Lauderdale County AL Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Lauderdale Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 256-760-5771.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Lauderdale Co Jail is a detention center located at 653 S Seminary St Florence, AL which is operated locally by the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Lauderdale County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Florence Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Alabama here.

The Lauderdale County Detention Facility, also referred to as the Florence City Jail is shared between the local police in Florence and the Lauderdale County Sheriff. When an individual is arrested within the city limits, the Florence Police Department manages the initial booking process, which involves collecting personal details, taking fingerprints, and photographing the individual. The arrest is thoroughly documented, ensuring all legal and procedural requirements are met. The Sheriff normally handles arrests outside of the city limits.

If an individual fails to post bail within the first 24 hours, they must appear before a judge, either in person or by telephone. During this initial hearing, the judge informs them of the charges and sets the bond amount. After intake procedures, which include property inventory, a medical screening, and the booking process, inmates are then assigned to the general population. Housing assignments depend on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to maintain proper management and security within the facility.

Inmates' classifications can change based on their behavior and compliance with jail rules. Those who follow regulations typically receive a lower classification, granting them more privileges, whereas violations result in higher classification and reduced privileges. Some inmates can serve as trustees, undertaking various responsibilities such as cooking, laundry, and managing the commissary, in exchange for minimal compensation or potential sentence reductions.

The detention facility is designed with "pods," which include a central common area with tables and attached seats, surrounded by individual cells on two levels. Inmates have designated times for staying in their cells and for congregating in the pod, where they can engage in activities such as card games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pods is supervised by unarmed correctional officers, ensuring security at all times. This structured environment is often considered less stressful than a traditional prison setting due to the shorter sentences inmates typically serve.

The partnership between the Florence Police Department, the Lauderdale Sheriff, and the city jail/detention facility allows the police to concentrate on law enforcement duties, while the sheriff manages the detention facility handles the secure housing of detainees, ensuring that individuals awaiting trial or serving short sentences are processed efficiently and safely.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.