Dale County Public Records /Dale County Inmate Search

Dale County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Dale County?

Inmate records in Dale County are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. These records are distinct from court records: while the Dale County Circuit Court maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, the Dale County Sheriff's Office and its detention facility maintain custody records that track an individual's physical presence within the jail system.

The record creation process begins at booking or intake, the moment a person is formally processed into custody. At that point, facility staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record physical descriptors, and capture a booking photograph. Records are continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public records requests under applicable state law.

Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, members of the public are afforded the right to inspect and copy public writings maintained by government agencies, which includes custody records held by county detention facilities. The Dale County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of local inmate records.

Dale County Sheriff's Office 101 Court Square, Suite A, Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 774-2335 Dale County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Dale County?

Inmate records in Dale County are generally considered public records under Alabama law. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, all public writings, books, and documents maintained by state and county agencies are open to inspection by any citizen of Alabama. This statutory framework applies to records held by county jails and detention facilities, making a broad range of custody information accessible to members of the public.

The following categories of information are currently accessible through official channels:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Dale County Jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake processing
Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the current period of custody
Booking photographs (mugshots) — captured at intake as part of the standard booking process
Bond and bail amounts — the financial conditions set for pretrial release
Expected release dates — where applicable and not restricted by court order
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is currently housed

Certain information within inmate records may be withheld if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger facility security, or violate a court-issued protective order. Juvenile records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Alabama law and are generally not available to the general public.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Dale County

Inmate records maintained by the Dale County detention system contain multiple categories of documented information compiled from the point of booking through release.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Race, sex, height, and weight
Identifying marks, tattoos, or scars
Booking photograph

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency
Current housing assignment and facility location
Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Statute or code section cited

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Case number and assigned court
Next scheduled court date
Presiding judge

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Length of sentence imposed
Sentence start date
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Projected release date
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release, if applicable

Dale County Prison System

Dale County operates a locally administered detention system designed to house individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process. The county jail functions as the primary facility for pretrial detainees awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing, as well as individuals serving sentences of typically one year or less for misdemeanor or lower-level felony convictions. This structure is distinct from the Alabama state prison system, which is administered by the Alabama Department of Corrections and houses individuals convicted of more serious offenses serving longer sentences.

The Dale County Sheriff's Office administers the county jail and is responsible for the intake, housing, supervision, and release of all county-level detainees. The Sheriff's Office also coordinates transfers to state correctional facilities when individuals are sentenced to terms exceeding the county jail's jurisdiction.

Dale County Sheriff's Office / Dale County Jail 101 Court Square, Suite A, Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 774-2335 Dale County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Types of Correctional Facilities In Dale County

Dale County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:

Dale County Jail 101 Court Square, Suite A, Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 774-2335 Dale County Sheriff's Office

The Dale County Jail is a county-operated detention facility under the jurisdiction of the Dale County Sheriff's Office. It serves as the primary holding facility for individuals arrested within Dale County, including those awaiting trial, those serving short-term sentences, and individuals held on detainers or warrants from other jurisdictions. The facility processes all local bookings and maintains custody records for all individuals detained within its walls.

Individuals sentenced to state prison terms are transferred to facilities operated by the Alabama Department of Corrections following sentencing. The ADOC manages multiple correctional institutions throughout Alabama for longer-term incarceration.

Who's in Prison In Dale County

The Dale County Jail houses several categories of individuals at any given time. Members of the public seeking to understand who may be incarcerated at the county level should be aware of the following classifications:

Pretrial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they are unable to post bond or have been denied bail
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of one year or less
Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of lower-level felonies whose sentences fall within the county jail's capacity
Federal or state holds — individuals held on behalf of another jurisdiction, including U.S. Marshals detainees or individuals with outstanding warrants from other counties or states
Immigration detainees — individuals held pursuant to agreements with federal immigration authorities, where applicable
Probation and parole violators — individuals detained pending a hearing on an alleged violation of supervision conditions

Individuals serving sentences longer than one year for serious felony convictions are typically housed within the Alabama state prison system rather than the county jail.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Dale County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in Dale County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:

Online Search:

Visit the Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search portal to locate individuals currently incarcerated within the state prison system.
For individuals held at the county level, contact the Dale County Sheriff's Office directly, as a dedicated online inmate roster may be available through the sheriff's website.
Use the Dale County Circuit Court case search tools to locate associated court records and case status information.

