Pickens County Detention Facility
Pickens County Detention Facility
The 185-bed Pickens County Detention Facility is open 24 hours a day for inmate inquiries at 205-367-2000.
Misdemeanor and felony arrestees from across the county are brought to this jail for booking and processing. Those who are held stay until they are bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or ordered to remain in custody until the resolution of their trial.
Search the roster using the inmate search tool to see if someone is in custody.
Inmates with a sentence of less than one year serve it here, while inmates with a longer sentence are transferred to the Alabama State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page includes how to search the jail roster, directions to the facility, and information on the visitation schedule, inmate accounts, mail, phone calls, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, bail bonds, and commissary.
It helps to have the inmate’s booking number or jail ID ready when sending mail or messages. If it isn’t online, call Pickens County Detention Facility at 205-367-2000.
Inmate Services
Phone
205-367-2000Mailing address (personal mail)
Pickens County Detention Facility
PO Box 226
Carrollton, AL 35447
(personal mail - white postcards only)
Mailing address (legal mail or subscriptions)
Other Jails and Prisons
The Official Jail Inmate Roster is where you can search for an inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility and find their criminal charges, bond amount, visitation eligibility, and mugshot. If you have questions, call the jail at 205-367-2000. Specific court information on criminal cases in Alabama can be found through the Alacourt ACCESS V2.0 Portal.
Pickens County Detention Facility Inmate Search
Our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers help you understand how to find an inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility, how the roster works, and what happens after an offender is arrested and booked. Questions not answered there can be directed to 205-367-2000.
The Pickens County Detention Facility is licensed for 185 inmates, but it is often forced to make room for many more, especially on weekends. Typical turnover at city and county jails is at least 40% of the inmate population each month, another 30% every 90 days, and another 20% every six months, with approximately 8-9% staying six to twelve months. Inmates held longer than twelve months usually face serious charges such as rape or murder. Because it takes longer to prepare those cases for trial, offenders arrested in Pickens County remain in the Pickens County facility much longer.
Every year, approximately 3,700 offenders are arrested and detained by Pickens County law enforcement agencies.
People arrested in Pickens County are booked into the Pickens County Detention Center, 188 Cemetery Street, Carrollton, AL 35447, which is operated by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. This medium-security county jail holds people arrested on misdemeanor and felony charges while their cases move through court, along with those serving shorter county sentences. The main number is (205) 367-2000. The sheriff posts a current inmate roster at pcsoal.org/roster-choose.
After booking, each new inmate gets a collect call to reach family or a lawyer, and must see a judge without unnecessary delay and within 72 hours of arrest (Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 4.3). Pickens County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit with Fayette and Lamar counties. Case information is on Alacourt. If there may be a warrant, contact the sheriff’s office or an attorney before turning yourself in.
Bail is a right for most defendants in Alabama, apart from capital cases where the proof is evident or the presumption great and the charges covered by Aniah’s Law (2022), where a judge may 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, approved by 81.6% of voters in May 2026, added solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder and shooting into an occupied building or vehicle. Judges start from the Rule 7.2 schedule (for example, $5,000–$30,000 for a Class B felony) and may adjust. Release can be on recognizance, an unsecured appearance bond, or a secured bond of cash, property, or a bail bond company.
Visits are by appointment only; call (205) 367-2006 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at least 24 hours ahead. Visiting runs weekdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., except holidays and court days. Each inmate lists three family members and one minister, and two can visit at a time. Visitors must be 18 or older, pass a background check, bring a photo ID, and have no incarceration history. Each inmate gets two 30-minute non-contact visits a month; visitors traveling more than 300 miles may be approved for an hour. Leave purses, phones, and keys in the car.
The jail accepts only pre-stamped postcards for personal mail. Send them to the inmate’s name and ID number at PO Box 226, Carrollton, AL 35447. Inmates can call out between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., for up to 15 minutes, using collect calls or Securus prepaid accounts ((800) 844-6591), and phone cards are sold in the sheriff’s lobby. Commissary care packs up to $125 can be ordered from Inmate Canteen.
No public bus runs in Carrollton, so plan to drive. B Mart 2 at 241 Reform Street and West Alabama Ag at 25661 AL-17 N sell gas, and for a quick meal there’s CFM Groceries & Deli at 88 Tuscaloosa Street and Pizza Doctor at 92 Old Aliceville Carrollton Road.
- Jail (Main): 205-367-2000
- Court: 205-367-2050
- Sheriff: 205-367-2000
- Visitation: 205-367-2006
What happens during booking at Pickens County Detention Facility?
After arrest, individuals are processed at Pickens County Detention Facility, where they undergo a series of steps that determine their charges and whether they’ll be released on their own recognizance, allowed to post bail, or held until their court date.
