Jail

This article explains how the Autauga County AL Jail—formally the Autauga Metro Jail—operates day-to-day, what to expect after an arrest, how to locate an inmate, and the exact rules for visitation, mail, commissary, phone access, attorney visits, and work release. Built for local residents and anyone with a loved one in custody, the guide summarizes official procedures, schedules, and restrictions so you can plan each step with clarity and avoid delays or rejected requests.

Understand the Autauga Metro Jail’s Role and Daily Operations

The Autauga Metro Jail is the county’s secure detention facility operated by the Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Office. The jail’s mission is custody, care, and control of individuals who are awaiting trial or serving short county sentences. It also houses people arrested by municipal police agencies in the county, including the City of Prattville and the Town of Autaugaville. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the facility processes about 3,400 individuals in and out each year and maintains an average population of approximately 160. Staffing numbers reflect this continuous activity: 39 team members are assigned to the Metro Jail, and the operation is led by Jail Warden Captain Larry Nixon. This structure ensures that intake, classification, visitation, mail handling, commissary, and releases happen according to uniform rules that apply to everyone.

For broad context and a full overview direct from the Sheriff’s Office, review the Autauga Metro Jail information on the official Autauga Metro Jail page.

Who the Jail Holds and Why That Matters for Families

It helps to understand the population the jail serves because rules on visitation, property, and attorney access are built around safety for all:

Pretrial detainees: Individuals who have been arrested and booked but are awaiting court appearances or trial.

County-sentenced inmates: Individuals serving sentences imposed by the local court system.

Municipal arrests housed by the county: Persons arrested by local police departments within Autauga County who are booked into the Metro Jail.

This mixed population drives the fixed weekend visitation schedule, the strict mail contraband policy, and the uniform rules for clothing drop-offs during an inmate’s first week.

Find an Autauga County Inmate: Where to Start and What to Expect

When timing is critical, your best first step is to search official custody records. The Sheriff’s Office provides a public roster that includes individuals currently held and a separate list of those released in the last 48 hours. Use the official inmate roster to look up names, confirm housing status, and plan visitation around the housing unit (pod) assignments that determine time slots. You can open the Current Inmates and 48 Hour Release options directly from the Sheriff’s Office official inmate roster.

To complement that official source, our local page provides a streamlined index to common custody lookups within the county; if you prefer a concise navigation hub while you gather case information, see the county’s county inmate roster.

What You’ll Learn From the Roster

Booking details that confirm custody and help you coordinate property drop-offs within the first seven days.

Pod assignment, which matters for in-person visitation schedules.

Recent releases, useful if you are confirming whether someone has been released before arranging transportation.

Navigate Booking, Release, and Bond in Autauga County

After booking, most time-sensitive decisions revolve around bond. Because bond processes vary by case type and eligibility, rely on the Sheriff’s Office’s dedicated guidance before you arrange payment or transportation. For step-by-step policies, fee details, and acceptable forms of payment, consult the Sheriff’s Office Bond Information page. That page is the definitive county source for understanding when a person can be released, how to complete the transaction correctly, and any limits tied to the case.

If your case involves court settings or filings, you might also reference the county’s courthouse page for general location context while you plan appearances: Autauga County Courthouse information.

Prepare for In-Person Visitation: Eligibility, Required ID, and Timing

The Autauga Metro Jail’s in-person visitation runs on a strict schedule organized by pod. To keep the process fair and secure, visits are limited and must follow sign-in requirements:

Arrive early: Visitors should sign in 15 minutes prior to the scheduled visitation window.

Age requirement: No one under the age of 16 is permitted to visit in person.

Approved list: Your name must appear on the inmate’s monthly visitation list (the list updates on the first day of each month).

Identification: You must present a valid photo ID that displays your date of birth. No ID means no visitation—no exceptions.

One visit per weekend: Inmates in general population are permitted one 30-minute visit during their assigned window. Once an inmate’s visit is completed, additional family or friends who arrive later cannot extend that time.

The Weekend Visitation Schedule by Housing Unit

Saturday (General Population & Housing/Isolation)

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 (General Population & Inmate Workers)

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.

