Search Etowah County Jail Roster
Etowah County jail roster data is kept by the Sheriff's Office in Gadsden. The Detention Center is one of the largest in northeast Alabama. It can hold up to 950 inmates at one time. The facility is accredited and serves the whole county. You can search for inmates online through the Sheriff's website or a separate JAIL View portal. This page shows how to find booking records in Etowah County.
Etowah County Quick Facts
Etowah County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff runs the Detention Center. The main office is on Forrest Avenue in Gadsden. The jail is part of the same complex. Staff handle bookings around the clock. They also manage investigations, warrants, and other law work.
Etowah County is in northeast Alabama. Gadsden is the biggest city in the area. The jail serves Gadsden, Attalla, Rainbow City, and other towns. The facility is large, with 10 housing units and room for 950 inmates. It has earned accreditation from the American Correctional Association.
| Sheriff's Office |
827 Forrest Avenue Gadsden, AL 35901 Phone: (256) 546-2825 (24 Hours) |
|---|---|
| Detention Center |
827 Forrest Avenue Gadsden, AL 35901 Phone: (256) 549-5410 |
| Booking | Phone: (256) 549-5408 | Email: booking@etowahcounty.org |
| Website | etowahcountysheriff.com |
Note: The Detention Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How to Search Etowah County Jail Records
There are two ways to search online. The Sheriff's site has a roster at etowahcountysheriff.com. There is also a JAIL View portal run by Kalleo Technologies. Both show current inmates and recent releases.
The Sheriff's roster lets you search by name. You can view current inmates or those released in the past 48 hours. Results show the name, booking photo, status, booking number, booking date, age, charges, and bond amount.
To search Etowah County jail records, you may need:
- Full name of the person
- Last name is usually enough to start
- Booking number if known
The JAIL View portal is at etowahsmartweb.kalleo.net. This is a web app that shows inmate data. You can search by name or scroll through the list. Some people find this easier to use than the main roster.
If the online tools do not help, call the jail. Staff can look up inmates by name. The non-emergency line is (256) 546-2825. It is open 24 hours.
What Etowah County Jail Records Contain
Jail records follow state law. Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 says the sheriff must keep a public jail book. This book must be open for people to see during work hours.
An Etowah County jail record will usually show:
- Full name of the inmate
- Booking photo
- Status (in custody or released)
- Booking number
- Age at time of booking
- Charges filed
- Bond amount if set
The mugshot is part of the record. Staff take this photo during intake. Alabama treats mugshots as public records. You can see them on the online roster.
Alabama Laws on Jail Records
The Open Records Act is in Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. It gives residents the right to see public records. Jail logs are public records. You do not need to say why you want to see them.
Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 says the sheriff must keep a jail book. It must list the name, age, sex, race, charges, and dates for each inmate. The law says this book must be open for public viewing.
When someone is booked in Etowah County, the data goes to the state within 24 hours. This rule is in Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.03. The info goes to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center.
If charges are dropped, the person can ask to seal the record. Alabama Code Section 15-27 covers expungement. Once sealed, the record is no longer public.
Etowah County Detention Center
The Detention Center is on Forrest Avenue in Gadsden. It is a large facility with 10 housing units. The jail can hold 950 inmates at one time. This makes it one of the bigger jails in the state.
The facility has earned accreditation from the American Correctional Association. This means it meets national standards for jails. The jail has had this status since its review. Medical care comes from Doctors' Care Physicians, a private company that has worked with the jail since 2005.
The jail is a minimum to medium-security site. It holds people waiting for trial, those convicted of minor crimes, and inmates waiting for state prison beds. The average stay varies based on the charges and court dates.
Visiting Inmates in Etowah County
The jail allows visits. All visits are by video. You sit at a screen and talk with the inmate. This is common in many Alabama jails now. It keeps the facility safe and lets more people visit.
Visits happen Sunday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The inmate must schedule the visit first. Each inmate can have one visit per day and up to two visits per week. You must follow all rules during the visit.
To visit someone in the Etowah County jail:
- The inmate must schedule the visit
- Visits are Sunday through Wednesday, 9 AM to 5 PM
- One visit per day, two per week
- All visits are by video
Note: The jail can deny visits for rule violations or safety concerns.
Statewide Search Tools
If you cannot find someone in Etowah County, they may be in state prison. The Alabama Department of Corrections has a search tool at doc.alabama.gov. It shows people serving longer terms.
Alabama VINE lets you track custody status. You can sign up for alerts when an inmate moves or is released. The service is free. Go to vinelink.com or call 877-846-3425.
For court records, use Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com. This is the state court system. You can look up criminal and civil cases in Etowah County. There are fees for detailed searches.
Search Etowah County Records
Use this tool to find jail records and other public records in Etowah County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Etowah County. Check them if you are not sure where someone was arrested.