Dallas County Jail
Dallas County Jail
Whether it’s the middle of the night or the middle of the day, the 180-bed Dallas County Jail can be reached for inmate information at 334-874-2530.
Misdemeanor and felony arrests from across the county all come through this jail for booking and processing. If the charges warrant detention, the person stays until they are bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or held until a verdict is reached at trial.
Current inmates are listed in the roster available through the inmate search tool.
Sentenced to under a year? The time is served here in the county. Sentenced to more? The inmate goes to the Alabama State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page shows how to search the official jail roster, how to find the facility, and how to use inmate services such as the visitation schedule, inmate account deposits, mail, phone calls, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary.
Hold on to the inmate’s jail ID or booking number, since mail and messaging usually require it. If it’s not online, call Dallas County Jail at 334-874-2530.
Inmate Services
Other Jails and Prisons
The easiest way to find an inmate in the Dallas County Jail is to search the Official Jail Inmate Roster, which shows charges, bond amounts, visiting eligibility, and mugshots. You can also get this information by calling 334-874-2530. You can look up specific court information for a criminal case in Alabama through the Alacourt ACCESS V2.0 Portal.
Dallas County Jail Inmate Search
Our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers cover:
- How to find an inmate in the Dallas County Jail
- How jail rosters work
- What happens after an offender is arrested and booked
If you still have questions after reading them, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
The Dallas County Jail is licensed for 180 inmates, but it often has to make room for many more offenders, especially on weekends. Most city and county jails turn over at least 40% of their population monthly, 30% more every 90 days, and 20% more every six months. Around 8-9% stay incarcerated for six to twelve months. Inmates held longer than twelve months are usually facing serious charges like rape or murder. Because those cases take longer to prepare for trial, offenders arrested in Dallas County remain in custody at the Dallas County facility much longer.
Every year, Dallas County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 11,240 offenders.
The Dallas County Jail is run by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Michael L. Granthum, but it is not in Selma right now. An EF-2 tornado badly damaged the jail on Selfield Road in January 2023, and it has been closed ever since. Since then the county has rented space at the Perry County Correctional PREP Center, 4805 US-80 East in Uniontown (Perry County), about 30 miles west of Selma. Dallas County pays for food and utilities there and uses its own staff. The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles operates the PREP Center. The county’s jail page lists this temporary facility, with Warden Steve Coleman, a staff of 28, and an average population of about 180. In May 2026, the Dallas County Commission awarded a contract to Selma-based Steward Construction for a new jail of roughly 350 beds, and the sheriff expects it to open in 14 to 18 months.
Some inmates are being held at the Alabama DOC PREP Center in Uniontown while the jail gets rebuilt. It should be ready for inmates sometime in late 2027.
The fastest way to confirm that someone is in custody, and where, is to call the sheriff’s office at (334) 874-2530. The office is at 102 Church Street in Selma and is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The temporary jail’s office line is (334) 690-1200, weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m. VINELink also shows custody status. The jail holds men and women on misdemeanor and felony charges, both before trial and while serving county sentences. People sentenced to more than a year are sent on to the state or federal system. Programs include AA, counseling, religious services, education and recreation, along with medical and mental health care.
Dallas County is in the 4th Judicial Circuit, and Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 4.3 requires a first appearance before a judge within 72 hours of arrest. The Alabama Constitution makes bail available in most cases. The exceptions are capital charges where the proof is evident or the presumption great, and the Aniah’s Law offenses (2022) for which a judge can deny bail after a detention hearing: murder; first-degree kidnapping, rape, sodomy, sexual torture, domestic violence, human trafficking, burglary, arson and robbery; aggravated child abuse and certain offenses against children; and terrorism. Amendment 1, passed with 81.6% of the vote in May 2026, added solicitation, attempt or conspiracy to commit murder and shooting into an occupied building or vehicle. Judges use the Rule 7.2 schedule as a guide ($10,000–$60,000 for a Class A felony, $5,000–$30,000 for Class B, $300–$6,000 for a Class A misdemeanor, $1,000–$7,500 for DUI) and can set bail above or below it. Release may be on personal recognizance, an unsecured appearance bond, or a secured bond in cash, real estate, or through a bail bondsman. Before surrendering on a warrant, look up the case on Alacourt and speak with the sheriff’s office or a lawyer.
Visits are by video through Inmate Sales. Register at inmatesales.com before booking. On-site video visits are free, last 20 minutes, and run 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on each inmate’s assigned day. Remote visits from home are available 6 a.m.–11 p.m. daily at $0.20 a minute. Bring a photo ID, dress appropriately, and bring no more than three visitors, with an adult accompanying anyone under 17. Because the jail has moved, confirm where on-site visits are held when you book. No public bus runs between Selma and Uniontown, so plan to drive US-80. Chevron (300 Washington Street) and Uniontown Gas Station (500 US-80) are the town’s fuel stops, and Dorothy’s Kitchen (377 Water Avenue) and Stockyard Cafe (77 Noel Circle) serve lunch.
