Washington County Jail
Washington County Jail
For inmate information at any hour of the day or night, call the 80-bed Washington County Jail at 251-847-2202.
When someone is arrested in this county for a misdemeanor or felony, they are taken to this jail for booking and processing. If the charges call for it, they stay here until they post bond, are released on their own recognizance, or are ordered held until their trial is resolved.
To see who is currently being held, check the facility’s roster with the inmate search tool.
A sentence of less than one year is served here in the county jail. Anyone sentenced to more than a year is sent to the Alabama State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
On this page you’ll find how to search the official jail roster, directions to the jail, and details on inmate services, including the visitation schedule and rules, putting money on an inmate’s account, sending letters, inmate phone calls, voicemail, email and text messaging, tablet rentals, posting bail, and ordering commissary.
Write down the inmate’s booking number or jail ID as soon as you find it, since you’ll often need it to send mail or set up communication. If it isn’t listed online, call Washington County Jail at 251-847-2202 and ask for it.
Inmate Services
Other Jails and Prisons
Want to look up an inmate at the Washington County Jail? The Official Jail Inmate Roster shows their criminal charges, bond amount, visitation eligibility, and in many cases their mugshot. You can also call the jail at 251-847-2202 for the information you need. If you need specific court information for a criminal case in Alabama, use the Alacourt ACCESS V2.0 Portal.
Washington County Jail Inmate Search
Our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers explain:
- How to search for an inmate in the Washington County Jail
- How the jail roster works
- What happens after an arrest and booking
Still have questions? Call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
The Washington County Jail is licensed to hold 80 inmates at a time, but it often has to make room for more, especially on weekends. At most city and county jails, at least 40% of the inmate population turns over 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 a year are usually facing serious charges such as rape or murder. Because those cases take so long to prepare for trial, offenders arrested in Washington County on such charges remain in custody at the Washington County facility much longer.
Each year, Washington County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 2,200 offenders.
The Washington County Jail is a small, medium-security jail at 45 Court Street in Chatom, run by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. It opened in 1989 and holds about 80 people, from those charged with misdemeanors to those facing serious felonies. Sentences of less than a year can be served here; longer ones go to state prison. About 40 inmates work in the kitchen, the laundry, or on roadside trash crews. For the jail, call (251) 847-2202.
The sheriff posts a “Who’s in Jail” list at washcoso.com, or you can call the jail. Within 72 hours of arrest, and without unnecessary delay, the person must see a judge (Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 4.3). Washington County is in the 1st Judicial Circuit with Choctaw and Clarke counties. Look up cases on Alacourt, and if there’s a warrant, contact the sheriff’s office or a lawyer before turning yourself in.
Bail can be posted in cash, by credit card or money order, with county property, or through a licensed bondsman; the jail can give you the amount by phone. Some people are released on personal recognizance or an unsecured appearance bond. Alabama guarantees bail to most defendants, but capital charges can be held without bail when proof is evident or the presumption great. After a hearing, Aniah’s Law (2022) allows detention without bail 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 added solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder and shooting into an occupied building or vehicle (Amendment 1, 81.6% yes). Rule 7.2’s schedule, which judges can go above or below, suggests $10,000–$60,000 for a Class A felony, $5,000–$30,000 for Class B, $300–$6,000 for a Class A misdemeanor, and $1,000–$7,500 for DUI.
In-person visiting is Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Book it by calling the jail on Monday or Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Visits last 15 minutes, once a week, with no more than two guests, and you must be on the inmate’s visitor list and bring a government photo ID. Dress conservatively. Remote video visits go through Inmate Sales at inmatesales.com. No public transportation reaches Chatom, so visitors drive. Exxon at 17050 Jordan Street and Marathon at 13426 St. Stephens Avenue sell gas. Subway at 100 St. Stephens Avenue and Bertiles Restaurant at 13423 St. Stephens Avenue serve quick meals.
Send mail to the person’s full name and ID number, Washington County Jail, P.O. Box 307, Chatom, AL 36518. Blank paper, photos, and anything showing violence, sex, or gang ties will be rejected. Money goes on the books through CorrectPay: online at correctpay.com, by phone at (855) 836-3364, through the app, or at the kiosk. Inmates order commissary from Kellwell once a week. Inmate Sales ((877) 998-5678) provides calls, which are daytime only and limited to 15 minutes, as well as text messages and tablets.
- Jail (Main): 251-847-2202
- Chatom Police: 251-847-2117
- Court: 251-847-2239
- Sheriff: 251-847-2202
The booking procedure at Washington County Jail
After an arrest, individuals are taken to Washington County Jail 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 Washington County Jail includes the following steps:
- Personal identification confirmation.
