St. Clair County Jail Roster & Inmate Search

About St. Clair County Jail: The Dual-Seat System

St. Clair County is unique in Alabama for maintaining two distinct county seats. This judicial dualism means that law enforcement operations, court records, and inmate housing are split between the northern hub in Ashville and the southern hub in Pell City.

Ashville Facility

Generally handles northern county matters and traditional administrative functions.

Pell City Facility (Detention Center)

Acts as the primary modern housing unit and often handles high-volume processing and specialized medical needs.

St. Clair County Inmate Search & Online Roster

This page provides updated St. Clair County inmate roster information so users can check whether someone is currently in custody without leaving the site.

How to Conduct an Inmate Lookup

1. Use the inmate name search and review the current booking rows shown in the table.
2. Check the booking number, booking date, and listed charges shown for each current inmate.
3. Charge Labels: Look for abbreviations like FTA (Failure to Appear) or GJI (Grand Jury Indictment) when reading charge summaries.
4. Recent Arrests: If someone does not appear right away, check back after processing is completed because newly booked inmates may take time to move through intake before appearing in the updated roster.

Visitation Rules & Schedule

St. Clair County uses a non-contact visitation model built around scheduled video visits for social contact.

Video Visitation Options

• On-Site Video (Lobby): Conducted at kiosks in the jail lobby. These visits are typically free but must be scheduled in advance and are generally available Sunday through Thursday from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
• Arrival Time: On-site visitors should arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled visit to complete check-in and security procedures.
• Visitor Limit: A maximum of three visitors, including children, is allowed per session.
• Remote Video (Home): Families can visit from a computer or smartphone through the county's approved video visitation system.
• Cost: $12.99 per 20-minute remote session.
• Availability: Remote visits are generally available seven days a week from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, excluding the 5:00 PM dinner hour.

Attorney Access

• Attorney visits are treated differently from standard social visits and may occur in person or through a dedicated remote professional access process.
• Legal visits are privileged rather than recorded, and attorneys using remote access may need to register their Bar credentials with the Sheriff's Office in advance.

Visitation Requirements

• ID: All adult visitors must provide a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Dress Code: No provocative, revealing, or gang-related attire is allowed.
• Monitoring: Standard social visits are recorded, and inappropriate behavior can result in a permanent ban from the visitation system.

How to Send Money & Inmate Communication

The St. Clair County Jail operates a cashless system for inmate funds and communications. Physical currency is considered contraband and is never allowed within the housing units.

Inmate Trust Fund (Commissary)

• This account is used for food, hygiene products, stationery, and similar commissary purchases.
• Deposit Options: Funds can be added online through the county's approved deposit platform or at the kiosk located in the jail lobby.

Communication Accounts

• Phone calls and digital messaging are managed through the county's approved communications vendor.
• Direct Pay: Fund a specific phone number so the inmate can call you directly.
• Electronic Messaging: Inmates can send electronic messages through shared tablets in the housing units.
• Emergency Contact: Families cannot call inmates directly. In a verified emergency, contact the Jail Information Desk at 205-814-3525.

Bail Bonds & Release Procedures

Securing a release requires navigating the requirements of the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk. A $35.00 Bond Transmittal Fee, cash only, is required for every bond issued.

The Ashville and Pell City Circuit Clerk offices are generally open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and they are the official point of contact for case numbers and bond status verification.

Types of Bonds

• Cash Bond: The full bail amount is paid to the court and is generally refundable minus fees after the case ends.
• Surety Bond: A licensed bondsman posts the bond after receiving a non-refundable fee that is often 10 to 15 percent of the total amount.
• Property Bond: Real estate is used as collateral, but all people listed on the deed or tax record must be present with valid identification to sign.
• Signature Bond (OR): In limited cases, a judge may release a defendant on their own recognizance without posted security.
• Property Bond Rules: A defendant cannot use their own property to bond themselves out, misdemeanor charges typically require one property owner to sign, felony charges typically require two, and the property should be located in St. Clair County unless additional sheriff approval is obtained.

Comprehensive FAQ: People Also Ask

The most common follow-up questions involve books, medication, inmate property, release status, phone costs, and scam reporting. The FAQ below addresses each of those topics directly.