How to Find Someone Incarcerated in Alabama: Using the AIS Number
Got someone's AIS number? You can find them in the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) inmate search faster—and with fewer mistakes—than searching by name. Here's how it works, what to watch for, and what to do if nothing comes up.
The AIS (Alabama Institutional Serial) number is a unique six-digit identifier assigned to each person incarcerated by the Alabama Department of Corrections. Because no two people share the same AIS, it's the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Trying to confirm where someone is housed? Don't want to sift through five people with similar names? Start with the AIS number.
The ADOC search treats the AIS number as top priority. Enter an AIS number, and the system returns only the record that matches those exact digits. Here's the catch: if you type anything in the AIS field, the system ignores whatever you put in the first or last name fields. Your search lives or dies on those six digits. Double-check every number before you hit search.
Tip: When you enter an AIS number, the ADOC search ignores the name fields entirely. One wrong digit means no results - so verify all six digits before trying again.
Name searches are your fallback when you don't have the AIS number. They cast a wider net, which means you might see multiple people with similar names. That takes more time to sort through. If you do have the AIS number, use it first - once anything is in that field, the system focuses only on matching those digits and won't use the name fields to help narrow things down.
One more thing: the ADOC inmate search doesn't include people sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act. This can be confusing if you're searching by name and expect someone to show up but they don't. A "no results" screen doesn't always mean the person isn't in custody - it can mean their record isn't part of this public database.
- ✓ Try alternate spellings (and watch for hyphens, spaces, and common misspellings)
- ✓ Use partial names if the search allows it (shorter versions can catch variations)
- ✓ If filters are available, narrow the search to reduce similar-name matches
- ✓ Keep the Youthful Offender Act exclusion in mind - some people won’t appear in the ADOC inmate search results
- Re-check the AIS number and search again - the ADOC system only returns an exact AIS match, and it ignores the first/last name fields when an AIS is entered.
- Switch to a name search if you don’t have the AIS - name searches are less precise, so use the tightest version of the name you have and try a couple of variations.
- Consider whether the Youthful Offender Act could apply - the ADOC inmate search does not include people sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act, so they may not show up even if they’re in custody.
- Contact ADOC for help confirming status - if you’ve verified the information you have and still can’t locate a record, getting assistance directly is the next practical step.
Note: The ADOC inmate search doesn't include inmates sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act. If someone doesn't appear in results, that alone doesn't prove they aren't in custody.
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