Why Dale County Jail's online roster (daleso.com) may be down — what the errors mean and next steps
Trying to check the Dale County Jail online roster but the page won't load? The error message you're seeing is actually a clue. Here's what those messages mean and what to do when the roster is unreachable.
When you try to open Dale County Jail's roster page at http://www.daleso.com/roster_view.php, you might get an error saying the requested URL could not be retrieved from the server. Translation: your browser can't pull up that roster page right now.
One key line people are seeing on the error screen: "Unable to determine IP address from host name 'www.daleso.com'." That wording matters. It points to a problem reaching the site by name - not a problem with your specific search.
Another line on the error page says the DNS server returned: "Name Error: The domain name does not exist." If you see that exact phrase, it means the domain name isn't resolving right now. The roster page can't be reached the normal way.
Both messages - "Unable to determine IP address from host name 'www.daleso.com'" and "Name Error: The domain name does not exist" - point to the same issue. Your device can't translate the website name (www.daleso.com) into the number address (IP address) it needs to connect. That's a DNS failure. This happens when a domain is misconfigured, a service is temporarily down, or something's wrong with the network path to the website. It doesn't tell you anything about what's happening inside the jail, and it doesn't confirm anything about a specific person's custody status. The takeaway: the roster being unreachable is a website problem, not a roster "result" you can interpret as a yes or no about someone's location.
Keep in mind: “Unable to determine IP address…” and “Name Error: The domain name does not exist” are website/DNS errors. They don’t mean the jail is closed, and they don’t confirm that someone was moved or released.
Some versions of this error page show a "Generated" line at the bottom. That timestamp tells you when the failure was captured. If it shows something like Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:08:01 GMT by penmates-mac-studio.tail755b08.ts.net (squid/7.3), the message is coming from a cache or proxy system - not the roster page loading normally.
- Look for a “Generated” timestamp - if it’s on your error page, note the date/time shown (for example: Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:08:01 GMT).
- Try again later - DNS and hosting issues often clear up after a little time.
- Compare what you’re seeing - if the timestamp changes when you retry, that’s a sign the issue is ongoing but being re-generated; if the roster starts loading, the outage was likely temporary.
Next Steps
- ✓ Try again later (set a reminder to check again in an hour or two)
- ✓ Double-check the web address you typed and remove any extra characters
- ✓ Refresh the page, or try a different browser
- ✓ Try a different device (phone vs. computer)
- ✓ Switch networks (Wi‑Fi vs. cellular), since some DNS problems are network-specific
- ✓ Search for the county sheriff’s official website and look for an inmate/roster page there
- ✓ Check any statewide offender or inmate search tools that apply in your situation
- ✓ Look for official county or government pages that may post jail contact details or booking information
- ✓ If you’re trying to confirm recent events, check reputable local news sources for official updates
- Use an official phone number you find independently - don’t rely on the errored page for contact details.
- Call and ask for booking/roster confirmation - be ready to provide identifying details (full name, date of birth, and any case or booking info you have).
- If phone support isn’t getting you answers, contact related offices - depending on your situation, the county courthouse or a court clerk can sometimes confirm next steps for court dates or case status.
- Consider an in-person visit only if appropriate - if you go in person, bring ID and be prepared for security screening and limited information at the front desk.
The error page explains the technical failure ("The requested URL could not be retrieved from the server") but doesn't help you confirm someone's status. No working phone number. No alternate search tool. No way to check if a specific person is in custody. That's what makes this kind of outage so frustrating - you're told what went wrong, but not what to do next.
Why this matters: A roster outage can’t be used as proof of anything about an individual. If you need confirmation, you’ll have to verify through other official channels.
Call Prep Checklist
- ✓ Full legal name (including any known aliases)
- ✓ Date of birth (or approximate age if you don’t have DOB)
- ✓ Any booking number, case number, or court paperwork you have
- ✓ The date/time you tried to use the online roster
- ✓ A screenshot of the error page (including any “Generated” timestamp)
- ✓ Your callback number and a pen/paper for notes
Find an Inmate at Dale County Jail, AL
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.