Twenty-four hours a day, the 235-bed Dekalb County Detention Center provides inmate information at 256-845-8565.
This facility serves as the booking center for the county. People arrested for misdemeanors and felonies are brought here for booking and processing, and those who are detained stay until they post bond, are released on their own recognizance, or are held until their trial concludes.
You can view the current jail roster with the inmate search tool.
Anyone sentenced to less than one year serves the sentence in this jail. Anyone sentenced to more than one year is moved to the Alabama State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page provides details on inmate services, including the visitation schedule, sending money, sending mail, phone calls, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
Record the inmate’s booking number or jail ID for future use. If you can’t find it online, call Dekalb County Detention Center at 256-845-8565 and staff can help.
Phone: 256-845-8565
Physical Address:
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Dekalb County Detention Center
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Dekalb County Detention Center
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Other Jails and Prisons
For the most current information on an inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center, including charges, bond, visitation eligibility, and mugshot, check the Official Jail Inmate Roster or call the jail at 256-845-8565. If your search involves court information for a criminal case in Alabama, use the Alacourt ACCESS V2.0 Portal.
Dekalb County Detention Center Inmate Search
Our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers cover how to find an inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center, how the jail roster works, and what happens after arrest and booking. If your question isn’t there, call 256-845-8565.
The Dekalb County Detention Center’s licensed capacity is 235 inmates, but it often has to take in many more offenders, especially on weekends. Most city and county jails turn over at least 40% of their population each month, another 30% every 90 days, and another 20% every six months, while about 8-9% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Inmates held longer than twelve months are usually facing serious charges such as rape or murder. Those cases take longer to prepare for trial, so offenders arrested in DeKalb County remain at the DeKalb County facility much longer.
Each year, DeKalb County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 4,700 offenders.
The DeKalb County Detention Center sits at 2801 Jordan Road SW in Fort Payne and is run by the Corrections Division of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. The jail averages about 235 inmates, moves roughly 2,800 people in and out each year, and is staffed by a team of 46 under the chief jail administrator. It holds men and women arrested in DeKalb County on misdemeanor and felony charges while they wait for trial, people waiting to be transferred to the Alabama Department of Corrections, and people sentenced to less than a year. Since 2008 the county has also housed some federal detainees under a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service. For questions about someone inside, call the jail directly at (256) 845-8565; the sheriff’s non-emergency line is (256) 845-3801.
To find out whether your loved one is being held, check the sheriff’s online inmate roster at https://www.dekalbcountysheriff.org/inmate-roster/disclaim. After booking, Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 4.3 requires that an arrested person be brought before a judge without unnecessary delay and within 72 hours. Cases here are handled by the courts of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers DeKalb and Cherokee counties, and the jail has video-conferencing equipment so some hearings can take place without leaving the building. You can follow charges and court dates on Alacourt (https://v2.alacourt.com/). The sheriff also posts a Most Wanted page at https://www.dekalbcountysheriff.org/most-wanted/disclaim. If you think someone has a warrant, talk to the sheriff’s office or an attorney before they turn themselves in.
Under the Alabama Constitution, most defendants have a right to bail. A judge can deny it for capital offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great, and, since Aniah’s Law in 2022, after a pretrial detention hearing for 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. In May 2026 voters approved Amendment 1 (81.6% yes), which added solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder, and shooting into an occupied building or vehicle. Rule 7.2 offers a recommended bail schedule, such as $10,000–$60,000 for a Class A felony, $5,000–$30,000 for a Class B felony, $300–$6,000 for a Class A misdemeanor, and $1,000–$7,500 for DUI, though judges can set bail higher or lower. Release can come on personal recognizance, an unsecured appearance bond, or a secured bond backed by cash, property, or a licensed bail bond company. The jail accepts cash, credit card, or money order for bonds; call ahead to confirm the amount.
Visits are by video through NCIC and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. On-site video visits at the jail are free, run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., last 20–30 minutes, and allow up to two adult guests plus one child under 6; each inmate gets two visits a week. Remote visits from a phone or computer are available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at $0.25 a minute ($7.50 for 30 minutes) plus a $2.00 fee. Set up an account at ncic.com. No public bus serves the jail; most visitors drive.
If you need fuel or a bite while you’re in Fort Payne, Circle K at 1707 Glenn Blvd SW and Murphy USA at 1915 Glenn Blvd SW are both close by. For a quick meal, try Chick-fil-A at 1824 Glenn Blvd SW or Jack’s Family Restaurant at 921 Glenn Blvd SW.
Letters go to the inmate’s full name and inmate ID number, DeKalb County Detention Center, 2801 Jordan Road SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968. Postcards and envelopes written in blue or black ink are accepted, and newspapers, magazines, and softcover books must come straight from the publisher or a reputable seller. Money for commissary goes through JailATM at deposits.jailatm.com or (877) 810-0914, and you can also pay by money order or in person at the jail. NCIC handles phone calls ((800) 943-2189), messaging, and tablets. Inside, the jail has a medical unit with a full-time registered nurse and a part-time doctor, a law library, trustee work crews, and a work release program for nonviolent sentenced inmates.
After an arrest, individuals are taken to Dekalb County Detention Center for the booking process, where their identity is confirmed, charges are reviewed, and decisions are made about whether they will be released on bail or detained.
The arrested individual should remain silent during booking, as anything said could be used against them. It’s important to wait for legal representation before answering questions.
The booking process at Dekalb County Detention Center includes the following steps:
For questions about an arrestee’s bond or bail, contact the facility at 256-845-8565.
