The Birmingham City Jail is a 350 bed jail in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama.
This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 205-254-6369, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
Phone: 205-254-6369
Physical Address:
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Birmingham City Jail
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35203
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Birmingham City Jail
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35203
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Birmingham City Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 205-254-6369 for the information you are looking for.
Birmingham City Jail Inmate Search
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about finding an inmate in the Birmingham City Jail, how the jail rosters work and what happens after an offender is arrested and booked. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
The Birmingham City Jail maintains an average of 350 offenders in custody on any given day. The Birmingham City Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Jefferson County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 40,300 offenders.
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To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Birmingham City Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 205-254-6369.
There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.
Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.
If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.
Birmingham City Jail Booking Roster
After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Jefferson County for booking.
Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.
Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Jefferson County and other Alabama and USA jurisdictions.
If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.
It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.
The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.
During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.
Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.
At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.
If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Birmingham City Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.
Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.
Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.
If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.
How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Birmingham City Jail? What is the Schedule?
Officials – upon presentation of valid identification, Attorneys, Parole and Probation Officers, and Social Workers for public or community services will be permitted to visit with a detainee at any reasonable time during day or evening hours.
Visits by clergy – upon presentation of appropriate identification (e.g., valid clergy card or ministerial credential card and driver license), members of the clergy may visit between the hours of 9:00AM until 11:00AM and 5:00PM until 7:00PM, 7 days a week.
Visits with Friends and Family - Video Screen Visits per the schedule below.
Visitation for pre-trial detainees – includes those individuals who have not yet been to trial, either due to a continuance or before scheduled court dates.
The schedule is as follows:
Monday
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM or
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM or
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM or
3:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Detainees Serving Time
The visitation schedule for those detainees serving time is as follows:
Inmate's Last Name begins with A-D
Monday
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Inmate's Last Name begins with E-H
Tuesday
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Inmate's Last Name begins with I-P
Wednesday
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Inmate's Last Name begins with I-P
Thursday
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Females only
Sunday
12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
*The minimum age to enter the jail is 13 years old and the visit must be pre-approved by the Commander or other staff.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Birmingham City Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Birmingham City Jail?
Officials – upon presentation of valid identification, Attorneys, Parole and Probation Officers, and Social Workers for public or community services will be permitted to visit with a detainee at any reasonable time during day or evening hours.
Visits by clergy – upon presentation of appropriate identification (e.g., valid clergy card or ministerial credential card and driver license), members of the clergy may visit between the hours of 9:00AM until 11:00AM and 5:00PM until 7:00PM, 7 days a week.
Visits with Friends and Family - Video Screen Visits per the schedule below.
Visitation for pre-trial detainees – includes those individuals who have not yet been to trial, either due to a continuance or before scheduled court dates.
The schedule is as follows:
Monday
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM or
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM or
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM or
3:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Detainees Serving Time
The visitation schedule for those detainees serving time is as follows:
Inmate's Last Name begins with A-D
Monday
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Inmate's Last Name begins with E-H
Tuesday
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Inmate's Last Name begins with I-P
Wednesday
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Inmate's Last Name begins with I-P
Thursday
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Females only
Sunday
12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
*The minimum age to enter the jail is 13 years old and the visit must be pre-approved by the Commander or other staff.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Birmingham City Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Birmingham City Jail?
Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person.
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use a self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union.
Make the Money Order out to the inmate's name and put their Subject Number in memo section of the Money Order.
Mail to:
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Birmingham City Jail
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35203
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Birmingham City Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Birmingham City Jail?
Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)
For full instructions on the Birmingham City Jail Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our Inmate Phones Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Birmingham City Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Birmingham City Jail, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The Birmingham City Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Birmingham City Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.
Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Birmingham City Jail
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35203
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Birmingham City Jail
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35203
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
The Birmingham City Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Birmingham City Jail standards will be disposed of.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Birmingham City Jail
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35203
For inmates receiving mail in the Birmingham City Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Birmingham City Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Subject Number
Birmingham City Jail
425 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35203
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Birmingham City Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Birmingham City Jail, and what can I purchase?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Birmingham City Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Birmingham City Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Birmingham City Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the Birmingham City Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Birmingham City Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-254-6369 for further assistance.
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What are the other City and County Jails in Jefferson County?
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Jefferson County?
This facility, known as "Birmingham City Jail" is also known as Birmingham City Jail , Birmingham City Police Department, Birmingham Arrests, Birmingham Sheriff, Birmingham Inmate Search, Birmingham Jail.