Each inmate may have up to four visitors during their single 30-minute window. Families are encouraged to coordinate who will attend. Visitors convicted of drug charges who previously served time at the Autauga Metro Jail are not allowed to visit any inmate. Individuals who have been incarcerated at the Autauga Metro Jail, or who are currently on probation, are barred from visiting for five years from the date of conviction or incarceration; those on active probation may not visit.

Conduct Rules Inside the Visiting Area

Remain at the station assigned to your inmate; do not move between stations.

Cell phones and cameras are prohibited. Possession results in removal and a ban for the remainder of the inmate’s incarceration.

Once a visit is completed, it cannot be repeated or extended if other family members arrive late.

If you need to coordinate a visit or verify an inmate’s pod, use the official roster and, for general inquiries, the Sheriff’s Office Contact page to reach the appropriate office: Contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Schedule Video Visitation from Home

The Autauga Metro Jail offers video visitation, which allows you to visit from home using the jail’s designated vendor. You will need to create an account with the provider, select “Schedule Video Visit,” and choose the Autauga facility. After completing the registration steps and selecting a time, you can conduct the visit remotely. Because availability may change and technical steps vary by platform, always check the inmate’s housing status first and confirm that your chosen time does not conflict with the pod’s weekend in-person schedule.

Provide Clothing and Essentials the Right Way During the First Week

During the first seven days of incarceration (including weekends and holidays), you may drop off limited clothing at the front desk. This policy ensures an inmate has basic hygiene-compatible items without introducing contraband or excess property. Follow these limits exactly:

White, plain clothing only, with no logos or alterations:
Three (3) white t-shirts
Three (3) pairs of white socks
Three (3) pairs of white underwear
Female inmates may receive three (3) sports bras; no underwire is permitted

Labeling: Write the inmate’s full name in permanent ink on each item.

Timing: Drop-offs are allowed only if the inmate has been in the jail less than seven days. After seven days, all items must be purchased via commissary.

Personal hygiene products (soap, shampoo, etc.) are not accepted at the front desk. These must be obtained through the jail’s commissary system. Indigent inmates receive a basic hygiene package as determined by the facility.

Fund Commissary Accounts and Manage Phone Access

The jail provides multiple ways to place funds on an inmate’s commissary account and to communicate by phone within the security parameters of the facility.

Depositing Money for Commissary

Front Desk (Money Orders): Money orders are accepted at the front desk during weekday business hours (8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday; no exceptions).

Lobby ATM: Cash and card deposits can be made at the lobby ATM, available at any time. A transaction fee applies (noted by the Sheriff’s Office as a nominal fee for cash transactions and a percentage fee for credit/debit transactions).

Online Deposits: The jail also supports deposits through its designated online vendor (CorrectPay). Use the vendor’s platform to locate the facility and the inmate by name, then complete the deposit.

Because fees and vendor procedures may change, it’s wise to confirm the current process before you send funds. If questions arise, reach out through the Sheriff’s Office contact channel referenced earlier.

Phone Calls and Call Management

Phones inside inmate housing units are outgoing only; incoming calls to inmates are not permitted. If you are experiencing difficulties receiving collect or prepaid calls, first verify any blocks or restrictions with your telephone service provider. You may also contact jail administration through the Sheriff’s Office to understand steps for resolving blocks or adjusting phone settings for accepted calls.

Send Mail That Arrives on Time and Isn’t Rejected

Mail is essential for staying connected and for legal communications. The Autauga Metro Jail enforces strict standards to keep the facility safe. When you write to an inmate, address mail exactly as shown below, and always include a complete return address. If an envelope arrives without a complete return address and the inmate cannot provide one within three days, the envelope and its contents will be destroyed. The same rules apply to photos included with your letter.

Use this format (refer to the address listed at the end of this page):
Name of Inmate
Autauga Metro Jail
[Facility street address]
Prattville, AL 36067

Photo Limits and Per-Envelope Rules

An inmate may possess no more than five (5) photographs total in their cell at any time. If new photos arrive that exceed the limit, the mail will be returned to the sender.

Photos copied onto letters, images printed on copy paper, and photos with inappropriate clothing or poses will be returned.

Do not send photos under one inmate’s name intended for another; any photos received count toward the recipient’s limit.

Writing Materials and Ink Colors

Write only in blue or black ink or pencil. Mail written in other colors will be rejected.

Prohibited embellishments include glitter, recordings, markers, crayons, lipstick/lip gloss, perfume, stickers, highlighters, white-out, and copies.

