Inmate Roster

This article explains how to find and use the Autauga County AL Inmate Roster, what each section means, where to confirm custody or recent releases, and how bonds work once a person is booked. It focuses on official resources and step-by-step guidance so families, attorneys, and the public can navigate custody information responsibly and efficiently.

Understand the Role of the Autauga County Inmate Roster

The inmate roster is an official public-facing record that displays people currently held in the county detention system and those released within a short, defined timeframe. It serves transparency and public safety goals: notifying the community about recent bookings, giving families a first place to check when someone has been arrested, and guiding next steps such as bond arrangements, attorney contact, or court follow-up. While concise, the roster is a starting point rather than the full legal file for a case. Treat it as a snapshot updated by the Sheriff’s Office, and use it together with official contacts when you need confirmation or action.

Go to the Right Starting Page

Begin at the official selection page for the Autauga County inmate roster to choose the view you need (current custody or recent releases). The roster is organized for clarity and quick access to custody status and booking details.

Visit the Autauga County inmate roster to choose your view: Roster Choose

Review People in Custody Right Now

If you want to confirm that someone is currently housed in the county facility, use the Current Inmates page. Entries typically appear with the most recent bookings at the top, allowing you to see who entered custody most recently without scrolling through older records first. This ordering is especially helpful after a recent arrest, when families and employers need to confirm status quickly.

Check the Current Inmates list here: Current Inmates

Check the 48-Hour Release View

The 48 Hour Release view displays people who have been released from custody within the last two days. It’s useful when you heard about an earlier arrest but no longer see the person on the current roster; the individual may have posted bond, been transferred, or otherwise been released. This short-window report helps you verify whether a recent name that disappeared from the “Current” list was released in the last 48 hours.

See the 48 Hour Release list here: 48 Hour Release

Read Roster Entries Carefully and Responsibly

The roster presents essential information for public awareness—generally focusing on identification and booking-related details. When you open an entry, rely on the following approach to understand what you’re seeing and what it can (and cannot) tell you about a case.

Distinguish Booking Information from Case Outcomes

A booking indicates that a person has been processed into custody. It does not indicate guilt or a final court decision. The roster will point to the status at a particular moment, but it is not a substitute for court records or a judge’s orders. Treat the roster as a near-real-time administrative record, not a verdict or a comprehensive case file.

Use Booking Dates to Reconstruct a Timeline

Entries are commonly listed in reverse chronological order—most recent bookings first—so the booking date is your first anchor point. If you are trying to match an incident to a custody record, start with the booking date and time, then align it with what you know from outside reports or personal timelines. This helps you confirm you have the correct person when names are similar.

Expect Limited Descriptions and Check Back for Changes

Roster entries are meant to be succinct. A booking can change when charges are updated, bond is set, or a release occurs. Because the roster is an operational tool, entries may be edited, removed after release, or temporarily unavailable during system maintenance. When the roster is unavailable, use the official contact channels provided by the Sheriff’s Office to confirm status and next steps.

What To Do When the Roster Is Offline for Maintenance

At times you may see a notice that the roster is “Offline For Maintenance.” This is a normal part of keeping the system secure and accurate. If a name you expected to see is not available during maintenance, resist the urge to rely on unofficial sources. Instead, return later or reach out to the Sheriff’s Office using the official Contact Us page. Avoid screenshots from third parties or social media; use only official sources to prevent confusion and protect privacy.

Reach the Sheriff’s Office through Contact Us: Contact Us

Know Where People Are Housed: Autauga Metro Jail

When the roster shows someone is in custody, that person is typically held at the county detention facility. The Autauga Metro Jail page provides an overview of the facility and helps orient family members and attorneys who need to understand where custody occurs and how operational processes—transport, court appearances, and releases—connect to the jail.

Learn about the facility at Autauga Metro Jail: Autauga Metro Jail

Custody vs. Court: How the Two Systems Interact

Custody: The jail handles intake (booking), housing, transport, and release.

Court: Judges handle arraignments, bond amounts, pleas, and trial scheduling.

Between the two: The Sheriff’s Office enforces court orders. If bond is set, payment and paperwork must match court requirements before release processes can proceed.

Understanding this division helps you set expectations. The roster tells you who is in custody and when they were booked or released. The court sets legal conditions. The jail executes the release once those conditions are met.

