Alabama State Prisons
16 facilities- ADOC-Bibb Correctional Facility
- ADOC-Bullock Correctional Facility
- ADOC-Donaldson Correctional Facility
- ADOC-Draper Correctional Facility
- ADOC-Easterling Correctional Facility
Federal Facilities in Alabama
3 facilitiesAlabama County Jails
66 facilities- Autauga County Metro Jail
- Baldwin County Corrections Center
- Barbour County Jail
- Bibb County AL Jail
- Blount County AL Corrections Facility
Alabama Department of Corrections
Search by AIS (Alabama Inmate System) number or name. Exact spelling required - try last name only if full name returns no results. ADOC inmate records include current facility, sentence information, and release date.
The official inmate search is available at www.doc.state.al.us/InmateSearch. FCI Talladega is Alabama's primary federal facility - medium security in the foothills.
Visitation in Alabama Facilities
All visitors must be pre-approved on the inmate's list. ADOC requires a visitor application and background check - processing takes 4 - 6 weeks. No blue denim, no camouflage, no revealing clothing. Children must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor.
Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Alabama prison directory.
Sending Mail to Alabama Inmates
All ADOC mail must include the inmate's AIS number. Standard 4x6 photos accepted - no Polaroids. Some facilities use JPay for electronic mail and photo delivery. No stickers, glitter, or attachments permitted.
InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Alabama facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.
Phone Calls from Alabama Facilities
Alabama is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. Securus Technologies holds the ADOC state contract. Rates subject to FCC April 2026 caps.
Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Alabama prison directory.
Sending Money to Alabama Inmates
Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Alabama:
- JPay (primary for ADOC state facilities)
- TouchPay (some county jails)
- Money orders mailed directly to facility - allow 10 - 14 days
See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.
Reentry Resources in Alabama
Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Alabama:
- Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles - Parole information and offender search
- Alabama Reentry Alliance Network - Statewide reentry coalition
- Legal Services Alabama - Free civil legal help for low-income Alabamians
- ADOC Reentry Services - Official ADOC reentry programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Prisons
How do I find an inmate in an Alabama state prison?
Use the ADOC Inmate Search at doc.state.al.us and search by AIS number for the most accurate results - name searches work but require exact spelling. If your inmate doesn't appear, they may have been transferred within the last 48 hours, which is when the database typically updates after a move. Call ADOC Central Records at 334-353-3883 with the inmate's full legal name and AIS number if the online search fails. Keep in mind that county jail inmates and federal inmates will not appear in the ADOC search - those are separate systems entirely. If you're not sure which system your person is in, start with ADOC and work outward from there.
What is an AIS number in Alabama?
AIS stands for Alabama Inmate System - the unique identification number the Alabama Department of Corrections assigns to every person who enters the state prison system. It appears on all official ADOC paperwork, court documents, and commitment orders. The AIS number must be written on the outside of every envelope you mail to an ADOC facility - mail without it can be returned or delayed for days. Your inmate knows their number and can give it to you by phone or in a letter. If you've never had it, run a name search at doc.state.al.us and the AIS number will appear in the results - write it down and keep it somewhere accessible because you will use it for every piece of communication with the system.
Does Alabama have free prison phone calls?
No - Alabama has not eliminated phone call fees. Securus Technologies holds the ADOC contract for most state facilities. The FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order took effect April 6, 2026, and capped per-minute rates at state and federal facilities nationwide, which reduced costs significantly from historical Alabama highs. However, capped is not the same as free - your inmate is still paying per minute, just at a federally regulated rate. County jails in Alabama use their own providers and have their own rate structures that vary by county. If calls are still unaffordable after the FCC caps, written letters through InmateAid remain a cost-effective way to stay connected and are something your inmate can hold, read again, and share.
Can I send books to an Alabama inmate?
Yes, but only through a publisher or approved retailer - Amazon is the most commonly used option. Books sent directly from home, from a used bookstore, or from any source other than a publisher or approved vendor will be rejected without exception. Hardcover books are prohibited at most ADOC facilities - paperbacks only, because hardcovers can be used to conceal contraband. Religious texts - Bible, Quran, Torah - are generally permitted but may require advance approval depending on the facility and security level. Always verify the specific facility's current book policy before ordering, since rules can and do change. When ordering through Amazon, ship directly to the facility using the inmate's full legal name and AIS number in the address field.
How long does visitor approval take in Alabama?
The ADOC visitor approval process typically takes 4 - 6 weeks from the time your application is submitted to when you receive written approval. Your inmate initiates the process by requesting your name be added to their visitor list - you cannot submit an application without being added first. Once added, you'll complete paperwork and ADOC will run a background check on all adult applicants. A prior felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but it will be reviewed case-by-case by the warden. Do not attempt to visit before receiving written confirmation of approval - you will be turned away and it may affect your inmate's visiting privileges going forward. Plan well in advance, especially around holidays when processing can take longer.
What money transfer services work for Alabama inmates?
JPay is the primary money transfer service for ADOC state facilities - you can send funds online at jpay.com or through the JPay mobile app using your inmate's AIS number. Money posted through JPay typically reaches the inmate's account within 1 - 3 business days. TouchPay works at some Alabama county jails but is not standard at state facilities. Money orders are also accepted - make them payable to the inmate's full name and AIS number, mail them to the facility, and allow 10 - 14 business days for processing. Never send cash through the mail - it will be confiscated. If you're unsure which method works at a specific facility, call the facility's business office before sending anything.