Morgan County Jail
Morgan County Jail
Staff at the 994-bed Morgan County Jail can be reached 24 hours a day for inmate information at 256-351-4825.
After an arrest for a misdemeanor or felony in this county, the person is brought here for booking and processing. What happens next depends on the charges: they may be bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or held until the end of their trial.
Check the inmate search tool to see the current list of people in custody.
Inmates who receive a sentence of less than one year stay at this jail to serve it. Those who receive longer sentences are moved to the Alabama State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page walks you through searching the jail roster, getting directions, and using services like visitation, inmate account funding, mail, phone calls, voicemail, email and text, tablet rentals, bail bonds, and commissary.
Hang on to the inmate’s booking or jail ID number; it’s often required to send mail or messages. If you can’t find it online, call Morgan County Jail at 256-351-4825.
Inmate Services
Other Jails and Prisons
The Morgan County Jail posts its current inmates on the Official Jail Inmate Roster, where you can check an inmate’s charges, bond amount, when they can receive visits, and often their mugshot. You can also call 256-351-4825 for help. For case-specific court information in Alabama, check the Alacourt ACCESS V2.0 Portal.
Morgan County Jail Inmate Search
We’ve answered the most common questions about finding an inmate in the Morgan County Jail in our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers, along with how rosters work and what happens after booking. Call 256-351-4825 for more information.
The Morgan County Jail is licensed to house 994 inmates, but it is often forced to hold many more, particularly on weekends. Across most city and county jails, at least 40% of inmates turn over within a month, another 30% within 90 days, and another 20% within six months, and about 8-9% stay six to twelve months. When an inmate is held longer than twelve months, it’s usually because they face a serious charge like rape or murder. Those cases take time to prepare for trial, so offenders arrested in Morgan County remain in the Morgan County facility much longer.
Each year, approximately 19,880 offenders are arrested and detained by Morgan County law enforcement agencies.
The Morgan County Jail stands at 119 Lee Street NE in Decatur, AL 35601, and is run by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, which has served the county since 1818. The current building opened in 2006, and an annex was added in 2016, giving the jail room for 994 inmates: 550 beds in the main building and 444 in the annex. The daily population runs around 620, watched over by about 108 corrections officers plus contracted medical staff around the clock. People held here include those awaiting trial on misdemeanor and felony charges, people serving county time, and state inmates waiting to be moved. The sheriff describes the jail’s approach as rehabilitation-focused: low-risk inmates can join an inmate worker program, Morgan County Community Corrections runs work release ((256) 351-4739), and the Neighborhood Christian Center leads 40–50 classes a week in education, faith, and life skills. Call the jail at (256) 351-4825 or the sheriff’s main line at (256) 351-4800.
Search the sheriff’s inmate roster at morgancountysheriffal.gov/roster-choose, and check the warrants page if you’re worried about an outstanding warrant. Before surrendering, talk with the sheriff’s office or an attorney, and look up any case on Alacourt. Under Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 4.3, the person arrested sees a judge without unnecessary delay and within 72 hours. Morgan County is the 8th Judicial Circuit.
Bond options posted by the sheriff include release on own recognizance (often with pretrial supervision), a cash bond for the full amount, a property bond on Alabama property with every owner’s consent, or a bond through a bail bond company. The sheriff’s office is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon. Bail itself is a constitutional right for most defendants in Alabama. It can be denied in capital cases where the proof is evident or the presumption great, and, after a pretrial detention hearing, for the offenses covered by Aniah’s Law (2022): 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. The May 2026 Amendment 1, approved by 81.6% of voters, added solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder, and shooting into an occupied building or vehicle. Under the Rule 7.2 schedule, a Class A felony usually carries $10,000–$60,000 and DUI $1,000–$7,500, though judges may set bail above or below.
The jail is non-contact, and all visits are set up through JailATM at jailatm.com. On-site video visits run daily from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and must be booked 24 hours ahead; remote visits from home are offered daily in morning, afternoon, and evening blocks. Arrive 10 minutes early with a valid photo ID, and visitors under 17 must come with an authorized adult.
Personal mail is sent to the inmate’s name and ID number at Morgan County Jail, PO Box 16060, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Since April 1, 2025, it is scanned and delivered electronically to the inmate kiosk. Use your full name and return address and the inmate’s full name, ID number, and the jail’s full name, or the letter is discarded unopened. Legal mail goes directly to the jail on Lee Street. Only paperback books from authorized retailers are allowed, two at a time. Money can be added only through JailATM online or the cash kiosk in the sheriff’s lobby; money orders and mailed cash are refused, and the sheriff warns about social media scams promising commissary deposits. Court release paperwork often arrives around 5 p.m., and processing can take up to five hours, so check before driving over. Property is picked up on Saturdays and Sundays.
