Shelby County Jail Roster Search
Shelby County has one of the best online jail rosters in Alabama. You can view current inmates, recent arrivals, and people released in the last 30 days. The jail is in Columbiana, the county seat. It holds over 500 inmates at a time. The Sheriff's Office runs a free search portal that anyone can use. Shelby County is south of Birmingham and has about 223,000 residents. Part of Hoover extends into this county. The online roster shows names, photos, charges, and bond amounts. This guide covers how to find jail records in Shelby County.
Shelby County Quick Facts
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail at 380 McDow Road in Columbiana. Captain Denver McCool serves as the jail administrator. The facility is nationally accredited. It holds municipal, county, state, and federal inmates.
The jail houses people before trial and after sentencing. Records on all inmates are public per Alabama law. The Sheriff posts monthly reports on intake and releases. You can find these on their website.
| Jail Address |
380 McDow Road Columbiana, AL 35051 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1240, Columbiana, AL 35051 |
| Phone | 205-670-6066 |
| Fax | 205-669-3868 |
| Jail Administrator | Captain Denver McCool (dmccool@shelbyso.com) |
| Website | shelbyso.com |
Search the Online Inmate Listing
Shelby County has a dedicated inmate listing website. This is the easiest way to find jail records. The site is free and works on phones and computers.
Visit inmatelisting.shelbyal.com to search. You can browse by letter A through Z. You can also type in a last name to search directly. The site shows three types of lists: Current Inmates, Recent Arrivals, and Released in Last Thirty Days.
The Shelby County jail roster contains the following information:
- Inmate number assigned by the jail
- Full name of the person
- Booking date
- Criminal charges
- Bond type and amount
- Total bond calculated for all charges
Click on any name to see the booking photo. Mugshots show for most inmates. The site updates throughout the day as new bookings come in. If someone was released, check the 30 day release list.
Are Shelby County Jail Records Public?
Yes. Alabama law makes jail records public. Under Alabama Code Section 36-22-8, the sheriff must keep a record book on all prisoners. This book shows names, charges, dates, and other details. Anyone can view it during office hours.
Shelby County even publishes monthly reports. These show intake and release numbers for the jail. You can find them on the Sheriff's website. This goes beyond what the law requires.
The Alabama Open Records Act in Section 36-12-40 also applies. State residents can inspect public records. Jail rosters are public records. Viewing is free. Copies may have a small fee attached.
Some data stays private. Medical info is protected. Juvenile records are confidential under Alabama Code Section 12-15-133. Records that get expunged are removed from public view. Expungement rules are in Section 15-27.
Shelby County Most Wanted
The Sheriff's Office keeps a Most Wanted list. These are people with active warrants. They are not in jail yet. The Sheriff asks the public to help find them.
View the list at mostwanted.shelbyal.com. Each listing shows a photo, name, and charges. If you know where someone is, call the Sheriff's Office. You can also submit tips online.
Jail Visitation Rules
The Shelby County Jail allows visits. Each inmate can have one scheduled visit per week. You must book the visit at least 24 hours ahead of time.
To schedule a visit, use the online visitation system. You can also use the VendEngine kiosk at the Sheriff's Office. The jail website has links to both options. Check shelbyso.com/169/Inmate-Information for details.
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Follow all jail rules. Staff can deny visits if rules are broken. The inmate handbook on the website explains what to expect.
Get Records In Person
You can visit the Sheriff's Office in Columbiana. Bring ID with you. Staff can look up inmates and print records. This is useful if you need certified copies or older records.
The jail has mail, visitation, and commissary services. Details are on the Sheriff's website. For general questions, call 205-670-6066. For jail questions, ask for Captain McCool or the jail staff.
State Prison and VINE
The county roster shows local inmates. If someone goes to state prison, they leave the county system. Use the ADOC inmate search at doc.alabama.gov/inmatesearch for state prisoners.
Alabama VINE provides victim notifications. Sign up at vinelink.com. The system alerts you when an inmate gets released, moves, or escapes. Calls, texts, and emails are free.
Find Shelby County Inmates
Use this tool to search for inmates and public records in Shelby County, Alabama.
Cities in Shelby County
Shelby County has many cities and towns. Residents in these areas go to the Shelby County Jail if arrested on county charges.
Other cities in Shelby County include Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Chelsea, Montevallo, Calera, and Columbiana. Part of Birmingham also extends into Shelby County. All these areas fall under the Shelby County Sheriff for county matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Shelby County. Each has its own jail and inmate roster.