Birmingham Jail Roster
Birmingham jail roster records come from two sources: the Birmingham City Jail and the Jefferson County Jail. Birmingham is unique in Alabama because it runs its own city jail in addition to the county facility. The city jail handles short term holds while the county jail is for longer stays. Both facilities keep public records of inmates. This guide shows how to search both Birmingham jail rosters and what facts you can find in them.
Birmingham Quick Facts
Birmingham City Jail
Birmingham runs its own city jail. It is called the Custody Services Division. This is not common in Alabama. Most cities send all arrests to the county jail.
The Birmingham City Jail is at 425 6th Avenue South. The jail is run by the Birmingham Police Department. It holds people arrested for city charges and some state offenses. Many inmates move to the county jail after a few days.
The city jail has an online inmate search. Go to birminghamal-wii.publicsafety.tylerapp.com to search. This system is separate from the county search.
| Facility | Birmingham City Jail (Custody Services Division) |
|---|---|
| Address | 425 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205 |
| Phone | (205) 254-6369 or (205) 254-6370 |
| Visitation | Monday through Thursday, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (by last name) |
Visitation at the city jail follows a schedule. Monday is for last names A through D. Tuesday is E through H. Wednesday is I through P. Thursday is Q through Z. Female inmates visit on Sundays from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. No visits on Fridays or Saturdays.
Jefferson County Jail
Jefferson County runs two jail facilities. The main one is in downtown Birmingham. A second jail is in Bessemer. Both are run by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
The county jail processes about 43,000 inmates each year. It holds around 1,000 inmates between the two locations. Most people arrested in Birmingham end up at the county jail for longer holds.
| Birmingham Jail | 809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203 |
|---|---|
| Birmingham Phone | (205) 325-5670 |
| Bessemer Jail | 1822 2nd Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020 |
| Bessemer Phone | (205) 481-4160 |
| Sheriff's Office | (205) 325-5700 |
Sheriff Mark Pettway leads the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The Corrections Division handles all jail operations. The county jail search is at sheriff.jccal.org.
How to Search Birmingham Jail Records
You need to check both systems to find someone in Birmingham. The city jail and county jail have separate databases.
For the Birmingham City Jail, use the Tyler Technologies system. Search by name or booking number. The system shows current inmates at the city facility.
For Jefferson County Jail, use the sheriff's inmate inquiry. Go to sheriff.jccal.org and search by name. This shows inmates at both the Birmingham and Bessemer county jails.
To find an inmate on Birmingham jail rosters, you need the following:
- Full name of the person
- Approximate date of arrest
- Booking number if known
If you cannot find someone, they may have been released. They could also be at state prison. Check the Alabama Department of Corrections search for state inmates.
Note: Check both the city and county systems to cover all bases.
What Birmingham Jail Records Show
Jail roster records in Birmingham contain basic facts about each inmate. This data is public under Alabama law.
Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 requires a public jail book. Both the city and county follow this rule. The online search is the modern version of the jail book.
Each entry on the Birmingham jail roster includes the following:
- Full name of the inmate
- Booking photo taken at intake
- Date of birth and age
- Charges filed
- Bond amount if set
- Booking date and time
- Housing location in the facility
Some details are not public. Medical facts are private. Juvenile records stay sealed. Mental health info is not shown. These limits come from state and federal law.
Are Birmingham Jail Records Public
Yes. Jail records in Birmingham are public. You have the right to view them under Alabama law.
Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 is the open records act. It says every resident can inspect public records. You do not need to explain why. Both the city and county must allow access.
Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 adds more detail. It requires sheriffs and jailers to keep a jail book. The book must be open for public view during office hours. Both Birmingham facilities follow this law.
Under Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.03, arrests must be reported to the state within 24 hours. This keeps statewide criminal records up to date.
There are limits on what is public. Juvenile records are sealed under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Medical data falls under HIPAA rules. Info that could hurt jail security may be held back.
Birmingham Legal Resources
Several groups in Birmingham help with criminal and jail related matters. Some offer free help to those who qualify.
Legal Services Alabama has its main office in Birmingham. They help low income residents with legal issues. Call (205) 328-3540 or (866) 456-4995 toll free. Their site is legalservicesalabama.org.
The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program helps Jefferson County residents. They take criminal and civil cases for those who cannot afford a lawyer. Call (205) 250-5198 to see if you qualify.
The Jefferson County Law Library has forms and resources. It is in the courthouse at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N. Staff can help you find what you need. Call (205) 325-5628 or visit lawlib.jccal.org.
For a private attorney, the Birmingham Bar Association has a referral line at (205) 251-8006. The first consult is up to $50 for 30 minutes.
Birmingham Inmate Alerts
You can get alerts when an inmate is released or moved. VINE is a free service for this. It works for inmates at both city and county jails.
Go to vinelink.com and pick Alabama. Search for the person and sign up for alerts. You can get calls, texts, or emails. The toll free number is 1-877-846-3425.
VINE is helpful for crime victims. It is also used by family who want to know when someone gets out. The service is free and runs all day, every day.
Fees for Birmingham Jail Records
Online searches are free. You pay nothing to look up inmates on the city or county systems. This is the fastest way to get info.
Paper copies cost money. Both the city and county charge for copies of records. Expect to pay around one dollar per page. Certified copies cost more.
For background checks, ALEA charges $25. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency does full criminal history checks. These take several weeks and need fingerprints.
Most people only need the free online search. Paper copies are for court, legal, or job needs.
Find Birmingham Jail Records
Use our search tool to find inmates in Birmingham. Search by name to get booking data, charges, and mugshots.
Jefferson County Jail Roster
Birmingham is in Jefferson County. Most inmates end up at the county jail. For more on the county facility, fees, and contact details, visit the Jefferson County page.
Nearby Alabama Cities
Looking for jail roster records in other Alabama cities? These major cities also have pages.