Birmingham vs. Bessemer: Which Jefferson County Jail Facility Has What
Trying to figure out whether you need the Birmingham jail or the Bessemer jail? Start with one question: where is your person housed? Jefferson County runs two facilities, with about 1,000 people across both locations.
Jefferson County splits its jail system between two facilities - one in downtown Birmingham, one in Bessemer - housing about 1,000 inmates total. Both locations have on-site medical services, which matters if your loved one has ongoing health needs. The key difference? Birmingham offers a law library and adult educational services. Bessemer doesn't.
- ✓ Available at both Birmingham and Bessemer: on-site medical services
- ✓ Birmingham-specific: law library
- ✓ Birmingham-specific: adult educational services
Medical services are available at both Birmingham and Bessemer. You don't have to worry about which facility can handle basic health concerns - that's covered at either location. If your loved one takes medication or has a health issue, confirm their housing facility first, but know that medical care is standard at both.
Birmingham offers two resources not listed for Bessemer: a law library and adult educational services. The law library matters for anyone trying to understand their case, track deadlines, or work through court paperwork. Adult education can help someone stay productive during a longer pretrial stay - working toward a GED or other goals while they wait.
Tip: If legal research or education matters to your loved one, double-check that they're housed at Birmingham - those services are only listed there.
For bond questions, you don't have to pick the "right" building first. The Sheriff's Pre-Trial Release Office operates out of both Birmingham and Bessemer. They handle releases for people who qualify for pre-trial release and help the public make bonds for inmates who haven't qualified for that program.
- Start with the online inmate inquiry - Look up the person first so you’re not traveling to the wrong place.
- Use the search fields that match what you have - The search page includes fields for Name, Subject Number, Booking Number, In Custody, Booking From Date, Booking To Date, and Housing Facility.
- Confirm the “Housing Facility” result - That field is your quick answer for whether you should be planning around Birmingham or Bessemer.
- ✓ Confirm the person’s current Housing Facility before you plan a trip.
- ✓ If medical care is your main concern, remember both Birmingham and Bessemer have on-site medical services.
- ✓ If legal research or adult education is the priority, Birmingham is the facility that lists law library and adult educational services.
- ✓ For release and bond help, the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Release Office operates out of both facilities and can assist with bonds for people who have not qualified for the pre-trial release program.
Reminder: Always verify the “Housing Facility” field right before you go - housing can change, and that one detail determines where you need to show up.
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