Tuscaloosa County Jail

With a capacity of 547 beds, Tuscaloosa County Jail basically serves as a pretrial holding facility that houses inmates at both minimum and maximum security for misdemeanors. This facility is located at 1600 26th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and is operated by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Receiving accreditation from the American Correctional Association on August 5, 2002, makes Tuscaloosa the first and only county prison to receive accreditation in the state of Alabama. Well, there are so many interesting facts you can know about Tuscaloosa County Jail. Let’s find out below!

What is the Tuscaloosa County Jail?

Tuscaloosa County Jail was opened in 1972 and is arranged on 11 sections of land in metropolitan Tuscaloosa. This facility definitely accepts prisoners who are arrested by Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Department deputies, federal agencies, and the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

Tuscaloosa County Jail accommodates pre-preliminary prisoners who are awaiting their court dates or are accused of misdemeanor delinquencies and cannot make bail. Regardless of the capacity, this facility also provides reintegration programming for convicted male criminals.

Tuscaloosa County Jail receives an average of 77 total bookings per month. Reportedly, this facility utilizes over 273 inmates in its in-office work lines in an average year to offer help administrations for its clothing, kitchen, and different activities.

Supervised by 63 staff members, they are responsible for working the Tuscaloosa County Work Leave Center (WFC), which is located a traffic light away from the prison. Chief Deputy Loyd Baker, Captain Kenny Abrams, and Lt. Jeremy McCracken are the notable prison officers who oversee this operation.

The current sheriff of the Tuscaloosa County Jail is Ron Abernathy, who has been a law enforcement officer since being hired by Sheriff Beasor Walker in 1988. He was elected sheriff and started his tenure in January 2015, leading about 215 employees.

How Does Tuscaloosa County Jail Maintain Security in Prison?

To maintain safety and security in prison, Tuscaloosa County Jail has designed multiple security measures, including:

• The facility constructs physical barriers such as fences, walls, and locked doors.
• Surveillance systems are built like video cameras.
• The facility consistently controls inmates’ movements.
• Facility staff regularly do routine searches of inmates and their living quarters.
• Facility staff maintain a continuous monitoring system and respond to anything that happens in prison.
• The facility actually sets the categories of offenders.

In addition, Tuscaloosa County Jail also assigns staff to:

• Supervise the activities of inmates and maintain order.
• Enforce jail rules and regulations.
• Respond to every incident or emergency in prison.
• Perform searches for contraband.
• Provide services to inmates, such as visitations and meal services.

What Are the Facilities in Tuscaloosa County Jail?

Since being opened, the Tuscaloosa County Jail has continued to develop and add several modern facilities. The kitchen, medical and dental, and technology are among them. The renovation of the old Metro facility, which is now part of the Tuscaloosa County Jail, cost approximately $8.2 million.

The building of the old Metro jail will be torn down to build a new state-of-the art facility while making way for a larger facility with a medical and psychiatric division. Then, the inmates can begin occupying the new facility after the utilities are connected.

When it comes to the prison electronic system, the Tuscaloosa County Jail currently provides the “Video Visitation” feature. It allows inmates to receive a visit via video within their cells. This feature actually cuts down on movements in the prison, so it creates a safer environment for the staff.

Their family and friends can add funds to inmates’ commissary accounts with cash via a kiosk that can be found in the lobby of the Tuscaloosa County Jail. It can also be done through money orders that can be put in the envelopes provided in the jail lobby. In addition, funds can also be deposited through an online portal called Inmate Canteen, which you can access here: team3.inmatecanteen.com

What Are the Kinds of Services for Inmates at Tuscaloosa County Jail?

Tuscaloosa County Jail provides various services for inmates, and these aim to make them better while living in prison. Here they are:

1. Food Services

Tuscaloosa County Jail lists Summit Food Service as an approved inmate food service provider. Inmates can get three meals per day during a 24-hour period. To receive their meals, inmates should line up against the wall and wear the required uniform.

Inmates will be required to return their food trays after meals. Anyone who is caught taking more than one tray or damaging food service items will be subject to disciplinary action. Inmates who have special diets can get meals as prescribed by the prison medical staff.

2. Laundry Service

Inmates can also receive laundry service, whose schedule can be changed at any time. They must have laundry ready on time at the designated area.

3. Health Care

Just like other facilities, Tuscaloosa County Jail also provides health care for all inmates 24/7 for emergencies and on a regular schedule for non-emergencies. Inmates need to submit a request first for a medical evaluation. Sick calls can be conducted by a licensed nurse. If they want to meet a doctor, the nurse should prefer you.

