clarke-county-al-jail sits at 149 Clark Street in the city of Grove Hill, Alabama. This place holds people who are waiting for their day in court. It also holds people who got a sentence of less than two years. The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office runs the day to day work here. Sheriff Ray Norris leads the team that keeps the place safe. The building can hold 142 people at one time. On most days, about 120 people stay in the cells. The jail opened a long time ago in 1812. It is one of the oldest spots for holding people in the state of Alabama. People who stay here get help with things like religious services and programs to help them work later. If you need to talk to the jail staff, you can call them at 251-275-8132. They are open during regular day hours to answer your calls.
Topical Authority Improvement Plan
- Legal rights for people in custody.
- Medical care rules for detainees.
- Detailed bail bond steps for Clarke County.
- How to get items from the commissary.
- The role of the Grove Hill judicial district.
- Court dates and how to look up the docket.
- Phone call rules and Securus or GTL details.
Intent Map
- Locate a person: Users want to see if someone is in jail. The roster section solves this.
- Send money: Users want to put cash on a books account. The commissary section solves this.
- Visiting: Users want to know when they can see a loved one. The visitation section solves this.
- Legal help: Users want to know how to get someone out. The bail section solves this.
Searching for People in clarke-county-al-jail
To look for a person in the clarke-county-al-jail, you can use the public list. This list has the names of everyone currently inside the building. The list updates every 15 minutes to stay fresh. It takes about 24 hours for a new person to show up on the list after they get arrested. When you look at the list, you will see a booking photo. You will also see the date they went to jail and what they are charged with. Charges can be small things like traffic tickets or big things like felony crimes. You can also see their ID number. This number is helpful if you want to send them money or letters. If you do not see the name you want, you can call the jail office at 251-275-8132. The staff can tell you if someone was just let out or moved to a different spot. They keep clear records of everyone who comes through the doors.
Visiting People in Grove Hill
Visiting a person in clarke-county-al-jail happens on specific days. You can go on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The time for visits is between 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. You must bring a card that has your photo on it, like a driver’s license. The jail has strict rules about what you can wear. Do not wear clothes that are too short or show too much skin. If you do not follow the dress code, the guards will not let you in. Only a few people can visit at one time. It is smart to get there early so you have a spot in line. The jail staff checks everyone who comes in to make sure the building stays safe. You cannot bring bags, phones, or food into the visiting room. Leave those items in your car or at home. Seeing family can help people feel better while they wait for their court date.
Sending Letters and Mail
People in clarke-county-al-jail like to get mail from home. You must use the right address so the letter gets to the right person. Write the full name of the person first. Then write “c/o Clarke County Jail”. Use the address P.O. Box 913, Grove Hill, AL 36451. All mail gets opened by the guards before the person gets to read it. They do this to look for things that are not allowed. Do not send stickers, glitter, or perfume on the paper. Do not send cash in an envelope. If the mail has things it should not have, the jail will throw it away or send it back. You can send photos, but they cannot show bad things or groups that break the law. Plain white paper and blue or black ink work best for letters. Keeping in touch through mail is a good way to support someone while they are away.
How to Put Money on an Account
Money helps people in clarke-county-al-jail buy things they need. They can buy snacks, soap, or extra warm clothes from the commissary. You can send money through JPay or Western Union. These services let you send cash using a phone or a computer. You will need to know the person’s full name and their jail ID number. You can also use a kiosk in the jail lobby to put money on an account. The jail does not take personal checks or cash through the mail. When the money gets to the jail, it goes into a private account for that person. They can then use a computer inside to pick out what they want to buy. Items are usually handed out once a week. Having a bit of money for snacks makes life in a cell a little easier for the people staying there.
Programs and Daily Life
Life inside clarke-county-al-jail follows a tight plan. People wake up early for breakfast and cleaning. The jail offers programs to help people change their lives for the better. One program is work-release. This lets some people leave the jail during the day to go to a job. They come back to their cell at night. This helps them keep their job and earn money for their family. There are also religious services for those who want to pray or study. The jail has medical staff to help people who feel sick. They give out medicine and check on health needs. The goal of these programs is to keep people busy and help them stay out of trouble when they leave. Safe living areas and fair rules help keep the peace inside the building.
