Homewood Jail

The Homewood Jail is one of the oldest jails in Alabama, having been established in 1926 when Charles Rice pushed to merge five smaller towns into one city. The jail is located at 1833 29th Avenue South in Homewood, AL and has a capacity for 88 inmates. It typically holds about 20 inmates at any given time. The main phone number for the facility is 205-332-6210 and can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 1959, Birmingham attempted to annex Homewood but their efforts were defeated by local voters. However, there was another attempt in 1964 which resulted in voting irregularities and lawsuits that ultimately thwarted the move. During the 1940's, Homewood's police and fire departments expanded to match the city's 75% increase in population between 1940 and 1950. The majority of prisoners in this facility are arrested for misdemeanors or other nonviolent crimes such as theft or traffic violations. Inmates have an opportunity to post bail if they wish to gain their release from the jail. The website for the facility is homewoodpd.org which provides information about services, programs, events and more related to the Jail and its operations.

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Homewood Jail?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Homewood Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 205-332-6210.

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.

Homewood Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Jefferson County?

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.

What is the booking process like at the Homewood Jail?

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.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

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.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

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.

What happens after booking?

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 Homewood 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.

How long does the Homewood Jail Booking process take?

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.