In-Person Request:

Visit the Dale County Sheriff's Office at 101 Court Square, Suite A, Ozark, AL 36360 during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Submit a written public records request identifying the individual by full name and date of birth.
Staff will process the request pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, which requires agencies to respond within a reasonable time.

By Telephone:

Call the Dale County Sheriff's Office at (334) 774-2335 during business hours.
Provide the full name and date of birth of the individual being sought.
Staff may confirm current custody status and provide basic booking information verbally.

Fees for copies of records, if applicable, are set in accordance with Alabama's public records statutes and are typically assessed on a per-page basis.

How To Find an Inmate in Dale County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held within Dale County or the broader Alabama correctional system.

Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search — The ADOC online inmate locator provides free access to information on individuals currently incarcerated within the state prison system. The database includes name, facility location, and sentence information. Note that this database reflects only currently incarcerated individuals; historical data is not available online.
Dale County Sheriff's Office — Members of the public may call (334) 774-2335 at no charge to inquire about an individual's current custody status at the county jail.
Dale County Circuit Court Records — The Thirty-Third Circuit Court of Alabama maintains case records that may reflect an individual's custody status in connection with pending or resolved criminal matters.
In-Person Inquiry — Visiting the Dale County Sheriff's Office in person during public counter hours allows members of the public to request basic custody information at no cost.

How To Visit an Inmate In Dale County

Visitation at the Dale County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Dale County Sheriff's Office. All visitors must comply with applicable regulations to maintain facility security and the safety of staff, inmates, and the public.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport).
Visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitation list; inmates are typically permitted to designate a limited number of approved visitors.
Visitors are subject to search upon entry, including metal detector screening.

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules are set by the Dale County Sheriff's Office and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility at (334) 774-2335 to confirm current visiting hours prior to arrival.

What to Bring:

Valid government-issued photo identification

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, controlled substances, or alcohol
Cell phones or electronic devices into the secure visitation area
Outside food or beverages
Cash or valuables beyond what is permitted by facility policy

Dress Code:

Visitors must dress appropriately; clothing that resembles inmate uniforms (typically orange or striped) is prohibited. Revealing or excessively casual attire may result in denial of entry.

Visit Types:

The Dale County Jail may offer in-person contact or non-contact visits, as well as video visitation, depending on current facility capacity and policy.

Visit Restrictions:

Individuals with active warrants, individuals on probation or parole, or individuals with prior criminal convictions may be subject to additional screening or denial of visitation privileges at the discretion of facility administration.
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also an approved visitor.

How To Send Money to a Dale County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account to allow the individual to purchase approved items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and phone time. The Dale County Sheriff's Office establishes the approved methods and limits for depositing funds.

Methods for Sending Money:

In-person deposits — Funds may be deposited at the Dale County Jail via approved kiosk or at the facility's front desk during public counter hours.
Online deposits — Many county jails in Alabama utilize third-party services such as JPay or Access Corrections to facilitate online deposits. Members of the public should confirm the current approved service by contacting the Dale County Sheriff's Office at (334) 774-2335.
Money order — Money orders made payable to the inmate (with the inmate's full name and booking number noted) may be accepted by mail or in person, subject to facility policy.

Amount Limits:

Deposit limits per transaction or per week are set by facility policy. Members of the public should verify current limits directly with the Dale County Sheriff's Office.

Fees:

Third-party deposit services typically assess a transaction fee, which varies by provider and deposit method.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent through the mail is not accepted.
Personal checks are generally not accepted.
Funds from anonymous or unverified sources may be rejected.

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:

Funds in a commissary account may be used to purchase approved commissary items, pay for phone calls, and access electronic messaging services where available.
Commissary funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly through the jail account unless specifically authorized by court order.

How To Send Jail Mail In Dale County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Dale County Jail by sending written mail through the U.S. Postal Service. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security protocols and applicable Alabama law.

Mailing Address Format: All mail should be addressed as follows: Inmate Full Name, Booking Number Dale County Jail 101 Court Square Ozark, AL 36360

Rules for Sending Mail:

All mail must include the sender's full return address; anonymous mail will not be delivered.
Letters must be written on plain white paper and sent in plain white envelopes. Colored paper, stickers, glitter, or other embellishments are typically prohibited.
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions established by the facility; explicit or offensive images are prohibited.
Books and magazines, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from an individual sender.
Mail containing contraband, coded language, or content that poses a threat to facility security will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
Legal mail (correspondence from attorneys) is subject to special handling procedures and may only be opened in the presence of the inmate to protect attorney-client privilege, consistent with protections recognized under federal and Alabama law.