Do not include cash, personal checks, extra stamps, extra envelopes, loose paper, clippings, or magazine pages. Such contents lead to rejection.

Books and Religious Materials

Bibles and general reading materials are provided through donations to the facility; family cannot drop off books in person. If you wish to send books, you may order from major booksellers so that the books are shipped directly from the company to the jail. Content restrictions apply: no gang-related material and no sexual content. The facility allows two (2) books per inmate per month.

Attorney–Client Access and Privileged Mail: Exactly How to Comply

Attorneys may visit clients in a designated attorney area at the jail, subject to verification and scheduling procedures that keep legal visits efficient and secure.

Attorney Visitation Schedule and Verification

Visiting Hours (Monday–Friday): 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Attorney of Record: You must be the Attorney of Record or have filed a Notice of Appearance for the specific case before you can meet with the inmate.

Verification: Jail staff verify attorneys with the appropriate clerk’s office. Bring a valid government-issued ID and a current Bar card displaying your Alabama State Bar number; if the Bar card is not up to date, access will be denied.

Scheduling: Attorneys must give 24-hour notice to schedule a contact visit with their clients. If you need case numbers or filing assistance, the county’s Circuit Clerk details page can help you navigate where to retrieve court file information.

For an overview of the Sheriff’s Office divisions and administrative contact channels that support legal visitation, the county provides a general resource here: Sheriff’s Office overview.

Privileged Mail (Attorney–Client Correspondence)

“Privileged mail” is correspondence between an inmate and their attorney of record. To ensure your privileged mail is delivered promptly:

Envelope size: No larger than 12" × 9". Larger envelopes will be returned to sender.

No fasteners: Remove all metal and plastic fasteners (paper clips, staples, binder clips, etc.). If fasteners are present, mail will be returned.

No writing materials: Do not send blank paper, pens/pencils, stamps, envelopes, or self-addressed stamped envelopes. Indigent inmates are provided writing materials; others must purchase them through commissary.

Addressing: Use the privileged mail addressing format, include a complete return address, and confirm the inmate’s current housing status before you send sensitive case documents.

If you need to coordinate scheduling or clarify procedural questions, use the Sheriff’s Office contact page referenced above for the best route to the appropriate staff.

Work Release Program: What Employers and Inmates Must Do

The Sheriff authorizes the Autauga Metro Jail to operate a work release program that enables eligible inmates to work under strict supervision and accountability rules. Participation is a privilege, not a right; it is approved at the Warden’s discretion, and violations result in immediate removal from the program.

Employer Responsibilities and Daily Logistics

Pick-up and return times:
Earliest pick-up: 6:00 a.m.
Latest return: 6:00 p.m.
The employer representative who signed the inmate out must also sign the inmate back in.

Supervision: The inmate must remain on the job site at all times and be supervised by a company employee in good standing.

Job site details: Provide the Booking Office with the location, contact person, and telephone number for each day of employment.

Geographic limits: Inmates may not work outside Autauga County or surrounding Alabama counties.

Liability and safety: While the inmate is signed out, the employer assumes responsibility for civil and criminal liability and medical needs. Employers must supply required work clothing and any protective/safety equipment.

Pay, Deductions, and Compliance

Wages: Work release inmates are paid at least the federal minimum wage for every hour on the job.

Payment: Paychecks must be made payable to “Autauga County Work Release.”

Deductions: The county retains 20% of earnings; the inmate receives the remainder and must use it to pay fines, costs, and restitution. Misuse of funds can trigger removal from the program.

Prohibited Conduct and Enforcement

No vehicles: Inmates may not drive on public roadways.

Accountability: All inmates must be accounted for at all times. If an inmate leaves a job site without supervision or escapes, the Booking Office must be notified immediately.

No alcohol or drugs: Contact with or consumption of alcohol or drugs is forbidden; random screenings may be conducted. Positive tests or contraband possession result in removal from the program and return to general population.

No family contact on the job: Inmates may not visit with family or friends during work hours and must not contact any victims.

Discretion of the Warden: The Warden may remove an inmate from work release at any time for violations or security reasons.