The cost to receive medical care at Tuscaloosa County Jail will vary, i.e., $25 for each visit, $20 for each prescription, and $20 for all prescriptions together. Well, there will be a fee for non-prescribed medications, and of course the prices will differ for other items.

The following are medical services that inmates can receive:

• Admitting physical screening
• Admitting to dental screening
• Medical emergencies (It will be determined by medical staff.)
• Mental health screening

Other medical services that require inmates to pay:

• Dentist visits
• Doctor visits
• Sick call
• Prescription medication
• Over-the-counter medication (laxatives, Tylenol, etc.)

Additionally, female inmates can also receive pregnancy services where they can undergo pregnancy testing, management of chemical addiction, routine and high-risk prenatal care, appropriate nutrition, comprehensive counselling and assistance, and postpartum follow-ups.

4. Mental Health Care

In addition to receiving medical care, inmates who are suffering from mental health issues can also receive mental health care. Just like when getting medical care, inmates must also complete the “Medical Request” form on the tablet or dorm kiosk.

If an inmate’s request is an emergency, inmates have to inform prison staff of it. If inmates do not have access to a kiosk, they have to ask an officer or medical staff for a paper form.

5. Religious Services

At Tuscaloosa County Jail, inmates will also have the chance to participate in religious practices. Inmates are also allowed to have a new, unopened religious book, such as the Holy Bible, Quran, or Torah. They can also access their religious texts on tablets.

If inmates want to meet a particular community minister, they can contact that minister and request that they make arrangements with the jail. Of course, all clergy visits should be approved by the Chief Jail Administrator.

6. Inmate Marriage

Interestingly! Tuscaloosa County Jail will provide an easy way for inmates who want to get married. It is conducted in accordance with the Supreme Court of the United States, which states that marriage is a fundamental right that is not lost by incarceration.

However, like many other rights, the right to marry remains subject to restrictions during detention, whereby a prisoner will not be permitted to marry another prisoner. They are instead allowed to wed a non-incarcerated individual.

7. Notary Services

Inmates can get notary services for free upon request. However, only items regarding your legal case can be approved for notarization. Of course, requests for this service should be submitted on an inmate request form, which they can obtain from an on-duty post rover.

Well, those are some services that are available for inmates at Tuscaloosa County Jail. Of course, there are still services that inmates will get, such as court attire, court appearances, etc.

What Are the Programs Available for Inmates at Tuscaloosa County Jail?

Tuscaloosa County Jail offers an Inmate Worker Program for inmates who are interested in becoming workers at prison. They can get an application from any on-duty post rover. Inmates who are eligible are those who are considered low security risks and demonstrate a promise of good behavior.

Prior to becoming a prison worker, inmates need to sign a contract with guidance on what they have to agree to. Of course, all inmates will be eligible for this program, except those in the following categories:

• Maximum-security inmates
• Escape-risk inmates
• Suicidal inmates
• Violent inmates
• Parole violators
• Federal and immigration inmates
• Inmates with major medical problems and serious mental problems
• Inmates with “no bond” and with bonds more than $50,000
• Inmates charged with crimes of violence

Visiting Hours

Tuscaloosa County Jail definitely sets the allowed time for visitors. Well, visiting this facility can be done seven days per week. And, the call can be performed between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. the day prior to when you want to visit your loved one in prison.

Here are the visiting hours at Tuscaloosa County Jail!

Days	Time
Sunday	9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

Rules and Regulations for Visiting Inmates

If you want to visit your loved one at Tuscaloosa County Jail, you definitely need to meet some visiting rules and regulations. Here they are:

• You can only visit inmates once a week. It can start on Sunday and only has two people per visit.
• You must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list.
• You must be at least 16 years old. If you’re under 16, you should be accompanied by an adult with valid identification.
• You should check in at the front desk after arriving for a scheduled visitation, no later than 15 minutes.
• You shouldn’t bring bags, purses, or cell phones to the facility.
• You shouldn’t wear inappropriate clothing such as shorts, short skirts, sleeveless shirts, low-cut tops, low-cut jeans,
• You shouldn’t give money to an inmate, and funds can only be deposited online into the inmate’s account.
• If you’re caught violating all the rules and regulations that have been set, then you may lose your visiting privileges for a period determined by the Chief Jail Administrator.

Tuscaloosa County Jail Contact information

You can find further information about Tuscaloosa County Jail via:

• Phone: 205-752-0616
• Fax: 205-349-0973
• Official Website: www.tcsoal.org

Physical Address

You can visit your loved one in person at:

Tuscaloosa County Jail
1600 26th Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401

Inmate Mailing Address

If you prefer to send them a mail, you can also deliver it to:

Inmate’s Full Name, Inmate ID Number
Tuscaloosa County Jail
1600 26th Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401