What Happens Between Booking and Trial at Jefferson County Jail

Jefferson County's Corrections Division houses people awaiting trial and those waiting to transfer to the State of Alabama Department of Corrections. That in-between role explains why things can shift quickly after booking. Someone might be held locally for court appearances, or they could already be in the process of moving to state custody.

The scale of Jefferson County's jail system catches many families off guard. The Corrections Division handles about 43,000 bookings and releases each year, with an average daily population around 1,000 people across two facilities. That much movement means the status you see today - housing location, custody status, available information - can change without warning. For families, the takeaway is simple: "no news" doesn't mean "nothing is happening." The person may still be moving through the system, or the information you're checking just hasn't caught up yet. If you're planning a visit, sending a message, or coordinating with an attorney, expect some stop-and-start. Always check the most current custody details you can find.

Between booking and trial, many people in Jefferson County custody are held locally while awaiting court. Others are in the jail's care while awaiting transfer to the State of Alabama Department of Corrections. These are different tracks, but to families they often look the same at first: the person is in custody, and their location and status may shift as the case progresses.

Jefferson County operates two jail facilities - one in downtown Birmingham and one in Bessemer. Don't assume someone will stay at the same location throughout the pre-trial period. Check the listed housing facility before you visit or call. It's the quickest way to avoid going to the wrong place.

Start with the county's online inmate inquiry/search page. It shows the key details families usually need: name, Subject Number, Booking Number, "In Custody" status, Booking From Date, Booking To Date, and Housing Facility. These fields give you a clear snapshot of what's happened since booking - and whether the person is still in the jail system. Useful information to have when you're talking to an attorney or following up with questions.

• ✓ Check the online inmate inquiry and write down the Booking Number and the Booking From/To Date so you have the exact identifiers in front of you.
• ✓ Look for the listed Housing Facility so you know which Jefferson County location the person is attached to right now.
• ✓ If you need to ask a general question, use the Sheriff’s Office public contact email: info@jeffcosheriffal.com.
• ✓ If you need to send something by mail or verify where to direct a request, note the listed Birmingham headquarters address: 2200 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr., Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203.

1. Search the person on the online inmate inquiry - confirm you have the right record by checking the name and identifiers shown.
2. Record the key numbers - copy the Subject Number and Booking Number exactly as displayed.
3. Capture the custody snapshot - note whether they’re marked In Custody, the Booking From/To Date, and the current Housing Facility so you can reference it later without guessing.