Jail Information
Victim Information & Notification
Victim Information & Notification Everyday (VINE) can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide information for custody status changes and criminal case information. You can register via www.vinelink.com or call (877) 846-3425. If you need to be notified when someone is released, you must register with VINE. The Detention Facility staff does not make notification phone calls.
Attorney Visits
Attorneys can enter the Madison County Detention Facility to visit their clients. Attorney visits may be face-to-face or conducted via video visitation. Any other accommodations may be made with the authorization of the Jail administration. Attorneys may only visit current clients and businesses about the recent incarceration.
Attorneys must show a valid government-issued identification card and a valid Bar Card showing their ASB number before entering the Jail. Attorneys will not be granted access if their Bar Card is not up-to-date.
Bonding Information
There are three methods by which a bond can be posted for the release of an inmate from the Madison County Detention Facility:
- City of Huntsville: Misdemeanor bonds can be posted with the City of Huntsville magistrate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or by calling (256) 427-7817.
- City of Madison: Misdemeanor bonds can be posted with the City of Madison Magistrate Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, or by calling (256) 772-5617.
- Madison County: Misdemeanor and felony bonds can be posted with the District Court Clerk's Office Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, excluding holidays, on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse Room 200 or by calling (256) 532-3373. Bonds can also be paid online at www.alapay.com, www.cashbondonline.com, or by calling 1-888-726-6301
- Any local bonding company
NOTICE: The Madison County Sheriff's Office does NOT process any property bonds within Madison County or outside of Madison County.
Programs
- Adult Basic Education (ABE) / General Educational Development (GED)
- Substance Abuse Program (SAP)
- Narcotics Anonymous Meetings
- Alcohol Anonymous Meetings
- Anger Management
- Transition Skills
- Life Light (Juvenile Mentoring/Tutoring Program)
Programs are available based on openings, classification, and disciplinary history. These factors are taken into consideration before placement in any program. Some programs have associated fees. The program’s coordinator will interview an inmate before he or she can be placed in any program.
Jail Ministry / Church Services
The Jail Ministry Program offers religious services. Jail ministry visits are conducted:
- Thursdays, 7:30 pm - 9 pm
- Saturdays, 1 pm - 3 pm
- Sundays, 1 pm - 3 pm
A jail minister may not minister to any specific inmate. Suppose an inmate wishes for their minister, religious leader, clergy, pastor, etc., to conduct ministry and is not on the jail ministry’s list. In that case, that inmate must add that individual to their visitation list as a visitor, and the visitation falls under standard Inmate Visitation. Baptisms are offered via jail ministry.
Inmate Mail and Mail Regulations
The Madison County Sheriff's Detention Facility digitizes all incoming personal mail for all county inmates. All correspondence, including letters, cards, photographs, (etc.), upon being received by jail staff, will be scanned into the commissary system and delivered to the inmates in digital form only. Inmates will access their mail through the kiosk inside the housing areas. After the mail is scanned and returned to the inmates digitally, the Madison County Detention Facility will retain all personal mail items for seven (7) days from receiving it.
All Inmates will be allowed to designate a person(s) who can retrieve the original mail from the Facility during this prescribed time (if they choose). All items of mail not recovered during the seven days will be discarded. Books and periodicals will not be affected by this change. Per current procedures, books and journals will be delivered to the inmates provided they are shipped directly from the publisher.
To send mail to an inmate:
Inmate First and Last Name is needed, as well as
Inmate Booking #, which is found below their name on this website.
Click Inmates, Current Inmates, then Search.
ALL incoming and outgoing inmate mail is subject to search. All incoming and outgoing mail must be properly addressed. Inmate's name, Madison County Jail MNI number, and address are all REQUIRED on all mail, or it will be returned to sender. A valid return address is required on all incoming mail; if no return address is provided, the incoming mail will be disposed of properly.
Reading Materials:
Inmates are allowed to keep the following reading materials in their possession at one time. They will not be allowed to have excess reading materials in their cell.
- 1 - Books
- 1 - Magazines
- 3 - newspapers
- 1 - Bible or Koran
Reading materials must be received directly from a publisher or bookstore. Books, magazines, or newspapers from any other source will not be delivered. If an inmate has more reading material than what is allowed, it will be considered contraband and be disposed of properly.
The Following Items are not allowed to be received via the Mail:
- Stickers and labels are strictly prohibited from all incoming and outgoing mail.
- Excluding the addresses on the front of the envelope, no other writings, doodling, or drawings are allowed on incoming and outgoing mail envelopes.
- Holiday/Greeting/Birthday cards are accepted if the card does not contain music/vocalizations or any device that utilizes any power source. Cards can not have metal (including glitter), plastic, rope, or rigid material. Cards are not to be folded in any way that could hide contraband or be more significant than 9 X 12 inches.
