Jail

This in-depth guide explains how the Autauga County AL Jail—also known as the Autauga Metro Jail—operates and how families, friends, attorneys, and community members can interact with the facility. You’ll find practical details about inmate lookups, visitation protocols, mail and commissary rules, attorney access, work release, and ways to stay informed through the Sheriff’s Office. Each section below focuses on real steps and expectations so you can prepare effectively.

Understand the Autauga County Jail’s Role and Daily Operations

The Autauga County AL Jail functions under the Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Office and houses individuals awaiting trial as well as those serving county sentences. The facility also holds people arrested by local municipal agencies within the county, including the City of Prattville and the Town of Autaugaville. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the jail processes roughly 3,400 admissions and releases each year and maintains an average population of about 160 inmates supervised by a dedicated team of 39 staff members. The jail is led by Warden Captain Larry Nixon, and the mission centers on safe, secure detention while treating inmates and visitors with professionalism and respect.

To review the Sheriff’s Office description of the facility, use the official Autauga Metro Jail page, which introduces the Corrections Division, outlines responsibilities, and links to additional resources relevant to jail services and community interaction.

Use the Official Inmate Roster to Locate Someone in Custody

When you need to verify whether someone is currently at the Autauga Metro Jail, the Sheriff’s Office provides a public roster tool. The official Inmate Roster includes two primary views:

Current Inmates – This view lists individuals presently in the facility.
48 Hour Release – This list shows individuals released within the previous 48 hours.

The roster is provided as a convenience to the public. As with most law enforcement custody lists, information on the roster can change quickly as people are booked, transferred, or released. If you are planning a visit or need to coordinate time-sensitive legal matters, confirm details with the facility after checking the roster. The roster page also contains a disclaimer noting that the information is maintained for public convenience and may not be continuously verified in real time. Use the roster as a helpful starting point and follow up with the jail for time-critical questions.

Helpful search approach

Have the person’s full legal name ready.
If the individual has aliases or a hyphenated name, check likely variations.
Review the release list if you believe the person was recently released or transferred.

Navigate Intake, Booking, and Bond Procedures With Confidence

Understanding intake and bond procedures can save time and reduce stress during the first hours after an arrest. The Sheriff’s Office provides guidance on bail and bond processes on its official Bond Information page. While specific bond amounts depend on the charges and court determinations, the page explains how bond postings are handled locally and who to contact for case-specific requirements.

What to expect at intake

Identification and property: During booking, personal belongings are inventoried. Allowed items and commissary access are handled by jail policy (covered in later sections).

Health and safety checks: New arrivals are typically screened consistent with facility procedures.

Initial classification: Housing placement is made per facility standards and may change based on classification reviews.

Bond basics

Types of bond: The courts may set cash, property, or surety bonds depending on the case and applicable rules.

Posting procedures: Follow the steps on the Bond Information page and coordinate with the facility and the courts as instructed.

Verification: Bond rules can change by case; always use official channels to verify the latest requirements before attempting to post.

Plan an On-Site Visit: Follow Scheduling, Eligibility, and Conduct Rules

The Autauga Metro Jail lays out detailed rules to support orderly, safe visitation. Policies distinguish between on-site visits and video visitation, with strict eligibility and scheduling:

Confirm Eligibility and Bring Proper Identification

You must be on the inmate’s current visitation list. The list is updated on the first day of each month; if you’re not on it, you cannot visit until the inmate updates the list.

No visitors under 16 are allowed.

Bring a valid photo ID that clearly displays your date of birth—no exceptions. If you arrive without an acceptable ID, visitation will be denied.

Arrive Early and Sign In Properly

Sign in 15 minutes before your scheduled visit.

One 30-minute visit is permitted for general population inmates during the appropriate pod’s scheduled time. Each inmate is allowed up to four visitors for that session.

Family and friends should coordinate so that everyone arrives on time. Once a visit is completed for an inmate, that visit will not be extended or repeated for late arrivals.