Get Context from Official Sheriff Communications

The Sheriff’s Office uses its website to provide formal updates and messages that explain policies, highlight safety initiatives, and address community concerns. When the roster raises questions about a procedure—such as why a name appears in a certain order or how bond affects release timing—consult official communications for policy context.

Read official updates via Message from the Sheriff: Message from the Sheriff

Bonds After Booking: Property Bonds and Cash Bonds

If the court sets a bond, there are two primary paths described by the Sheriff’s Office: property bonds and cash bonds. Each has distinct steps and separate offices involved. Following the official process closely helps you avoid delays.

Read the full county guidance on Bond Information: Bond Information

Property Bond: Prepare Documents Before You Go

A property bond uses real property as surety. To start, you will need a current property assessment sheet from the Autauga County Revenue Office. Ensure the land value (excluding structures) is at least equal to the bond amount required by the court. Everyone listed as an owner on the property must appear to sign the bond documents. If an owner listed on the deed is deceased, bring a death certificate so the record can be updated for the bond transaction.

Once the property bond is issued, the property owner has a short window—three days—to pay a statutory fee at the Autauga County Circuit Clerk’s Office. Paying the fee promptly avoids complications; the safest choice is to complete the fee payment the same day the bond is issued. The property used for the bond will be held as security until the court case reaches its final disposition.

Tips for a smooth property bond process:

Confirm the assessed land value meets or exceeds the bond amount required. If it doesn’t, plan for an alternative (e.g., cash bond).

Bring identification and original documents. Copies can cause delays if officials need originals.

Ensure all listed owners are present to sign. If an owner cannot attend, confirm ahead of time whether a notarized power of attorney is acceptable under local procedures.

Pay the clerk’s fee within the required three-day window. Keep your receipt with the bond paperwork so you can present it if questions arise later in the case.

Cash Bond: Pay the Full Amount and the Bond Fee

A cash bond must be paid in full in the amount set by the court, plus the required bond fee, at the Autauga County Circuit Clerk’s Office. After payment, the bond information will be transmitted to the jail to begin the release process for the named person. Keep the cash bond receipt; it is required if a refund is due after the case concludes and financial reconciliation occurs.

What to expect with cash bonds:

Payment must match the exact amount ordered by the court, plus the applicable fee collected by the clerk.

Processing time: After payment, allow time for the transaction to be recorded and transmitted to the jail. Release processing begins once the jail receives verification.

Records: Keep every document you receive (receipts, copies of the bond record). These documents are critical for refunds or later court questions.

Timing, Offices, and Workflow

Bonding is a cross-office process. The Sheriff’s Office can issue property bonds during its administrative office hours. Cash bonds are handled at the Circuit Clerk’s Office during its posted hours. Release cannot proceed until all required steps are completed and transmitted to the jail. If you start the process late in the day, factor in office hours, the time needed to verify documents, and the jail’s internal release procedures. When in doubt, check the official Bond Information page to align your visit with open hours and the exact instructions provided by county offices.

Practical Ways to Use the Roster for Real-World Questions

Beyond a simple search for a name, the inmate roster can answer common questions when used together with official county pages.

“I think my relative was just arrested—how do I confirm it?”

Open Current Inmates to see if the person appears among the most recently booked.

If you don’t find a match, remember that processing takes time; check again later or verify the spelling.

If the roster is offline for maintenance or the name still does not appear after a reasonable interval, use Contact Us to reach the Sheriff’s Office for confirmation and next steps.

“The name was on the roster yesterday but is gone today—what happened?”

Check 48 Hour Release to see if the person was released in the last two days.

If the name isn’t there, several other outcomes are possible (transfer to another authority, court-ordered change, or administrative updates). The official roster will be updated to reflect the current custody. Use Contact Us for assistance if you need to verify status for court, employment, or family reasons.

“How do I figure out what to do about bond?”

Look up Bond Information for the county’s official property-bond and cash-bond procedures.

For property bonds, confirm your land value (excluding structures) meets the bond requirement and gather all ownership documents.

For cash bonds, plan to bring the full cash amount and bond fee to the Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Keep all receipts and present them as needed during release processing or later in the case.

Keep Public Safety in Focus

Community safety relies on situational awareness and timely communication with law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office provides official avenues to share tips and receive updates so you can stay informed using verified channels.

