DeKalb County AL Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at DeKalb Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 256-845-8565.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The DeKalb Co Jail is a detention center located at 2801 Jordan Rd SW Fort Payne, AL which is operated locally by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. DeKalb County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Fort Payne Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Alabama here.

The Corrections Division of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office is tasked with housing individuals awaiting trial, those being transferred to the Alabama Department of Corrections, or those sentenced to serve less than one year. The jail also holds inmates arrested by municipal police departments from various towns in the county, including Fort Payne, Fyffe, Sylvania, and others. In 2008, the county entered into a contract with the United States Marshal’s Office to house federal inmates, earning $47 per inmate per day, which directly supports the county's law enforcement budget.

The facility processes about 2,800 inmates annually and maintains an average population of 235. The staff of 46, led by Chief Jail Administrator David Smith, is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for both inmates and visitors. The detention center includes an on-site medical unit with a full-time registered nurse and a part-time doctor, Dr. Robert Theakston, who also holds law enforcement certification.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The facility features a law library, on-site video conferencing for court appearances, and video terminals for inmate visitation, which must be scheduled in advance. Each inmate is permitted three visitors per session, with each session lasting 30 minutes.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

In addition to housing inmates, the Sheriff's Office operates two inmate work crews and keeps a third on standby. These crews are responsible for cleaning DeKalb County roadways, collecting around 1,400 pounds of garbage daily, and maintaining county properties. The facility also runs a Work Release Program, allowing non-violent inmates to work for outside employers during the day and return to the jail in the evening.