- Any items available in the store (pens, paper, stamps, etc.) will not be accepted through the mail.
- Pictures must be no larger than 4x6; mounted, framed, or Polaroid pictures are prohibited—no photographs exhibiting lewd, sexual, criminal behavior, or gang-related behavior or writings. Photographs displaying genitals or exposed breasts are not authorized. No photos of inmates in jail or prison. No pictures of large sums of money or any other activity that may appear to be illegal. Pictures of children must be fully clothed.
- Reproductions of information protected by copyright law are forbidden.
- Incoming correspondence incorrectly labeled or sent without the benefit of a return address.
- Any currency, checks, drafts, money orders, phone cards, or any forms of barter are not authorized.
- No social security cards, driver's licenses, birth certificates, or other forms of identification are authorized and are subject to destruction if mailed to an inmate.
- A mainstream publisher may send books or bookstores only (i.e., Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes and Noble). These books must be in new condition. Inmates will be limited to one (1) book in their possession at any given time. All texts must be softback -no hardcover publications are allowed.
- No personal package of any type will be accepted.
- The ONLY certified, priority, or express mail that will be accepted will be from an attorney or court.
- Anything that depicts or describes procedures for constructing weapons, ammunition, bombs, chemical agents, or incendiary devices.
- Any mail that contains materials that threaten physical harm, blackmail, or extortion.
- Any "stained" or "perfumed" mail will be returned to the sender or destroyed.
- Lipstick, lip gloss, crayons, markers, stickers, tape, corrective tape (white out), glitter pens, glue or paint are prohibited.
- Maps and laminated materials are prohibited.
- No bubble-wrapped envelopes will be accepted.
- Any materials or publications from or about persons or groups who advocate the restricting of the rights of others.
- Any materials considered insightful or inflammatory that pose a risk to the facility's safety and security.
No inmate-to-inmate mail is allowed unless authorized by the Administration of both facilities.
Funeral Viewing
The Madison County Detention Facility will exercise every opportunity to allow inmates to attend a funeral viewing of family members. While the need for closure is understood, specific interests of the Madison County Detention Facility may preclude inmates from attending the viewing of deceased relatives.
The following provides an outline of who is eligible and who is restricted from attending viewing services:
- Viewing attendance by inmates will only be for immediate family members—defined as the inmate's mother, father, siblings, grandparents, and children (natural or adopted).
- The viewing must be local, within Madison County, AL.
- The viewing will be without any family members or friends present. Should anyone be present other than the funeral home staff, the visitation will be terminated, and the inmate will be returned to the facility.
- Viewing will last no longer than twenty (20) minutes.
- The inmate cannot be charged with a violent crime.
- The bond amount will be taken into consideration by the Jail Administration.
- The inmate must not be charged with trafficking or manufacturing narcotics.
- The Jail Administration will consider the inmate’s criminal history and classification.
- Jail Administration will review documented disciplinary history, making that inmate a potential risk of escape, becoming disruptive, or uncooperative with orders.
- Suppose an inmate has no history of escape or failure to return. In that case, a family member must contact the Jail Supervisor at (256) 519-4802 to provide information about an inmate attending funeral viewing services. Jail Administration reserves the right to deny any of the above conditions and what is in the best interest of the safety and security of the inmate, staff, or facility.
Jail Property / Personal Property
Inmates booked into the Madison County Detention Facility will have all their personal effects inventoried and stored.
We will not accept the property of inmates other than pocket contents and the seasonal clothing the inmate is wearing. No extra clothes, baggage, suitcases, sea bags, tents, or big storage bags will be accepted. Females may have a standard-size purse.
Madison County Detention Facility stores inmate property for only 30 days. Any personal property held for 30 days will be disposed of and donated to a local charity. The inmate is responsible for contacting a reliable individual to obtain his/her personal property. Family members may pick up the property of housed inmates seven (7) days a week, 24 hours a day, by coming to the detention facility at 815 Wheeler Ave. Any person attempting to pick up property must have a valid form of photo identification.
Exceptions to disposal are as follows:
- Wallet and contents
- Keys
- Cellular phone
- Jewelry
- Identification
- Legal Documents
- Purse and contents
These items will be maintained in storage (inmate’s property bag) for housed inmates until release. Relatives of inmates being released from jail may bring clothing to the facility's lobby for the inmate to change into once the inmate is released. The individual can change clothes in the restrooms located in the lobby area. Civilian clothing for inmates going to court (jury trial only) will be accepted at the jail’s Central Control area Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. A contact person’s name and telephone number must accompany the property, and once the inmate’s court case has ended, the clothing must be picked up within ten business days from the Central Control area. Failure to pick up clothes within ten business days will result in clothes being donated to a local charity.