Follow Pod-Specific Weekend Schedules

Saturday Visitation

POD 5: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
POD 6: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
POD 7: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
POD 8: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Isolation/Holding: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sunday Visitation

POD 1: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
POD 2: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
POD 4: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
POD 3 (Inmate Workers): 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Important conduct reminders: You must remain at the station assigned to the inmate you are visiting; moving between stations is not allowed. Cell phones and cameras are prohibited inside the facility; possession can result in an immediate ban from future visits.

Understand Disqualifiers and Waiting Periods

If you were convicted of drug charges and incarcerated at the Autauga Metro Jail for that conviction, you cannot visit inmates.

Individuals who have been incarcerated in the Autauga Metro Jail or who are currently on probation cannot visit for five years from the date of conviction or incarceration. (Active probationers are not allowed to visit.)

Explore Video Visitation When On-Site Travel Isn’t Possible

Video visitation is available to help families and friends connect when on-site visits are impractical. Registration and scheduling instructions are posted on the official Autauga Metro Jail page. Follow those instructions carefully and complete setup in advance of your preferred time.

Send Mail Correctly: Addressing, Limits, and Content Restrictions

Mail is an important lifeline, but it must follow jail policy to ensure security. When you prepare a letter:

Use Proper Addressing and Include a Return Address

Address outgoing mail to the inmate using their full name and the facility’s mailing address.

A complete return address is required. If your envelope lacks a valid return address and the inmate cannot provide one within three days, the envelope and its contents may be destroyed per policy.

Follow Ink and Card Rules

Only blue or black ink or pencil is accepted for written content.

Cards or letters containing glitter, recordings, markers, crayons, lipstick, perfume, stickers, highlighters, white-out, clippings, extra stamps, extra envelopes, or extra paper are not permitted and will be returned or rejected.

Know the Photo Limits

Inmates may keep no more than five photographs in their cell at any one time.

Photos printed on copy paper or images with inappropriate clothing or poses are not allowed.

If photos arrive addressed to one inmate but intended for another, the pictures are counted against the recipient inmate’s five-photo limit.

Understand Book and Reading Material Policies

Bibles and many reading materials are provided through donations, so outside drop-offs of books are not accepted.

Books for inmates must be ordered and shipped directly from the bookseller or publisher.

Only two books per month are allowed per inmate, and materials may not contain gang-related or sexual content.

Provide Commissary Funds the Right Way

The facility supports commissary purchases for personal hygiene products and approved extras. Personal hygiene items are not accepted as drop-offs and must be obtained via commissary. For the first week after intake, limited clothing items may be dropped off (see the next section), but other supplies come through the commissary system.

Funding Options and Lobby Kiosk

Money orders are accepted at the front desk during designated weekday windows (morning and afternoon).

A lobby ATM/kiosk can be used to add funds with cash or cards. The kiosk includes a small per-transaction fee for cash and a percentage fee for cards, as posted by the facility.

The Sheriff’s Office also references online deposit options available 24/7. Review the instructions on the jail’s official page for the most accurate, current process and any applicable service fees.

Indigent Support

If an inmate is deemed indigent, the jail provides a basic hygiene package consistent with policy.

Know What You Can Drop Off in the First Seven Days

During the first seven days of incarceration (including weekends and holidays), you may drop off certain white clothing basics at the front desk:

Up to three white t-shirts
Up to three pairs of white socks
Up to three pairs of white underwear
Female inmates may receive up to three sports bras (no underwires)

Label every item in permanent ink with the inmate’s name. After the seven-day window ends, inmates must purchase these clothing items through commissary. Staff will not accept hygiene products at drop-off; those must be ordered via commissary channels.

Place and Receive Calls: Understand the Phone System’s Limits

Phones located in inmate housing areas are set up for outgoing calls only. The jail does not accept incoming calls for inmates, and staff cannot pass along routine messages. If you need to block or unblock calls or you’re having difficulty receiving calls, check with your telephone service provider and consult the jail administration for guidance. Always remember that call access, duration, and monitoring follow facility policy and can vary based on housing classification or disciplinary status.