To receive official announcements and notifications, use Sign Up For Alerts: Sign Up For Alerts

To submit information that may help an investigation, use Secret Witness: Secret Witness

These tools complement the roster by enabling you to stay current on critical information and to contribute directly to public safety when you have relevant details.

When You Need Clarity, Use Official Channels

If a name is spelled differently across sources, if multiple people share a similar name, or if a booking appears to conflict with what you have been told, rely on official channels. The Sheriff’s Office maintains the roster as a convenience for the public, but it cannot guarantee absolute completeness at every moment. System maintenance, court updates, and operational requirements can create short-term discrepancies. Use the official Contact Us page to ask for confirmation before you act on roster information.

Responsible Use: Data Limits and Legal Reality

Information on a roster is collected and maintained by the county for public transparency and operational needs. It is provided for convenience and may change as cases progress. You should not rely on the roster as your sole basis for legal, employment, or personal decisions. Instead, treat it as an authoritative directory for who is in county custody at a point in time, and coordinate with the Sheriff’s Office, the Circuit Clerk’s Office, and your legal counsel for formal actions. This approach protects you from acting on outdated or misinterpreted information and respects the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.

Prepare Before You Visit Any Office

Whether you’re checking on custody, completing a property bond, or paying a cash bond, preparation saves time:

Bring government-issued identification for everyone who must sign documents.

Carry original paperwork (deeds, assessment sheets, death certificates where applicable).

Verify office hours before you travel so you can complete all steps the same day.

Keep all receipts; they are often required to complete release or to process refunds at the conclusion of a case.

Cross-Reference Jail and Court Steps

Remember the sequence: the court sets conditions; the Sheriff’s Office and jail carry them out. A bond posted at the Circuit Clerk’s Office must be recorded and transmitted to the jail. Release happens after all verifications are complete. If a release does not occur immediately after payment, it often reflects routine verification procedures rather than a problem. Patience paired with official documentation is your best strategy.

Use Official Pages to Avoid Misinformation

Unofficial aggregators, reposted screenshots, and social media commentary can be outdated or inaccurate. The Sheriff’s Office website is your source of truth for custody and facility information. If you need a policy explanation, an official message from the Sheriff provides context. If you need a direct line to assistance, the contact page is where to go. Staying inside official channels prevents errors that can derail a bond or jeopardize a court date.

Departments and Offices (Addresses and Phone Numbers)

Autauga County Sheriff’s Office
162 W. 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 361-2500

Autauga Metro Jail
136 N. Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 361-2600

Autauga County Circuit Clerk’s Office
134 North Court St Room 114, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 358-6801

Autauga County Revenue Office (Revenue Commissioner)
135 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067
Phone: (334) 358-6750

Autauga County Inmate Roster FAQs

Where do I check who is currently in custody in Autauga County?

Use the official Current Inmates view. It is maintained by the Sheriff’s Office and lists people in custody with entries arranged by the most recent bookings first, which helps you scan new intakes without scrolling through older records. Start here to confirm present custody status and review booking details provided by the county: Current Inmates roster.

How can I verify who was released in the last 48 hours?

If a name you saw earlier no longer appears on the main list, consult the county’s dedicated release view covering the previous two days. This short window helps reconcile changes that occur after bond, transfer, or other disposition steps. Check the official report here: 48 Hour Release list.

Why would the roster be unavailable or show a maintenance notice?

The site may occasionally display “Roster Offline For Maintenance.” During that time, roster data is temporarily inaccessible while updates are performed. Avoid relying on screenshots or unofficial reposts; instead, return to the site when service resumes. If you need county confirmation about a specific record while the roster is offline, use the Sheriff’s Office page to reach the agency: Contact Us.

How do bond steps affect when a name appears—or disappears—on the roster?

A person’s roster status can change after bond is processed and verified. For property bonds, the county requires a current Property Assessment sheet from the Autauga County Revenue Office; the land value (excluding structures) must meet or exceed the bond amount, all listed owners must sign, and a fee must be paid to the Circuit Clerk within the required timeframe. For cash bonds, the full bond amount plus the bond fee is handled at the Circuit Clerk’s Office, and release processing begins once the jail receives official verification. Review county procedures in detail here: Bond Information.

How can I get official custody updates without checking the roster repeatedly?

Enroll in the county’s notification system to receive verified updates directly from the Sheriff’s Office. This keeps you informed through official channels and reduces the risk of missing changes that occur between checks. Sign up here: Sign Up for Alerts.