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Birmingham Jail

City Jail

Last Updated: July 21, 2025
Address
425 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35217
County
Jefferson
Phone
205-254-6369

Birmingham Jail is for City Jail offenders sentenced up to twenty four months.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for City Jail - Medium facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Looking for an inmate at this facility? Visitation Information, Times and Rules
Satellite View of Birmingham Jail
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Official Resources

Nearby Facilities

If your loved one is at Birmingham Jail, InmateAid can help you stay connected. Call the facility directly at 205-254-6369 with any immediate questions.

The Birmingham Jail serves as a low/medium-security city detention center located at 425 6th Ave South in Birmingham, AL. Operated locally by the police and sheriff's departments, it houses inmates and detainees awaiting trial or sentencing. Most sentenced inmates have terms of less than two years. The facility also accepts inmates from surrounding towns and occasionally from the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees are regularly admitted to the jail, with some being released on bail or placed under pretrial services caseloads. Others may be supervised by probation agencies or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who remain in custody await their court appearances at the facility, receiving accommodations such as bedding and meals.

For access to arrest records in Alabama, you can view them here.


The Birmingham City Jail offers educational training such as GED preparation and literacy service, social services (Alcoholic Anonymous, Narcotic Anonymous, AIM (Aids in Minority and Life Skills), Assist Veteran Affairs VJO homeless in offering mental health and substance abuse treatment as an alternative to incarceration, identify and assess individuals who meet the criteria for the Municipal Court Drug Program. Female detainees are offered Healthy Lifestyles therapeutic classes.

The jail provides Domestic Violence intervention classes for inmates incarcerated for long periods of time due to their domestic violence convictions and provide counseling to those affected by mental illness. The unit also offers religious programs to enhance the quality of life during and after incarceration; while providing a clean and healthy work environment for the staff and detainees.

Table of Contents for Birmingham Jail

Inmate Locator

Finding an Inmate at Birmingham Jail

If you're trying to locate someone in custody at Birmingham Jail in Birmingham, Alabama, the fastest path depends on how recently the arrest happened, what type of facility holds the inmate, and how quickly that facility updates its public records. There is no single nationwide inmate database that covers every detention facility in real time, so locating a specific person often means checking multiple sources or calling Birmingham Jail directly at 205-254-6369.

Using the InmateAid Inmate Search

The InmateAid inmate search is the fastest starting point for locating someone at Birmingham Jail. The search pulls from facility rosters, booking systems, and arrest record databases to return current custody status, charges, and housing facility. If the person was arrested or transferred recently and doesn't appear yet, the facility likely hasn't updated its public roster, which can lag by hours or a full business day. Try again later or call 205-254-6369 to confirm.

When the Inmate Doesn't Appear in the Search

Several explanations are possible if a person isn't showing up. The booking may not be complete. The person may have been released, transferred to another facility, or moved to federal or immigration custody. Some facilities deliberately delay public records by 24 to 72 hours for security reasons. Minors are never published in any public locator regardless of facility. To rule out a transfer or release, call 205-254-6369 and ask the booking desk to confirm current status.

What You'll Need to Search Effectively

Have ready: full legal name and any aliases, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. If you know which agency made the arrest, that narrows results significantly. A booking number locates the record immediately. Without at least a full name and approximate date, searches return too many results to be useful.

Once You've Located the Inmate

When you confirm the person is at Birmingham Jail, set up a prepaid phone account so you don't miss the first call, and arrange any money transfer or commissary funding needed. For phone discount plans, money transfer, and mail services available at Birmingham Jail, see InmateAid's inmate services and call 205-254-6369.

To confirm current custody status, recent transfers, or release information at Birmingham Jail, call 205-254-6369.

Visitation Information

What Happens When Someone Is Arrested by Birmingham Jail

The Birmingham Jail in Birmingham, Alabama is a municipal law enforcement agency. Officers patrol the city, respond to calls, investigate crimes, and make arrests within Birmingham's jurisdiction. Birmingham Jail does not operate a long-term jail. Arrestees may be held briefly in a Birmingham Jail holding cell or booking room, typically only for the few hours required to complete initial processing, before being transferred to the Jefferson County jail for arraignment and longer-term housing. If you're trying to locate or contact someone just arrested in Birmingham, the destination within hours of arrest is almost always the county jail, not Birmingham Jail.

Holding at Birmingham Jail

Police department holding is short-term by design. Most arrestees brought to Birmingham Jail are held only long enough for fingerprints, photographs, an inventory of personal property, and entry into the booking system. Holding can last a few hours to roughly 24 hours, depending on the time of arrest, court schedules, and intake capacity at the receiving jail. Late-night and weekend arrests often sit longer because court arraignments are limited to business hours and the transfer van may not run until morning. During this window, visitors are not permitted and phone calls may not yet be available.

Transfer to the County Jail

After initial processing at Birmingham Jail, arrestees are transferred to the Jefferson County jail. The county jail handles longer-term pretrial detention, arraignment scheduling, bond intake, and any sentenced time served locally. Once the transfer is complete, the arrestee shows up in the county jail's inmate roster, becomes available for phone calls under the jail's contracted provider, and follows the county jail's visitation rules. To find the arrestee after transfer, use the InmateAid inmate search and look for the Jefferson County jail record. The county jail's facility page on InmateAid covers visitation, phone discount setup, and money transfer options once your person is in their system.

First Phone Call After Arrest

Arrestees at Birmingham Jail may or may not receive a phone call during the brief holding period. Most jurisdictions allow at least one call after booking, but the timing depends on staffing, processing volume, and whether the call happens at Birmingham Jail or after transfer to the county jail. The call is typically routed through the facility's contracted phone provider as a collect call or via a prepaid account. To make sure you don't miss the first call when it comes through, set up a prepaid account in advance through InmateAid's discount calling service.