The City of Decatur runs its own public transit service; check its current routes before counting on a bus, since most visitors drive. The Sunoco at 106 6th Avenue NE and the Exxon at 604 6th Avenue NE are a few blocks away. Jack’s Family Restaurant at 514 6th Avenue NE and Zaxby’s at 410 Grant Street SE are good choices for a quick meal.
- Morgan County Jail: 256-351-4825
- Morgan County Sheriff: 256-351-4800
How booking works at Morgan County Jail
When someone is arrested, they are taken to Morgan County Jail for booking. This process includes identifying them, deciding on charges, and determining if they will be eligible for bail or held until court.
It's important to stay silent during this process, as any statements made may be used in court. Legal advice should be sought before speaking about the case.
The following steps make up the booking process at Morgan County Jail:
- Verification of personal details.
- Taking mugshots for identification purposes.
- Health assessments and questions about criminal history.
- Possible DNA collection if required.
- Search of the individual.
- Confiscation of personal property.
- Providing a phone call.
For more information on paying an arrestee’s bond, contact Morgan County Jail at 256-351-4825.
Paying bail for someone in Morgan County
After being arrested and booked into Morgan County Jail in Decatur, the arrestee's situation will proceed in one of three ways:
1. They may be released without bail and required to attend a court hearing.
2. They may be held in custody until their court date.
3. Bail can be posted for their release; call 256-351-4825 for the exact bail amount.
There are multiple ways to pay bail.
- Cash bonds are paid in full at the jail's bonding window or with the clerk of court, accepted as cash, cashier's check or money order, and many jails let you pay by card at a lobby kiosk or with an online bond vendor for a fee; have the inmate's full name and booking number when you go, and the jail is at 256-351-4825.
- Licensed bail bond agents in Morgan County can facilitate the process.
- Many courts accept a home or land as collateral for bond, as long as the owner proves clear title and equity at least equal to the bond amount (often twice it) with a deed and a current tax or appraisal value, and the court that set bail approves the pledge.
To get more information on the bail process in Morgan County, Alabama, visit the Morgan County Jail Bail FAQ.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Morgan County Jail? What is the Schedule?
Morgan County Jail Inmate Visitation Schedule
119 Lee Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601
256-351-4825
- First, you must register an account with jailatm, then add Morgan County Jail, then your inmate.
- Second, you can choose a time to visit.
- Offsite Video Visits can be done on Android, IOS (Apple) or Windows devices.
- All visits must be scheduled 24 hours prior to the appointment or up to 1 weeks in advance.
- CHECK-IN: 10 minutes prior to scheduled visit.
- Valid picture identification (e.g., driver’s license, State I.D., or Military I.D.) is required at Check-In.
- Visitors under the age of 17 must be listed as an additional visitor and accompanied and supervised by an authorized visitor over the age of 18.
- If a visitor loses internet connection during an offsite video visitation session, no refund will be issued.
ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| MONDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| MONDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
Register for Remote Video Visitation with your inmate at the Morgan County Jail by going here.
Once you register, choose the option for 'Video Calls' or Video Visists and you will be prompted for the information required, which will include copies of your state issued ID and more.
For help with signing up and using the inmate visitation app, go here to get your questions answered.
Note: While JailATM also offers the following inmate services, Morgan County Jail may not allow all of them. Check on the JailATM website to confirm.
Services available through JailATM are subject to change with no notice.
You Can Send Money
Morgan County Jail may have an agreement with JailATM so that you can deposit money online or using the kiosk in the jail lobby.
You Can Send Gift Packs
Morgan County Jail may have 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.
You Can Email Inmate
Morgan County Jail may have an agreement with JailATM which handles secure messaging between you and your inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow emailing your inmate.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Morgan County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-351-4825 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Morgan County Jail?
Morgan County Jail Inmate Visitation Schedule
119 Lee Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601
256-351-4825
- First, you must register an account with jailatm, then add Morgan County Jail, then your inmate.
- Second, you can choose a time to visit.
- Offsite Video Visits can be done on Android, IOS (Apple) or Windows devices.
- All visits must be scheduled 24 hours prior to the appointment or up to 1 weeks in advance.
- CHECK-IN: 10 minutes prior to scheduled visit.
- Valid picture identification (e.g., driver’s license, State I.D., or Military I.D.) is required at Check-In.
- Visitors under the age of 17 must be listed as an additional visitor and accompanied and supervised by an authorized visitor over the age of 18.
- If a visitor loses internet connection during an offsite video visitation session, no refund will be issued.
ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| MONDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 10:00AM - 7:30PM |
REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| MONDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 7:30AM - 11:30AM 1:00PM - 4:45PM 6:00PM - 9:00PM |
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Morgan County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-351-4825 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Morgan County Jail?
There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:
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
Morgan County Jail 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 Morgan County Jail 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#
Morgan County Jail
119 Lee Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601
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.
How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Morgan County
To deposit money online for an inmate in Morgan County Jail follow these steps:
- Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, the deposit service used for inmates at Morgan County.
- After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
- Choose Alabama, then choose Morgan County Jail
- Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
- Select your inmate.
- Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Morgan County Jail, and then input your payment method.
- NOTE: JailATM's support page lists a deposit limit of $300 a week per inmate and says the limit can be different at each facility.
- If you need to phone JailATM customer support, call 877-810-0914.
For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Morgan County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Morgan County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Morgan County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-351-4825 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Morgan County Jail?
Collect Calls
- Almost every jail, including Morgan County Jail, will allow inmates to contact pre-approved friends and family members' phones by calling collect.
- Calling collect is typically the most expensive way to contact people by phone and in many cases, it requires credit approval or a deposit to be made into a third-party phone company account through a contract with the jail.
Direct Calls
- Many jails are now contracting with a third party service (for a fee) that is less expensive and allows your inmate to use their phone system to make direct calls to your land line or cell phone.
- To find out about Morgan County Jail phone services, call 256-351-4825 or review the information on the Inmate Phone page.
- Some jails also allow sell phone cards directly to an inmate in the jail commissary store.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Morgan County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-351-4825 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Morgan County Jail, and what can I send them?
Morgan County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards
Ask the Morgan County Jail whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Morgan 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#
Morgan County Jail-AL
PO Box 16060
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Morgan County Jail
119 Lee Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601
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 Morgan 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 Morgan County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Morgan County Jail whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Morgan County Jail
119 Lee Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601
Morgan County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Morgan 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 Morgan County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Morgan County Jail-AL
PO Box 16060
Jonesboro, AR 72401
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 Morgan County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-351-4825 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Morgan County Jail, and what can I purchase?
JailATM – Send Money or Send Commissary Gift Packs to Morgan County Jail
Search for JailATM services for Morgan County Jail.
Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Morgan County Jail.
Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Morgan County Jail 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
Morgan County Jail 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.
How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Morgan County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Morgan County Jail follow these steps:
- Go to JailATM, choose Alabama, then choose Morgan County Jail
- Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
- Select your inmate, and then you will be prompted to Register with them to open an account.
- Select the products you want shipped to them at Morgan County Jail, and then input your payment method.
- NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Morgan County at any one time.
- If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Morgan County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Morgan County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Morgan County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-351-4825 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Morgan County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
How to Email an Inmate at Morgan County Jail
Using Jail ATM Digital Messaging with an Inmate at Morgan County Jail - Sending and Receiving Messages.
How It Works:
Once you sign up with Jail ATM instant Messaging you can you can send texts from the cell phone associated with the mobile number you provided at sign-up, and receive text messages from the inmate on the same cell phone. You can only use the phone number you signed up with or it won't work.
To learn more about this email service, check out our full instructions, including fees at our emailing and texting page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Morgan County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-351-4825 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Morgan County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Morgan County Jail now offers Jail ATM Tablet Rentals to their inmates.
Jail ATM is the same company that handles inmate money deposits and other services. Inmates can use their commissary accounty to order these.
The tablets can be rented on a daily basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for many activities.
All inmates receive some free time on the tablets each day. Purchasing a Gold Pass allows inmates access to the tablet for an extended period of time without interruption. The current fee for a 24-hour rental is $4.99, however Morgan County Jail may have a monthly rental plan. The tablet should last 5-7 hours on a single charge. An inmate with a Gold Pass, may return the discharged tablet and take another one provided there is still time remaining on the Gold Pass.
Tablet Services:
- Games – Play tested and approved games.
- Radio – Stream approved radio stations.
- Law Library – If your facility has online access to a law library, this can be displayed on the tablet for easy access by the inmates.
- Library – A large listing of books is found in the online library.
- Secure Browser – Sites included are up to the discretion of the facility and include options in categories such as Education, Music, Video, Sports, News, as well as Religious and Spiritual sites. Keyboard function is disabled to prevent unauthorized communication via dialogue or comment fields.
- Email and Messaging – For less than the price of a stamp, inmates can send and receive secure email from friends and family. All messages are archived for future reference and key words may be flagged for investigation.
- Video Calling
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Morgan County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 256-351-4825 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Morgan County?
Nearby counties
This facility, known as "Morgan County Jail" is also known as Morgan County Sheriff, Morgan County Inmate Search, Morgan County Arrests, Morgan County Jail .