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This page lists all 39 county jails in Alabama. You can browse by county below, search for specific facilities, or navigate to related pages.
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About County Jails in Alabama
Understanding county jails in the Alabama
Welcome to the most complete and up-to-date directory of county jails and correctional facilities in Alabama. This page lists every active county-level detention facility operating across Alabama, providing families, attorneys, bail bondsmen, social workers, and the general public with fast, reliable access to accurate information about county-level incarceration. County jails are often the first longer-term facility a person is sent to after initial arrest and police booking, making this directory essential for anyone trying to locate a recently arrested loved one.
What Are County Jails and How Do They Work?
County jails in Alabama are local correctional facilities operated by the county sheriff's office or county department of corrections. They serve as the primary point of longer-term detention for individuals awaiting trial, unable to make bail, or serving shorter sentences for misdemeanor offenses.
The county jail system is decentralized — each county operates its own facility tailored to its population size, court system, and law enforcement needs. This means county jails vary significantly in size, capacity, programming, and conditions.
How County Jails Differ From Other Facilities
- County Jails: Operated by sheriff's office. Hold pretrial detainees, those unable to make bail, misdemeanor sentences under one year.
- City/Municipal Jails: Operated by city police. Shorter holds immediately after arrest before county transfer.
- Police Lockups: Short-term holding (24-72 hours) during initial booking and processing.
- State Prisons: Operated by Alabama's DOC for felony sentences over one year.
- Federal Prisons: Operated by Federal Bureau of Prisons for federal crimes.
Types of County Correctional Facilities
- County Jail: Standard county detention facility serving the general pretrial and sentenced misdemeanor population.
- County Correctional Center: Larger facility with expanded programming, multiple housing units, and specialized services.
- County Detention Center: Often houses higher proportion of pretrial detainees or federal contract inmates.
- County Work Release Center: Minimum-security allowing day employment with evening return.
- County Medical/Mental Health Facility: Specialized units for inmates requiring ongoing medical or mental health care.
- County Honor Farm: Minimum-security where inmates perform outdoor work assignments.
How to Use This Directory
- Browse the full directory of all county jails in Alabama by scrolling below.
- Filter by county using the dropdown to narrow results to a specific county.
- Switch states using the state selector to load county jails in any other US state.
- Click any facility to open its dedicated page with contact details and inmate search.
- Locate an inmate using the search feature on any facility page or our main inmate locator.
Finding an Inmate in a County Jail
County jails maintain their own inmate databases, and most offer online inmate lookup tools through the county sheriff's website. The fastest way to find someone is to identify the county where they were arrested using the directory below, then visit that facility's dedicated page to use the inmate search feature. You can also use our free US inmate locator tool to search across all county jails simultaneously.
Visitation
Policies vary considerably — some jails offer in-person contact visits, others have non-contact or video visitation only. Check visitation rules for the specific facility before planning a visit. Click any facility to view its complete visitation guidelines.
Calling an Inmate
Phone calls are outbound only from pre-approved numbers. Your number must be registered with the facility's phone provider and a prepaid account funded. Read our calling guide for complete setup instructions.
Getting Bail
Once bail is set at arraignment, pay it directly to the county jail or court, or work with a licensed bail bondsman who will post bail for a fee of 10-15% of the total amount.
Programs Available
Larger county jails typically offer GED and literacy programs, substance abuse counseling, religious services, and sometimes vocational training. Program availability varies significantly by facility size and resources.
Sheriff's Role
In most counties, the sheriff's office operates and manages the county jail. The sheriff is accountable for safe, humane, and legally compliant operation, including staffing, programming, medical services, and state/federal compliance.
Release & Reentry
Release can happen through bail, sentence completion, dismissal of charges, or court order. The transition back to daily life requires planning for employment, family reconnection, court-ordered supervision, and financial stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
County Jails by County in Alabama
View facilities organized by county
Filter County Jails by County
Alabama has County Jails spread across dozens of counties, and finding the right one quickly can be challenging without the right tools. Use the county list below to instantly narrow results and view only the County Jails in a specific county within Alabama. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to locate someone who was recently arrested in a specific area, or if you are planning a visit and need to find the closest facility to your location.
All County Jails in Alabama
Complete listing of county jails
Browse the Complete List of County Jails in Alabama
The full directory of county jails and correctional facilities in Alabama is displayed below. Every active county-operated detention facility is included in this listing. Each entry includes the facility name, operating county, location, address, security classification, and contact information. County jails are operated by the county sheriff's office or county department of corrections and serve as the primary detention facility for the county's pretrial population and sentenced misdemeanor offenders.
| Facility Name | County | Action |
|---|---|---|
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Shelby County AL Jail
380 McDow Road
PO Box 1240, Columbiana, AL 35051
|
Shelby | View Details |
|
Shelby County AL Juvenile Detention
381 McDow Road
PO Box 736, Columbiana, AL 35051
|
Shelby | View Details |
|
St. Clair County AL Jail
48 6th St Suite 300, Ashville, AL 35953
|
St. Clair | View Details |
|
St. Clair County AL Jail Pell City-Coed
1510 Cogswell Ave
Suite 206, Pell City, AL 35125
|
St. Clair | View Details |
|
St. Clair County AL Juvenile Detention Facility
162 6th Ave, Ashville, AL 35953
|
St. Clair | View Details |
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Sumter County AL Jail
115 Franklin St
PO Box 773, Livingston, AL 35470
|
Sumter | View Details |
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Talladega County AL Jail
150 East Renfroe Road, Talladega, AL 35160
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Talladega | View Details |
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Tallapoosa County Jail
316 Industrial Park Drive, Dadeville, AL 36853
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Tallapoosa | View Details |
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Tuscaloosa County Jail
1600 26th Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
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Tuscaloosa | View Details |
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Tuscaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center
5941 12th Ave East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
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Tuscaloosa | View Details |
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Walker County AL Jail & Work Release
1902 2nd Ave, Jasper, AL 35501
|
Walker | View Details |
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Washington County AL Jail
45 Court St
PO Box 307, Chatom, AL 36518
|
Washington | View Details |
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Wilcox County Jail - Prince Arnold Detention Center
240 Hwy 265 South, Camden, AL 36726
|
Wilcox | View Details |
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Winston County AL Jail
11 Blake Drive
PO Box 10, Double Springs, AL 35553
|
Winston | View Details |
County Jails in Other States
Browse county jails in other states
Explore County Jails in Other States
Looking for county jails beyond Alabama? We've got you covered. Use the state selectors below to instantly switch to a full directory of county jails in any other US state. Whether you need to look up facilities in a neighboring state or search across the country, our nationwide directory makes it simple to find the information you need in just a few clicks.