitation Rules and Regulations, which are detailed below:
- Visitors must be 17 years or older and must present a valid state ID or driver’s license.
- Inmates are allowed two (2) visits per week, and they must schedule a 45-minute time slot a day before their visit.
- Only two (2) adults and two (2) children above the age of three (3) are allowed per visit.
- Children under the age of three (3) are permitted to visit inmates only on the first Sunday of every month.
- Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by their adult parent or legal guardian.
- Visitors must be properly dressed. Revealing and provocative clothing is not allowed.
- Visitors who create a disturbance in the facility may be banned from future visits.
- Visitors caught giving contraband to an inmate will be prosecuted.
- Visitors are subject to search before being allowed entry into the facility.
- No electronic devices, cell phones, purses, or packages are allowed in the facility’s visitation area. Pay lockers are available in the jail lobby to store such items.
- Drinks and food are prohibited.
Mailing and Commissary Information
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Correction Division does not provide online instructions for sending mail to Birmingham Jail or Bessemer Jail inmates. Thus, individuals must contact these facilities directly at (205) 325-5670 (Birmingham Jail) or (205) 481-4160 (Bessemer Jail) to inquire about their mailing procedures. Judging from other Alabama county jails’ mailing guidelines, individuals may utilize the following format to send mail to Birmingham Jail and Bessemer Jail inmates:
Inmate Name - Booking Number
Birmingham Jail
809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N
Birmingham, AL 35203-0122
And
Inmate Name - Booking Number
Bessemer Jail
1822 2nd Ave. N.
Bessemer, AL 35020
Additionally, the following mailing rules may apply
- Stamps
- Stationary
- Blank envelope
- Plans to smuggle contrabands
- Code or gang insignia
- Obscene languages or drawings
- Threats of physical harm against any person.
- Information regarding escape plans or plans to commit a crime or violate jail rules.
- Printouts from the internet, colored pages, and provocative materials.
On the other hand, interested persons may deposit funds for an inmate’s commissary use through the kiosks available in the jail’s lobby or online via third-party websites.