If you are an employer considering participation, or a family member coordinating transportation, use the official contact channel to reach the jail for the most current forms and approvals: Contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Keep Mail and Property Compliant: Common Reasons for Rejection

To reduce delays and ensure that your support reaches your loved one:

Return address: Always include a complete return address. Without it, delivery cannot be completed and items may be destroyed after three days if the inmate cannot provide a return address.

Ink color: Stick to blue or black ink or pencil—other colors lead to rejection.

No add-ons: Avoid every prohibited embellishment (glitter, perfume, stickers, recordings, highlighters, crayons, markers, lipstick, white-out).

Photographs: Respect the five-photo total limit and content rules.

Books: Only two per month, shipped from the seller directly to the jail, with no gang-related or sexual content.

Clothing: Deliver only during the first seven days, follow the white-only rule, and label each item with the inmate’s name using permanent ink.

Plan Your Court and Case Steps With the Right Offices

While the Metro Jail manages custody and visitation, court calendars, filings, and records flow through the courthouse and clerk’s offices. If you’re coordinating hearing logistics, filings, or case numbers, the following local resources help you orient tasks around the county’s justice system infrastructure:

Learn more about Sheriff’s Office administrative functions from the county’s Sheriff’s Office overview.

Confirm case-related filings or find docket information via the county’s Circuit Clerk details.

For courthouse planning and wayfinding, see Autauga County Courthouse information.

When you need to connect directly with sheriff’s personnel for jail-specific issues—property pickups after release, verification for attorney visits, or clarification about visitation eligibility—the official contact channel remains the most reliable avenue: Contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Stay Updated From Official Sources Only

For the latest official statements, service changes, or safety notices related to custody, always start with the Sheriff’s Office. The Metro Jail page remains the central index for jail-specific rules and any updates to visitation, commissary, or property procedures. Re-check the inmate roster before you travel for visitation so you do not arrive outside the correct pod window or after a release.

Jail overview, address, scope, and rules: Autauga Metro Jail page
Custody status and pod assignments: official inmate roster
Bonds and release procedures: Bond Information page
Contact routing to the right division: Contact the Sheriff’s Office

These four sources keep your planning aligned with county rules and help you avoid misinformation.

Departments and Official Contacts (Jail-Related)

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

Autauga County Sheriff’s Office (Administrative Office, 24-Hour) — 162 West 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 — Phone: (334) 361-2500

Secret Witness Hotline — Phone: (334) 361-2599

Autauga County Jail FAQs

How can I confirm who is currently in custody?

Use the Sheriff’s Office Inmate Roster to see current bookings and a separate 48-hour release list. These official pages are the county’s public record for custody status and are the first place to check before planning any visit or property drop-off. Visit the Inmate Roster.

What should I know before an in-person visit?

Visitation operates on weekend time blocks by housing unit. Arrive early to sign in, bring a valid photo ID with date of birth, and ensure your name is on the inmate’s monthly list (updated the first of each month). Only one 30-minute visit is allowed for general population each weekend with up to four visitors. Phones/cameras are prohibited, and visitors must remain at their assigned station. See rules on the Autauga Metro Jail page.

What clothing and property are allowed during the first week?

Within the first seven days only, you may drop off limited white-only basics: three T-shirts, three pairs of socks, and three pairs of underwear; females may also receive three sports bras (no underwire). Every item must be labeled with the inmate’s name in permanent ink. After seven days, all items must be purchased through commissary. Full details appear on the Autauga Metro Jail page.

How do commissary deposits and phone access work?

Money orders are accepted during listed front-desk hours, and a lobby kiosk allows cash or card deposits with posted fees. Deposits by mail are also accepted as directed on the jail page. Housing-unit telephones support outgoing calls only; for blocked or technical issues, follow the jail’s guidance. Review procedures on the Autauga Metro Jail page.

What are the mail and photo restrictions?

Mail must include a complete return address; if absent and not provided within three days, contents are destroyed. Write in blue or black ink or pencil only. Items like glitter, stickers, perfume, recordings, crayons, markers, and similar embellishments lead to rejection. Inmates may retain no more than five photos total; copied or inappropriate images are returned. See mailing rules on the Autauga Metro Jail page.

Where can I review bond and release procedures?

For payment methods, eligibility, and step-by-step county rules before arranging transport or funds, consult the official Bond Information page. If you still need clarification after reviewing policy pages, use Contact Us to reach the Sheriff’s Office.