State-sentenced inmates who have been ordered to the Department of Corrections may take ONLY the following to Kilby Correctional:
- Any legal mail
- White commissary shoes
- Ten pictures
- Five stamps
- Five envelopes
All other materials and personal effects will be placed in storage. Inmates will wear jail shower shoes during transport. Family members will pick up all personal effects left within 14 days from departure. Items left past the 14-day deadline will be donated to local charities. State inmates returning for court will be allowed to keep their undergarments, socks, and hygiene items ONLY. All other items will be placed on the property.
If you have any questions, please call 256-519-4800
Inmate Commissary
Funds can be applied to an inmate account via the kiosk in the Lobby (cash, debit/credit card), online at www.accesscorrections.com, Access Corrections mobile app, via phone 866-345-1884, or at a participating walk-in retailer. Information for walk-in retailers can be found at www.cashpaytoday.com. Money Orders are not accepted!
Handling Charge Structure for Deposit Services
Commissary orders must be placed before the end of the day on Monday to be delivered on Wednesday. Monday Snack Packs orders must be placed before the end of the day on Sunday, and Friday snack pack orders must be placed before the end of the day on Thursday.
Keefe offers friends and family the opportunity to order items for their incarcerated loved ones through www.alabamapackages.com. There is a weekly maximum order limit of $50.00 per inmate.
A released inmate can pick up their remaining funds at the Pistol Permit Office, 603 Fiber Street, Huntsville, AL 35801, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Valid identification is required.
Any order placed before an inmate's release will be held for five (5) business days. The purchased items can be picked up at the Keefe Commissary Office, Room 120 in the main facility, Monday through Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays. If the order is not picked up, it becomes the property of the MCDF; purchased items cannot be transferred to another inmate.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.
Secure Electronic Messaging
Secure Electronic Messaging is a way for family and friends to communicate with their loved ones incarcerated in the Madison County Detention Facility. Inmates can send an automated invitation to a recipient to begin messaging. The public cannot initiate messaging; an inmate must send an invitation. Messages can be purchased for $0.25 each. Inmate messages will be deducted from their commissary account. No pictures/attachments are allowed.
All messages are subject to review by facility staff. If inmates abuse the messaging system, they can be restricted from using it at the discretion of facility staff. Family/friends may also be blocked from using the system at the facility's discretion. NO REFUNDS will be given for any reason.
Request for the Release of Funds
The Madison County Detention Facility understands that, on occasion, those persons committed to the facility may need to release funds in their name in a commissary fund. As such, the Madison County Detention Facility inmates may submit this form to facilitate the release of held funds. This action is authorized once and within the first 60 days of detention. Funds will be released at the Pistol Permit Office, 603 Fiber Street, Huntsville, AL 35801, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Inmate Visitation
Inmates must be incarcerated 30 days before visitation is allowed. All visits are conducted remotely and are subject to monitoring and recording. Visitation appointments can be scheduled online at www.ncic.com up to 48 hours before the holiday. Visitation appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Inmates are allowed up to three visits a day. If you are late for a visit you will only receive the remaining duration of the scheduled visit.
Facility Visitation Schedule:
Housing 1 Unit A - E Wednesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
Housing 2 Units F - K Wednesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
Medical Wednesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
L-Floor Mondays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
M-Floor Tuesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
N-Floor Thursdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
P-Floor Mondays 8:00 am -2:30 pm*
*No visits are scheduled between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
If an inmate's housing location changes and there is no available appointment for the new housing location, the system will automatically cancel the visit.
Visitors must create an account at www.ncic.com. All accounts must be approved before the first visit is conducted. A clear image of a government-issued identification card is required for account approval.
The remote visitation costs $0.38 per minute—the visitor funds remote visitation.
Visitation schedule adjustment may be adjusted without prior notice for the safety and security of the Facility.
The Facility enables facial detection for all visitors. The inmate will only see a gray screen when a visitor's face is undetected. The Madison County Detention Facility reserves the right to terminate, suspend, or cancel visitation for the safety and security of the facility and visitors at any time without notice. Visitors who act inappropriately may be suspended from visitations.
Food Service
Summit is the food service provider. They were approved through the Madison County Commission.
Healthcare
The Madison County Detention Facility, its staff, and contractors Southern Health Partners will not discuss an inmate’s healthcare with any family or friends due to HIPPA laws. Southern Health Partners were approved through the Madison County Commission.
Medication Drop-off
Medications, eyeglasses, contacts, and other approved medical items can be dropped off or picked up from the Facility Monday – Sunday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm. All items must be approved by Medical personnel and Jail Administration; all objects are subject to search.