Bail, Bond, and Release

Birmingham Jail does not set bail. Bail is set by a judge at arraignment, which usually happens at the county courthouse after transfer to the Jefferson County jail. Minor misdemeanor arrests may qualify for cite-and-release at the scene or station-house release after booking at Birmingham Jail, in which case the arrestee is released without ever going to county jail. Felony arrests and serious misdemeanors almost always go to the county jail to wait for arraignment, which can take hours, overnight, or until the next business day depending on when the arrest occurred. For specific bond information, contact the receiving county jail.

Visiting Someone Arrested by Birmingham Jail

There is no visitation at Birmingham Jail because the holding period is too short and the facility is not built for visitors. Once the arrestee is transferred to the Jefferson County jail, that facility's visitation rules apply, including approved visitor lists, scheduled visiting hours, ID requirements, and dress codes. To find the receiving facility and its visitation rules, search for the Jefferson County jail through the InmateAid inmate search and review the visitation section on that facility's page.

To confirm whether someone is still at Birmingham Jail or has been transferred to the county jail, call 205-254-6369.

Frequently Asked Questions About Birmingham Jail

  1. What is Birmingham Jail, and who is held here?
    is a City/Municipal Jail that primarily houses individuals arrested by local law enforcement. It holds pretrial detainees, individuals serving short sentences (less than 12 months), and those awaiting transfer to county or state facilities.

  2. How can I find out if someone is in custody at Birmingham Jail?
    To check if someone is detained at , use the inmate locator on the website or call 205-254-6369. You may need the person’s full name and date of birth to obtain information.

  3. How long can someone be held at Birmingham Jail?
    Most individuals are held for less than 72 hours before being released, transferred to a county jail, or appearing before a judge. However, those serving short sentences may stay longer, depending on municipal policies.

  4. What happens during the booking process at Birmingham Jail?
    Booking includes fingerprinting, photographing, medical screening, warrant checks, and recording of charges. The individual is then assigned to a holding cell or general population while awaiting further processing.

  5. Can I post bail for someone being held at Birmingham Jail?
    Yes, bail can be posted at if the detainee is eligible. Bail payments may be made using cash, credit, or through a bail bondsman. Contact 205-254-6369 for specific bail procedures.

  6. What are the visitation rules at Birmingham Jail?
    Visitation is subject to facility-specific guidelines. Visitors must be pre-approved, provide valid identification, and comply with dress codes. Some city jails allow video visitation through the prison phone provider.

  7. How can I send money to an inmate at Birmingham Jail?
    Funds can be deposited into an inmate’s commissary account via an outside third-party money transfer company like JailATM, InmateCanteen, Western Union money orders, or lobby kiosks. Check their website for deposit instructions and allowable limits.

  8. Can inmates at Birmingham Jail make phone calls?
    Yes, detainees are allowed outgoing calls using their contracted phone carrier. Calls may be collect or prepaid, with time limits enforced. All calls are monitored and recorded.

  9. Can I send mail to an inmate at Birmingham Jail?
    Yes, inmates may receive letters, photographs, and approved reading materials. All mail is screened for contraband. Polaroids, explicit content, and certain materials are prohibited. Try this InmateAid app for sending letters, postcards or selfies to an inmate.

  10. Are attorneys allowed to visit inmates at Birmingham Jail?
    Yes, legal visits are allowed. Attorneys can visit in person during designated hours and must present bar credentials and client information. Legal calls may also be arranged.

  11. What medical care is available at Birmingham Jail?
    Basic medical, mental health and prescription medication services are provided. Inmates needing urgent care may be transported to a hospital for treatment.

  12. Are there work programs or educational services at Birmingham Jail?
    Many city jails focus on short-term detention, so educational or work programs may be limited. Some facilities offer substance abuse counseling, GED prep, or reentry support for eligible inmates.

  13. Can an inmate request a transfer from Birmingham Jail?
    No, inmates cannot request transfers. Transfers are determined by court orders, sentence length, and facility capacity. Some detainees are moved to county jails or state prisons based on their legal status.

  14. What happens when an inmate is released from Birmingham Jail?
    Upon release, individuals may be discharged from the facility, transferred to another institution, or placed under probation supervision. Some detainees must appear in court for pending cases.

  15. Can someone be held at Birmingham Jail for unpaid fines or warrants?
    Yes, individuals with outstanding warrants or unpaid fines may be held until their case is resolved or a bond is posted. Warrant checks are conducted during the booking process.

  16. What happens to personal belongings when someone is booked into Birmingham Jail?
    Personal property is collected, inventoried, and stored during booking. Upon release, individuals receive their belongings unless items are held as evidence.

  17. Can I pick up an inmate’s property if they are transferred from Birmingham Jail?
    Yes, with written authorization from the inmate, a designated individual may retrieve personal property. Contact 205-254-6369 to arrange a pickup.

  18. How can I report concerns about an inmate’s safety at Birmingham Jail?
    Concerns can be reported to the Birmingham Jail administration or the municipal police department overseeing the jail. In serious cases, contact legal representatives or advocacy groups for assistance.

  19. What should I do if I believe someone was wrongfully arrested and is being held at Birmingham Jail?
    Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. The attorney can request court hearings, review charges, and determine the best legal course of action.

Ask The Inmate

Connect directly with former inmates and get your questions answered for free. Gain valuable insights from individuals with firsthand experience in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and GEO and CoreCivic-run private prisons. Whether you're seeking advice, clarification, or just curious about life behind bars, this unique opportunity allows you to ask questions or explore answers to previous inquiries from the InmateAid community. Engage in meaningful discussions and get informed perspectives from those who truly understand the system.
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