The first rule for anyone arrested is to remain silent. Anything they say can be used in court, so it’s best to speak only to an attorney about the incident.
Here are the typical stages of the booking process at Pickens County Detention Facility:
- Verifying the person’s identity.
- Taking mugshots.
- Questions regarding medical and mental health history, along with drug and gang affiliations.
- Collecting DNA if necessary.
- Conducting a physical search.
- Confiscating personal belongings.
- Providing a phone call.
If you need details about an offender’s bail or bond, contact the facility at 205-367-2000.
How do you post bail in Pickens County?
If someone is taken to Pickens County Detention Facility in Carrollton for booking, the next steps depend on their case:
1. The individual may be released without bail, under a promise to appear at a court hearing.
2. They could be held in custody until their trial.
3. They may post a bail or bond for release. To find out the exact bail amount, call 205-367-2000.
Bail payments can be handled in various ways.
- Cash bonds are paid in full, normally at the jail's bonding window or with the clerk of court, by cash, cashier's check or money order, and card payments are often possible through a kiosk in the lobby or an online vendor for a convenience fee; have the inmate's full name and booking number ready, and reach the jail at 205-367-2000.
- Licensed bail bond agents in Pickens County can facilitate payment.
- Property bonds are available in many courts: an owner may pledge land or a home after proving clear title and equity of at least the bond amount (often double) with the deed and a recent tax or appraisal figure, and the court that set bail decides whether to accept it.
For a comprehensive guide to the bail process in Pickens County, Alabama, visit the Pickens County Detention Facility Bail FAQ page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility? What is the Schedule?
Pickens County Detention Facility ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
188 Cemetery Street
Carrollton, AL 35447
205-367-2006
- Visits are 30 minutes.
- You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
- Call 205-367-2006 to make an appointment - Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Inmates are allowed two visits per month.
- A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per inmate.
- Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
- Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 205-367-2000 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!
| DAY | TIMES |
| MONDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens County Detention Facility
- 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 Pickens County Detention Facility’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-367-2000 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility?
Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens County Detention Facility
- 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 Pickens County Detention Facility’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-367-2000 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility?
Instructions on purchasing commissary items for an inmate:
NOTE: Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens County Detention Facility, 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: Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens County Detention Facility, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Pickens County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pickens County Detention Facility’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-367-2000 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility?
How Do Inmates in Pickens County Detention Facility Make Phone Calls?
To receive phone calls from inmates in Pickens County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:
- Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens 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 Pickens 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 Pickens County Detention Facility’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-367-2000 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility, and what can I send them?
Pickens County Detention Facility Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards
The Pickens County Detention Facility ONLY allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office unless noted otherwise.
- Minimum size: 3.5 Inches by 4.25 inches. Maximum size: 4.25 inches by 6 inches.
- Postcards mailed with a stamp will be rejected.
- It is best to only use blue or black ink.
- Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
Envelopes with personal letters are NOT allowed.
Postcards MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Pickens County Detention Facility
PO Box 226
Carrollton, AL 35447
(personal mail - white postcards only)
Legal Mail
Envelopes from an attorney or professionals related to an inmates case ARE allowed.
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Pickens County Detention Facility
PO Box 226
Carrollton, AL 35447
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
The Pickens County Detention Facility allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source 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 Pickens County Detention Facility standards will be disposed of.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Pickens County Detention Facility
PO Box 226
Carrollton, AL 35447
Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Pickens County Detention Facility 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. Due to drug smuggling, not all inmates are even allowed to receive mail in envelopes, as only certain types of postcards are allowed.
For complete information on mail policies and addresses, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pickens County Detention Facility’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-367-2000 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility, and what can I purchase?
Pickens County Detention Facility 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: Pickens County Detention Facility 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.
How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Pickens County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens County Detention Facility, 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.
For all information, tips and to see the hundreds of available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Pickens County Detention Facility, or to see how deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own commissary, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Pickens County.
Inmate Canteen Customer Service can be reached at 715-690-2965, or by email at support@inmatecanteen.com.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pickens County Detention Facility’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-367-2000 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Pickens County Detention Facility using an Online Messaging Service?
Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens County
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Pickens County Detention Facility follow these steps:
- Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in Pickens County, by creating an account.
- Select Alabama, then select Pickens County Detention Facility, 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 Pickens 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 Pickens County Detention Facility check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Pickens County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pickens County Detention Facility’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-367-2000 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Pickens County Detention Facility have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Pickens County Detention Facility 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
Pickens County Detention Facility 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 Pickens County Detention Facility’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 205-367-2000 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Pickens County?
The Pickens County Detention Facility serves the following cities and towns of Pickens County: Aliceville, Carrollton, Gordo and Reform.