If someone has been booked at Dekalb County Detention Center in Fort Payne, their next steps may include:
1. Release without posting bail, provided they agree to attend court.
2. Detainment until their trial.
3. Posting bail or bond to secure release. For the exact amount, call 256-845-8565.
There are a variety of payment methods available for bail.
For a full guide to the bail process in DeKalb County, Alabama, visit the Dekalb County Detention Center Bail Information Page.
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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center? What is the Schedule?
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
256-845-8565
Schedule Video Visits online with NCIC
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | No onsite video sessions |
| MONDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| SATURDAY | No onsite video sessions |
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
In other words, you can visit your inmate in jail by using your home computer, as long as it is equipped with a microphone and camera that supports video.
Ask Dekalb County Detention Center whether a video visit made at the jail is free.
Costs
NCIC shows the price of a video visit before you confirm it. Rates are set by the provider and can change.
Ask Dekalb County Detention Center whether a video visit made at the jail is free.
How to set up your Video Visit
Your inmate will be notified by the jail staff of the date and time for the visit. Be logged in and connected to NCIC before the scheduled start time.
NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – info@ncic.com
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dekalb County Detention Center’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-845-8565 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center?
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
256-845-8565
Schedule Video Visits online with NCIC
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | No onsite video sessions |
| MONDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00 AM - 3:30PM |
| SATURDAY | No onsite video sessions |
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00 AM - 9:30PM |
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dekalb County Detention Center’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-845-8565 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center?
Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person.
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use a Jail ATM self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Dekalb County Detention Center uses Jail ATM to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. The company charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.
Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union. Call the Dekalb County Detention Center first as they may want you to do this online or at the jail kiosk instead.
Make the Money Order out to the payee the jail names (check with the jail first) and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order. Never mail cash or a personal check.
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Dekalb County Detention Center
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit with Jail ATM over the Phone by calling 877-810-0914
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #) and full legal name.
To deposit money online for an inmate in Dekalb County Detention Center follow these steps:
For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Dekalb County Detention Center, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for DeKalb County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dekalb County Detention Center’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-845-8565 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center?
To receive phone calls from an inmate in DeKalb County follow these instructions:
Dekalb County Detention Center uses the services of NCIC for inmate phone calling. It is called a ‘friends & family account”.
In order to receive phone calls from your inmate, you need to do the following:
NOTE:
1. You cannot receive any calls to your phone number from your inmate until both you and your phone number are registered.
2. When you do receive a call, the number you will view on your phone from the incoming call is: 800-943-2189.
3. When allowed by Dekalb County Detention Center, families can also leave secure voicemails for inmates to listen to.
Fees
NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – info@ncic.com
Full list of participating jails.
For all the information regarding phone calls with DeKalb County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, fees, 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 Dekalb County Detention Center’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-845-8565 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center, and what can I send them?
Postcards
Ask the Dekalb County Detention Center whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Dekalb County Detention Center 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#
Dekalb County Detention Center
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Dekalb County Detention Center
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
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 Dekalb County Detention Center 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 Dekalb County Detention Center standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Dekalb County Detention Center whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Dekalb County Detention Center
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
For inmates receiving mail in the Dekalb County Detention Center 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 Dekalb County Detention Center:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Dekalb County Detention Center
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
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 Dekalb County Detention Center’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-845-8565 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center, and what can I purchase?
Search for JailATM services for Dekalb County Detention Center.
Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Dekalb County Detention Center.
Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Dekalb County Detention Center may not allow all of them. Check on the JailATM website to confirm. Services available through JailATM are subject to change with no notice.
Send Gift Packs
Dekalb County Detention Center has an agreement with JailATM, which ships predetermined Gift Packs of candy, snacks and hygiene products to the inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow Gift Packs.
These can be ordered by you online and are delivered directly to the inmate.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Dekalb County Detention Center follow these steps:
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Dekalb County Detention Center check out our Commissary Instructions Page for DeKalb County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dekalb County Detention Center’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-845-8565 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Dekalb County Detention Center using an Online Messaging Service?
You can deposit money three different ways:
• Deposit online at NCIC.com
• Ask Dekalb County Detention Center whether it has an NCIC deposit kiosk and where it is.
• Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069 (Note: NCIC's terms put the live-agent fee for a phone payment or account set-up at no more than $5.95.)
NCIC Customer Service
Phone - 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069
Email – info@ncic.com
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Dekalb County Detention Center follow these steps:
Dekalb County Detention Center uses the services of NCIC for you to deposit funds into your inmate's account so that you and they can purchase secure email messaging services from this jail’s e-messaging service.
You can deposit money three different ways:
• Deposit online at NCIC.com
• Ask Dekalb County Detention Center whether it has an NCIC deposit kiosk and where it is.
• Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 800-943-2189 or 903-247-0069 (Note: NCIC's terms put the live-agent fee for a phone payment or account set-up at no more than $5.95.)
Email – info@ncic.com
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Dekalb County Detention Center check out our Secure Messaging Guide for DeKalb County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dekalb County Detention Center’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-845-8565 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the Dekalb County Detention Center have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Ask Dekalb County Detention Center whether NCIC tablets are available to inmates there.
Ask Dekalb County Detention Center whether NCIC tablets are available to inmates there.
Ask Dekalb County Detention Center what the tablets can be used for and whether there is a charge.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Dekalb County Detention Center’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-845-8565 for further assistance.
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What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding DeKalb County?
This facility, known as "Dekalb County Detention Center" is also known as DeKalb County Jail, DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, DeKalb County Inmate Search, DeKalb County Arrests, Dekalb County Jail & Detention Center, Dekalb County Jail & Detention Center, Alabama, DeKalb, DeKalb County Sheriff.