The Role of the Clarke County Sheriff
Sheriff Ray Norris leads the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office. His team does more than just run the jail. They patrol the roads and catch people who break the law. They also serve papers for the court and help during big storms or accidents. The office is at 114 Court Street in Grove Hill. You can call the main sheriff line at 251-275-4254 for general questions. They work with the jail staff to move people to and from court. The sheriff makes sure that everyone in the jail is treated fairly. They also make sure the public knows what is happening with crime in the area. In 2018, the county had 439 violent crimes. The sheriff works hard to lower these numbers and keep families safe in their homes.
Bail and Getting Out of Jail
When someone goes to clarke-county-al-jail, they often want to know how to leave. A judge sets a bail amount. This is money paid to the court to make sure the person shows up for trial. If you pay the full amount, the person can go home. If you do not have all the money, you can call a bail bondsman. A bondsman takes a smaller fee and promises the court they will pay if the person runs away. Some people get out on their own “recognizance.” This means they promise to come back without paying money. If a person is charged with a very bad crime, the judge might say “no bond.” This means they must stay in jail until their trial is over. Once a person is cleared to leave, the jail staff finishes the paperwork and lets them out at the front door.
Court Dates and Legal Records
The court system in Clarke County handles all the cases for people in clarke-county-al-jail. The main court is in Grove Hill. There are also police departments in Jackson and Thomasville that help with arrests. You can look up court dates to see when a trial will happen. Legal records show what happened in past cases. These records are public, so anyone can look at them. If you are looking for someone’s records, you can go to the court clerk’s office. You can also search online through state portals. Knowing the court date is key for family members who want to be there for support. Lawyers also use these records to build a case. The court makes sure that the law is followed for every person in the system.
History of the Facility
The clarke-county-al-jail has a long story that goes back over 200 years. It was built in 1812. Back then, it was much smaller and very different. Over the years, the county added more room and better locks. The current building is a medium-security spot. This means it has strong walls and many guards, but it is not as strict as a big state prison. It is the only jail in the Grove Hill area. Because it is so old, it is a part of the history of Alabama. The building has seen many changes in how people are treated in jail. Today, it uses computers and cameras to keep everyone safe. Even though it is old, it still does the job of keeping the community secure every day.
Contact and Location Details
If you need to find the jail or talk to someone, use these details. The jail is easy to find in the middle of Grove Hill. You can see it near other county buildings.
| Detail Type | Data |
|---|---|
| Physical Address | 149 Clark Street, Grove Hill, AL 36451 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 913, Grove Hill, AL 36451 |
| Main Phone | 251-275-8132 |
| Sheriff Office Phone | 251-275-4254 |
| Visiting Days | Tuesday and Thursday |
| Visiting Hours | 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Official Site | clarkecountyal.com/sheriffs-department/ |
Here is a map to help you get to the building:
Frequently Asked Questions about clarke-county-al-jail
People often have many questions when a friend or family member goes to jail. These questions help people know what to do next. It is hard when you do not know the rules. We have gathered the most common questions and provided long answers to help you through this time. These answers cover money, phone calls, and what happens when someone is first caught. Read these to learn how to handle the situation without stress.
How do I search for a person in clarke-county-al-jail?
To see who is inside the clarke-county-al-jail, you must look at the official roster. The jail keeps a digital list that shows every person currently in a cell. You can look at this list on the web or ask the staff at the jail desk. The list gives you the person’s name, their age, and why they were arrested. It also shows their booking photo, which people often call a mugshot. If you do not see the person you are looking for, it might be because they were just arrested. It takes about 24 hours for the name to show up on the public list. You can also call the jail at 251-275-8132 to ask for help. They can tell you if the person is there or if they were sent to a different county. This list is very important for knowing if your loved one is safe and where they are staying.