Inmate Sales also handles phone calls ((877) 998-5678), tablets and Chirp text messages ($4 a month plus $0.10 a message). Commissary money goes through Inmate Canteen ((715) 690-2965), with a $125 spending limit. Mail has historically gone to the inmate’s name and ID number at Dallas County Jail, 988 Selfield Road, Selma, AL 36703. Because inmates are housed in Uniontown for now, call the sheriff’s office to confirm the current mailing address before sending letters, books or magazines. Staff open every piece to check for contraband.
- Jail (Main): 334-874-2530
- Juvenile: 334-876-4809
- Sheriff: 334-874-2530
What is the booking process for the Dallas County Jail?
After being arrested, the offender is brought to the Dallas County Jail for booking, which is the detailed process of identifying, classifying, deciding on charges, and whether the person will either be released on their own recognizance, allowed to be released on bail, or moved into the jail until their court date.
The first thing every newly arrested person must do is close their mouth. Everything an offender says may be used against them, so the best thing to do is remain silent when questioned about the arrest and what led to it.
These are the steps of booking someone into the Dallas County Jail:
- Personal identification.
- Mugshot(s).
- Questions about medical history, mental health, drug and alcohol use, and gang affiliations.
- Possible DNA.
- Full body search.
- Property forfeiture.
- Free phone call.
If you have any questions about when you can pay an offender's bond and what the cost will be, call the facility at 334-874-2530.
How do you pay bail for someone who has been arrested in Dallas County?
When an offender is arrested and brought to the Dallas County Jail in Selma for booking, there are several outcomes after being processed.
1. The offender will be released with no bail, promising to return on a specific date to appear before a judge in either Municipal or Dallas County Court.
2. The offender is ordered to remain in jail until their court date.
3. The offender is allowed to be released after paying a specified bond or bail. Call 334-874-2530 to get the exact amount.
The payment of an offender's bail or bond can take many shapes.
- A cash bond is paid in full at the jail's bonding window or the clerk of court, usually by cash, cashier's check or money order, and many jails also take debit or credit cards through a lobby kiosk or an online bond vendor for an added fee; bring the inmate's full name and booking number, and the jail's number is 334-874-2530.
- It can be paid using a bail company, licensed to do business in Dallas County.
- Many courts accept land or a home as bond collateral; the owner shows clear title and equity of at least the bond amount, often double, using a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value, and the court that set bail approves the property.
For detailed Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the entire bail process in Dallas County Alabama, check out the Dallas County Jail Bail Page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Dallas County Jail? What is the Schedule?
Dallas County Jail on-site Inmate Visitation Schedule
988 Selfield Road
Selma, AL 36703
334-874-2530
- First, you must register with Inmate Sales, and then schedule a visit.
- Each inmate is allowed an unlimited amount of visits per day. Remote visitation is $0.20 per minute.
- Proper attire is required. No low-cut blouses, tank tops, short skirts or dresses, tight shorts, hats or any other form of provocative dress will be allowed. Shirt and shoes must be worn.
- All visitors must provide proper state or government issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, foreign id or passports) for inmate visitation.
- On Site video visitation is available at no cost.
- A video visit lasts 20 minutes.
- Visitors may only use this system on the inmates assigned visitation day, whenever the inmates have free time.
- All rules set forth for non-contact visitation shall be adhered to when using the video visitation system.
- Any lewd, profane or inappropriate behavior shall result in loss of video visitation privileges for the visitor and/or inmate.
- Each inmate is permitted a maximum of three on site visitors per session.
- Visitation sign-up is limited and on a first-come first serve basis.
- Visitors are encouraged to go online and reserve a visitation time. Purchased visitation minutes are not transferable.
- An adult must accompany all visitors who are under 17 years of age. Children must be monitored at all times.
- Visitors are not allowed to bring any personal belongings with them into the visitation area other than their picture ID and/or a set of keys unless otherwise allowed by the jail.
ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION - * NOTE: Each inmate is assigned one day a week for on-site visits. Check with them for their specific day, then book a time online with Inmate Sales.
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
Dallas County Jail Remote Inmate Video Visitation
- First, you must register with Inmate Sales, and then schedule a visit.
- Each inmate is allowed an unlimited amount of visits per day. Remote visitation is $0.20 per minute.
- Remote Visits are $0.20 per minute.
REMOTE VIDEO VISITATION
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| MONDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
Dallas County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales, also known as Combined Public Communication (CPC) for visitation communication between inmates and their friends and family members.
In order to have a successful video visit, these are the steps to follow:
- Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
- Register with Inmate Sales.
