Alabama
Staying in touch with someone incarcerated in Alabama starts with three basics: finding the right facility contact info, learning which phone and visitation vendor that facility uses, and following the mail and money rules exactly. Policies vary from county to county, and they also differ between Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) prisons and federal facilities. Start with the facility's official information, then follow the vendor instructions for accounts, scheduling, and deposits.
Facility Info
Start by matching your loved one to the correct facility, then pull contact details from the facility's official public page or listing. In Alabama, the...
Read guidePhone & Messaging
Phone and messaging access in Alabama depends on the facility and its contracted provider, so start by figuring out which company your loved one's location...
Read guideSending Money
Deposit options in Alabama depend on whether your loved one is in a county jail or an ADOC facility. At Cullman County Detention Center, deposits can be...
Read guideMail & Photos
Mail rules vary a lot from one Alabama facility to another, especially around photos. Madison County Detention Facility states that all incoming personal...
Read guideVisitation
Visitation in Alabama can be on-site, remote, or remote-only, and the scheduling method depends on the vendor the facility uses. Cullman County Detention...
Read guideGetting approved for visits: forms, lists, and background checks
Approval rules depend on the system your loved one is in. For federal facilities (Bureau of Prisons), the BOP states you can only visit if the inmate places...
Read guideVendor apps, kiosks, and ordering commissary or package items
Third-party tools are a big part of staying connected in Alabama, and which tool you use depends on the facility. CorrectPay's service menu shows options...
Read guideFind an Inmate
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Common Questions
Q
How can I get notified if someone is released?
In Madison County, release notifications are handled through VINE, not by detention staff. Madison County states VINE is available 24/7 for custody status changes and that you can register online or by phone, and it also states detention facility staff does not make release notification phone calls.
Q
Are inmate phone calls monitored or recorded?
Yes, at least some Alabama facilities explicitly state inmate phone calls are monitored and recorded. Madison County states all calls are subject to monitoring and recording, so plan your conversations with that in mind.
Q
Is there a free first-time call from an inmate?
Some facilities offer a short complimentary first contact call. Cullman County’s detention center information states the first time an inmate contacts you, you receive a free 60-second complimentary call.
Q
How do I schedule a visit and are there visit limits?
Scheduling is often done through a vendor site or system, and some facilities also provide a lobby kiosk for setting up accounts and scheduling. Cullman County states scheduling must be completed by the visitor using the listed phone or website and that a visitation kiosk in the lobby can be used; Madison County states inmates are allowed up to three visits a day and uses an online scheduling system.