- Mugshots for record-keeping.
- Answering health-related questions and inquiries about criminal history.
- DNA collection may be required.
- Conducting a thorough body search.
- Securing personal belongings.
- Providing a phone call.
For questions about an arrestee’s bond or bail, contact the facility at 251-847-2202.
How to handle bail after an arrest in Washington County
If someone has been booked at Washington County Jail in Chatom, 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 251-847-2202.
There are a variety of payment methods available for bail.
- The usual way to post a cash bond is to pay the full amount at the jail bonding window or the clerk of court by cash, cashier's check or money order; many jails also offer card payment through a lobby kiosk or online bond vendor for a fee, and you should bring the inmate's full name and booking number (call 251-847-2202 for the jail).
- Assistance is available from licensed bail bond companies in Washington County.
- Real property bonds are accepted in many courts: an owner may offer land or a home after showing clear title and equity of at least the bond, often double, with a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value, and the court that set bail approves it.
For a full guide to the bail process in Washington County, Alabama, visit the Washington County Jail Bail Information Page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Washington County Jail? What is the Schedule?
Washington County Jail ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
45 Court Street
Chatom, AL 36518
251-847-2202
- Visits are 15 minutes.
- You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
- Call 251-847-2202 on Monday or Tuesday between 8:00AM and 4:00PM to make an appointment to visit.
- Inmates are allowed one visit per week.
- 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 251-847-2202 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!
| DAY | TIMES |
| WEDNESDAY | 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Washington County Jail?
Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Washington County Jail?
You can deposit money four different ways:
- Deposit at correctpay.com.
- Ask the jail whether it has a Correct Pay lobby kiosk for deposits.
- Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
- Deposit using the iOS or Android app.
correctpay.com Assistance:
24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Washington County
To send commissary money to an inmate in Washington County Jail follow these steps:
- Register with correctpay by creating an account.
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- Select Alabama, then select Washington County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
- Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.
- You can deposit money four ways:
- Deposit online at correctpay.com.
- Ask the jail whether it has a Correct Pay lobby kiosk for deposits.
- Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
- Deposit through their iOS or Android app.
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account, what the fees are, how long it takes to hit their account and more, check out our full money and commissary guide for Washington County Jail.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Washington County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Washington County Jail?
How Do Inmates in Washington County Jail Make Phone Calls?
To receive phone calls from inmates in Washington County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:
- Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Washington County Jail, and what can I send them?
Washington County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards
Ask the Washington County Jail whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Washington 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 #
Washington County Jail
P. O. Box 307
Chatom, Alabama 36518
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Washington County Jail
P. O. Box 307
Chatom, Alabama 36518
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 Washington 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 Washington County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Washington County Jail whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Washington County Jail
P. O. Box 307
Chatom, Alabama 36518
Washington County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Washington 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 Washington County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Washington County Jail
P. O. Box 307
Chatom, Alabama 36518
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 Washington County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Washington County Jail, and what can I purchase?
Purchasing a Washington County Jail Inmate Commissary
Washington County Jail allows inmates to purchase commissary, which is a jail affiliated store that sells snacks, hygiene products, stationary, clothing and even e-cigs and nicotine pouches (where allowed).
You can buy commissary for an inmate using an online service called Kellwell Commissary.
These items can be purchased once a week.
This amount you can spend each week is set by the facility. Call 251-847-2202 in order to confirm the amount that cannot be exceeded.
Inmates have access to commissary packages that can be purchased and shipped to the inmate by friends and family.
You can also go to our Inmate Money page for information on how to send money to an inmate.
How to Send Commissary Money to an Inmate in Washington County
To send commissary money to an inmate's account in Washington County Jail follow these steps:
You can deposit money four different ways:
- Deposit online at correctpay.com.
- Ask the jail whether it has a Correct Pay lobby kiosk for deposits.
- Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
- Deposit through their iOS or Android app.
24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions
For all information, tips and available items for send money and for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Washington County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Washington County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Washington County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Washington County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Washington 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 Washington County
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Washington County Jail follow these steps:
- Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in Washington County, by creating an account.
- Select Alabama, then select Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Washington County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Washington County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Washington County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Washington 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
Washington 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 Washington County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 251-847-2202 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other City and County Jails in Washington County?
Washington County County Jails
Washington County Juvenile Facilities
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Washington County?
The Washington County Jail serves the following cities and towns of Washington County: Chatom, Citronelle, Leroy, McIntosh and Millry.