What are the phone call rules for inmates?
People staying in clarke-county-al-jail cannot get incoming calls. You cannot call them and talk to them directly. But, they can call you during the day. They use phones in the common room of their housing unit. These calls are not free. You must set up an account with a phone service like Securus or a similar company. You put money on the account, and then the inmate can call your number. The jail records all calls to make sure everyone stays safe. Do not talk about the legal case on the phone because the police can listen to the tapes. Calls usually have a time limit, like 15 or 20 minutes. After the time is up, the phone will cut off. This lets other people have a turn to use the phone. If you have a block on your phone for collect calls, you will need to fix that before you can get a call from the jail.
What can I send to someone in jail through the mail?
You can send letters and some photos to people in clarke-county-al-jail. Every piece of mail must follow the jail’s strict rules. Only use plain white envelopes and white paper. Do not use cards that have music or parts that pop out. You should not use markers, crayons, or paint. Only use blue or black ink. If you want to send photos, make sure they are small, like 4 by 6 inches. Do not send more than five photos at one time. The photos cannot show drugs, weapons, or people without clothes. You cannot send books or magazines directly from your house. If you want to send a book, you must order it from a store like Amazon and have it shipped right to the jail. The book must be a softcover. Hardcover books are not allowed because they could be used to hide things or hurt someone. Always include your return address on the envelope so the person knows who sent it.
How does the bail bond system work here?
Bail is an amount of money that acts as a promise. When someone is in clarke-county-al-jail, a judge looks at their case and picks a bail amount. If the crime is small, the bail might be low. If the crime is serious, the bail will be high. You can pay this money in cash at the court to get the person out. This is called a cash bond. If you do not have the cash, you can use a bail bondsman. You pay the bondsman about 10 percent of the total bail. For example, if the bail is $1,000, you pay the bondsman $100. The bondsman then tells the court they will pay the rest if the person does not show up for their trial. If the person misses court, you lose your money and the person goes back to jail. Once the court case is over, the bail money is usually returned, but the fee you paid to a bondsman is gone forever.
What healthcare do people get inside the jail?
The clarke-county-al-jail has a medical team to look after the people inside. When a person first arrives, the staff checks them for health problems. If they have a disease or need daily medicine, the jail will provide it. There is a nurse on site to help with small issues like a cold or a cut. If someone has a big medical problem, the jail will take them to a doctor or a hospital in Grove Hill. The jail also helps people with mental health needs. They can talk to a counselor if they feel very sad or scared. The cost of basic medical care is covered by the jail, but sometimes people have to pay a small fee for seeing the doctor. This makes sure that everyone stays healthy and that sickness does not spread through the cells. The staff works hard to keep the jail clean to prevent people from getting sick.
Can I bring clothes or food to an inmate?
No, you cannot bring outside food or clothes to someone in clarke-county-al-jail. The jail provides all the meals and clothes the people need. Inmates get three meals a day that follow health rules. They also get a uniform to wear while they are inside. If an inmate wants extra food like candy or chips, they must buy them from the commissary. You can help by putting money on their account so they can buy these things. You also cannot bring soap, toothbrushes, or blankets from home. The jail gives these out, and better versions can be bought through the commissary. The only time you might be able to bring clothes is if the person is going to a jury trial. Sometimes a judge allows a suit or nice dress for the trial so the person looks good for the jury. You would have to get special permission from the jail or the court to do this.
Authority & Entity Expansion List
- Grove Hill Municipal Court: Explain the difference between county and city court cases.
- Clarke County Arrest Records: How to search for past arrests from 5 or 10 years ago.
- Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC): What happens when a person is moved from county jail to a state prison.
- Public Defender Office: How to get a free lawyer if you cannot afford one in Grove Hill.
- Victim Services: Resources for people who were hurt by a crime in Clarke County.
- Probation and Parole: Rules for people who are out of jail but still under the watch of the law.