Schedule Attorney Visits and Handle Privileged Mail Properly

The jail maintains specific procedures to protect attorney-client communications while ensuring secure operations.

Attorney Visitation Windows and Requirements

Attorney-client visitation times: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (follow the jail’s posted hours and any updates).

The attorney must be the Attorney of Record or have filed a notice of appearance before visiting.

Jail staff will verify attorney status through the appropriate clerk’s office.

Attorneys must give 24-hour notice to schedule a contact visit with a client.

A government-issued ID and a valid Bar Card (with current ASB number) are required to enter; access can be denied if the Bar Card is not up to date.

Privileged Mail Rules

Privileged mail is strictly limited to correspondence between an inmate and their attorney of record. To avoid delays or returns:

Use envelopes no larger than 12" × 9".

Do not attach metal or plastic fasteners (e.g., paper clips, staples, binder clips).

Do not send writing materials (paper, pens, stamps, envelopes). Indigent inmates receive basic materials; others must obtain supplies through commissary.

If questions arise, contact jail administration for clarification before sending sensitive legal materials.

Review the Work Release Program: Expectations for Inmates and Employers

The Autauga Metro Jail’s work release program is authorized by the Sheriff and managed at the discretion of the Warden. Participation is a privilege, not a right, and both inmates and employers must follow strict rules to ensure accountability.

Daily Schedule and Supervision

Approved inmates may be picked up no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and must be returned by 6:00 p.m.

The same employer representative who signs the inmate out must sign them back in at the end of the day.

Inmates must remain on the job site at all times and be under supervision by a company employee in good standing.

Employer Responsibilities and Limits

Employers must provide the daily work location, contact person, and telephone number to the jail’s booking office.

Work is limited to Autauga County and surrounding counties within Alabama—no out-of-area assignments.

Employers accept responsibility for the inmate’s civil and criminal liability and medical needs while the inmate is signed out.

Employers or the inmate must furnish necessary work clothing, protective gear, and safety equipment.

Conduct Standards for Inmates on Work Release

No visiting with family or friends while on the job, and no contact with criminal victims.

No driving on public roadways.

If an inmate escapes or leaves the job site unsupervised, the employer must notify the Booking Office immediately.

Alcohol and drugs are prohibited; random screenings are conducted. Positive results or possession of contraband leads to immediate removal from work release and disciplinary housing.

Wages, Deductions, and Obligations

Inmates are paid at least the federal minimum wage for hours worked.

Paychecks are made out to Autauga County Work Release. The county retains 20% of earnings; the remainder is credited to the inmate.

Earnings are used to pay fines, costs, and restitution. If funds are not used appropriately, the inmate may be removed from the program.

File a Compliment or Complaint and Understand Oversight

The Sheriff’s Office encourages community feedback regarding interactions with deputies, jail staff, and other personnel. If you wish to recognize professional service or report a concern about conduct, use the official Citizen Compliment/Complaint portal. The form allows you to provide detailed information for administrative review and ensures your message reaches the appropriate division for follow-up.

For organizational context and leadership information, the Administration page outlines how the Sheriff’s Office is structured and provides an overview of key responsibilities. Understanding these lines of authority can help you direct requests accurately and expedite responses.

Stay Informed: Official Alerts, Notices, and Sheriff Updates

The Sheriff’s Office uses several official channels to inform the public about safety initiatives, operational updates, and major incidents. To keep track of policy changes, scheduled events, or significant arrests:

Check recent announcements on Press Releases.

Enroll in Alerts Sign-Up to receive notifications directly.

Review leadership communications on Message from the Sheriff for priorities, community safety guidance, and program highlights.

These sources are especially useful if you plan to visit the jail, expect weather or holiday impacts on office hours, or want to follow major public safety updates that may affect court or visitation schedules.

Report Crime Tips Through the Official Hotline

Community participation is essential to maintaining countywide safety. If you have information relevant to ongoing investigations or wish to provide a lead anonymously, the Sheriff’s Office maintains a dedicated reporting avenue on the Secret Witness page. Using the official channel ensures your tip is routed correctly for prompt review by investigators.