Court Information
Plea by Information:
Inmates who wish to plead guilty or "plea by information" must contact their attorney of record. If an inmate has not yet been appointed an attorney, the inmate must wait until an attorney is appointed.
Change of Plea:
All changes of pleas must be handwritten and addressed to the specific court for your case.
72 Hour Hearing:
When booked into the Madison County Detention Facility, the arresting agency may be required to obtain felony warrants through the Madison County Magistrate Office. This process may take up to 48 hours. Once the contract has been received, the inmate will be afforded a 72-hour hearing to be notified of their charges and bond. Only cases in district court will be afforded this type of hearing.
City Inmates: Huntsville/ Madison City Inmates:
If arrested and charged through the City of Huntsville, you must contact the City Magistrate in the front lobby of the jail or call (256) 427-7817 to obtain bonding information. Once booked into the jail, the inmate will go to City court the next business day if he/she does not bond out. If you bond, the magistrate will inform you of your appearance date.
The City of Madison inmates must contact the City of Madison Municipal Court at (256) 772-5617 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Madison City court is on Tuesdays at the jail or Thursdays at the Madison City Municipal building, depending on the charges.
Inmates sentenced by the Municipal Court have fourteen (14) days to file an appeal. This appeal must be handwritten and mailed to the Municipal Court.
Release Dates:
The Madison County Detention Facility does not determine release dates or provide this information to the public.
Inmate Telephones
NCIC Inmate Communications is the Facility's inmate telephone provider
Calling Rates (Per-Minute)
| Call Type | Inmate Pre-Paid | Pre-Paid Collect |
| Local | $0.16 | $0.16 |
| In-State | $0.16 | $0.16 |
| Out-Of-State | $0.16 | $0.16 |
| Mexico | $0.25 | $0.25 |
| International | $0.35 | $0.35 |
To create and fund Pre-Paid Collect accounts, please visit NCIC Inmate Communication's website at https://account.ncic.com (Para Espanol, https://cuenta.ncic.com ) or call our call center at 1-800-943-2189.
Regardless of location, all Madison County Detention Facility phone calls will be collected, pre-paid, or credit card calls. Phone calls from the booking area are free. All calls are subject to monitoring and recording. Inmates will be provided PINs to make phone calls. The Madison County Detention Facility reserves the right to block phone numbers due to misuse of the phone system (i.e., three-way calling), discussion of criminal activity, or based upon the security and safety of the facility. Any attempt to provide three-way connections will result in permanent deactivation of the called number attempting to facilitate the three-way connection and disciplinary action on the inmate involved.
Inmates can receive incoming voicemail messages from Friends and families with prepaid accounts. Voicemails are limited to three (3) minutes and charged at a flat rate of $1.50 per message. Inmate voicemails are subject to the same security and monitoring standards as all other inmate calls.
If you receive an unwanted phone call from an inmate, you can refuse the call or block all calls from the facility from the prompts played during the recording, or for assistance blocking your phone number, you can speak with an NCIC agent at 800-943-2189.
Inmate Visitation
Inmates must be incarcerated 30 days before visitation is allowed. All visits are conducted remotely and are subject to monitoring and/or recording. Visitation appointments can be scheduled online at www.ncic.com up to 48 hours before the holiday. Visitation appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Inmates are allowed up to three visits a day. If you are late for a visit you will only receive the remaining duration of the scheduled visit.
Facility Visitation Schedule:
Housing 1 Unit A - E Wednesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
Housing 2 Units F - K Wednesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
Medical Wednesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
L-Floor Mondays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
M-Floor Tuesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
N-Floor Thursdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm*
P-Floor Mondays 8:00 am -2:30 pm*
*No visits are scheduled between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
If an inmate's housing location changes and there is no available appointment for the new housing location, the system will automatically cancel the visit.
Visitors must create an account at www.ncic.com. All accounts must be approved before the first visit is conducted. A clear image of a government-issued identification card is required for account approval.
The remote visitation costs $0.38 per minute—the visitor funds remote visitation.
Visitation schedule adjustment may be adjusted without prior notice for the safety and security of the Facility.
The Facility enables facial detection for all visitors. The inmate will only see a gray screen when a visitor's face is undetected. The Madison County Detention Facility reserves the right to terminate, suspend, or cancel visitation for the safety and security of the facility and visitors at any time without notice. Visitors who act inappropriately may be suspended from visitations.
Release Dates
The Madison County jail does not determine release dates or provide this information to the public.
Madison County Detention Facility Addresses
Physical Address:
815 Wheeler Ave
Huntsville, AL 35801
Mailing Address:
PO Box 2047
Huntsville, AL 35804
Madison County Detention Facility Phone Numbers
Main Line (256) 519-4800
Administration (256) 519-4839
Administration Fax (256) 519-4840
Comments, Complaints and Questions