- Find Dallas County Jail
- Select 'New Purchase'
- Choose this facility and a product ('Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
- Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
- Schedule a visit.
Call 877-998-5678 if you have any questions.
iphone app
Google Play app
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dallas County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Dallas County Jail?
Dallas County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales, also known as Combined Public Communication (CPC) for visitation communication between inmates and their friends and family members.
In order to have a successful video visit, these are the steps to follow:
- Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
- Register with Inmate Sales.
- Find Dallas County Jail
- Select 'New Purchase'
- Choose this facility and a product ('Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
- Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
- Schedule a visit.
Call 877-998-5678 if you have any questions.
iphone app
Google Play app
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dallas County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Dallas County Jail?
Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:
NOTE: Dallas County Jail may only allow online deposits for local commissary purchasing.
1. Register or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen.
2. Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
3. Select the "Purchase Items" option.
4. Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.
How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Dallas County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Dallas County Jail follow these steps:
- Register to create an account, or Log in to your account at Inmate Canteen if you already have one.
- Select Alabama, then Dallas County Jail, and then the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
- Select the "Purchase Commissary Items" option.
- Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
- NOTE: Dallas County Jail may at times only allow online deposits for your inmate to purchase their own commissary locally.
For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Dallas County Jail, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Dallas County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dallas County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Dallas County Jail?
How Do Inmates in Dallas County Jail Make Phone Calls?
To receive phone calls from inmates in Dallas County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:
- Dallas County Jail uses the services of a company named Inmate Sales.
- Register with them online or call them at 877-998-5678.
- Agents are available M-F from 8:00 AM - 12:00 midnight EST, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and speak both English & Spanish.
- Services for Dallas County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.
For all the information regarding phone calls with Dallas County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dallas County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Dallas County Jail, and what can I send them?
Dallas County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards
Ask the Dallas County Jail whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Dallas County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.
Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Dallas County Jail
988 Selfield Road
Selma, AL 36703
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Dallas County Jail
988 Selfield Road
Selma, AL 36703
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
Ask the Dallas County Jail whether books can be mailed in, and whether they must come straight from a publisher or retailer such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Dallas County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Dallas County Jail whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Dallas County Jail
988 Selfield Road
Selma, AL 36703
Dallas County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Dallas County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Dallas County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Dallas County Jail
988 Selfield Road
Selma, AL 36703
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dallas County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Dallas County Jail, and what can I purchase?
Dallas County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Online Commissary Purchases for an Inmate.
Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.
NOTE: Dallas County Jail may only allow online deposits for local commissary purchasing.
For best results use google chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to purchase commissary items for.
- Select the "Purchase Items" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to purchase items for an inmate.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dallas County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Dallas County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Dallas County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales to allow text messaging communication between inmates and their friends and family.
Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.
This product allows inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
Here's how it works:
- First you must register, and then funds are added to the inmate's account. If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
- When an inmate gets the device they may send 5 free automated messages each day for the first three days of possession of the chirping device.
- These automated messages will inform the person the inmate Chirped who is sending the Chirps and the facility they are Chirping from.
- It will then ask them to go to a direct link to the inmate's account on the Inmate Sales website.
- The website will then instruct them to use a credit card to put money on the inmate's account.
Cost of Chirping:
- If an inmate has available funds on their chirping device they will be able to chirp any cell phone and that chirp will appear to be a normal text.
- If you wish to stop receiving Chirps from an inmate, reply to the Chirp with STOP.
How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Dallas County
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Dallas County Jail follow these steps:
- Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in Dallas County, by creating an account.
- Select Alabama, then select Dallas County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
- Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
- If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
- NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.
- Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.
- This product allows Dallas County inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
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Inmate Sales Apps
iphone app
Google Play app
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Dallas County Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Dallas County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dallas County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Dallas County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Dallas County Jail now offers Inmate Sales Tablets to their inmates.
Inmate Sales also handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting (they call it chirping) and digital letters.
The tablets are not directly connected to the internet, and inmates can use them for the following activities:
- Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
- eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture.
- Job Search - Inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
- Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
- Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
- Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
- Law Library - Legal research with up-to-date case information.
- eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
- Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
- Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
- Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
Here's how it works:
- Register here. It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
Questions:
- By phone - 877-998-5678
Dallas County Jail now offers Inmate Sales Tablets to their inmates.
Inmate Sales also handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting (they call it chirping) and digital letters.
The tablets are not directly connected to the internet, and inmates can use them for the following activities:
Here's how it works:
- Register here. It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
Questions:
- By phone - 877-998-5678
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dallas County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 334-874-2530 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other City and County Jails in Dallas County?
Dallas County County Jails
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Dallas County?
Nearby counties
This facility, known as "Dallas County Jail" is also known as Dallas County Sheriff, Dallas County Criminal Court, Dallas County Inmate Search, Dallas County Arrests.