Use the Right Contact Path for Routine Questions

For general questions about jail operations, visitation, or administrative matters, consult the Sheriff’s Office Contact the Sheriff’s Office page. Using the published contact path helps the appropriate division respond more efficiently. When you reach out, be ready with the inmate’s full name, housing unit (if known), and any relevant date ranges (for example, the weekend you plan to visit). Providing these details up front reduces back-and-forth and speeds up guidance from jail staff.

Prepare for Your Visit: Practical Checklist

Before traveling to the facility, verify the following:

You are on the inmate’s visitation list for the current month.

You have a valid photo ID with date of birth.

You know the correct pod and visit window for the day you plan to visit (see schedules above).

You have arranged transportation that allows you to arrive 15 minutes early.

You understand prohibited items (no phones/cameras) and conduct rules (remain at your station, no station-hopping).

If you’ll be adding commissary funds, you have the payment method supported by the lobby kiosk or you’ve completed the money order process during the posted hours.

Support a Loved One Inside: Thoughtful Communication and Compliance

Maintaining contact helps with morale and reentry, but it must be done within jail rules to avoid delays or returns:

Keep letters simple and free of prohibited inks, adhesives, or decorations.

Number your photos (e.g., 1–5) and remove extras from future mailings if the inmate is at capacity.

Avoid sending books directly from yourself; instead, order from a bookseller or publisher and keep monthly limits in mind.

Coordinate visits with other family members so everyone arrives on time for the single 30-minute window.

Use official channels—roster, bond information, and contact page—before making long trips or time-sensitive plans.

Departments and Contact Information

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

Autauga County Sheriff’s Office (Administrative Office) — 162 West 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 — (334) 361-2500

Autauga County Jail FAQs

How do I confirm whether someone is currently in custody?

Use the official Inmate Roster. It provides two views—people presently housed and those released within the last 48 hours—along with a disclaimer that listings change quickly. Have the person’s full legal name and check both views if you believe they were recently released. For the jail’s mission, leadership, and corrections overview, see the Autauga Metro Jail page.

What should I know about visitation eligibility and check-in?

Visitors must be on the inmate’s current monthly visitation list and present a valid photo ID with date of birth; visitors under 16 are not permitted. General population inmates receive one 30-minute visit during their pod’s scheduled window, with up to four visitors total. Arrive 15 minutes early to sign in, remain at the assigned station, and do not move between stations. Cell phones and cameras are prohibited inside the facility. Weekend schedules are organized by pod; review posted details on the Autauga Metro Jail page before traveling.

How do mail, photos, and books work?

Mail must include a complete return address and be written in blue or black ink or pencil only. Items with glitter, stickers, perfume, highlighters, white-out, fasteners, or similar additions are rejected. Inmates may keep no more than five photos; images on copy paper or with inappropriate content are not accepted. Reading materials are provided through donations, and any books for a specific inmate must be shipped directly from a bookseller or publisher with content restrictions and monthly limits noted on the Autauga Metro Jail page.

How can I add commissary funds or schedule a video visit?

Money orders are accepted at the front desk on weekdays in morning and afternoon windows; a lobby kiosk is available for cash or card transactions with posted fees. The Sheriff’s Office also supports 24/7 online deposits and remote video visitation through its approved system. For step-by-step instructions and current fee information, consult Autauga Metro Jail. For case-specific bail requirements, refer to Bond Information.

How does the work release program operate?

Participation is a Sheriff-authorized privilege administered by the Warden. Approved inmates must remain on supervised job sites within Autauga County and surrounding Alabama counties; no personal visits, driving, alcohol, or drugs are allowed, and random screenings apply. Employers provide daily location details and assume responsibility while the inmate is signed out. Wages are paid to Autauga County Work Release, with a retention percentage and the remainder credited to the inmate for obligations. Program standards are outlined on Autauga Metro Jail, and general feedback may be submitted through Citizen Compliment/Complaint or public Alerts Sign-Up for official notifications.