Lee County Public Records /Lee County Inmate Search

Lee County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Lee County?

Inmate records in Lee County, Alabama, are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and the Lee County Sheriff's Office to document individuals who are or have been held in custody within the county's detention system. These records are distinct from court records: while the court system maintains case files, dockets, and judicial orders related to criminal proceedings, the jail and correctional facilities maintain custody records that track an individual's physical detention status, movement, and administrative history within the facility.

The record creation process begins at booking and intake, the moment an individual is processed into custody. At that point, facility staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record physical descriptors, and capture a booking photograph. Records are continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and program participation. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public records laws.

Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, members of the public are entitled to inspect and copy public writings maintained by government agencies, which includes custody and booking records held by county sheriff's offices and detention facilities.

Lee County Sheriff's Office 100 Percent Circle, Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 749-5651 Lee County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Lee County?

Inmate records maintained by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Lee County Detention Center are generally considered public records under Alabama law. Pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, all public writings of every description are open to inspection by any citizen of Alabama, unless a specific exemption applies. This broad public access mandate covers the majority of booking and custody records held by county detention facilities.

The following categories of information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Lee County Detention Center
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake processing
Charges filed — the specific criminal charges for which the individual is being held
Mugshots (booking photographs) — captured at the time of intake
Bond and bail amounts — the financial conditions set for release
Expected release dates — where available and not restricted by court order
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is assigned

Certain records may be withheld where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a witness, or where a court has issued a sealing order. Juvenile records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Alabama law and are generally not publicly accessible.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Lee County

Inmate records maintained by Lee County correctional facilities contain a comprehensive set of data fields compiled from the point of booking through release. The following breakdown reflects the standard categories of information included in a complete custody record.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Race, sex, height, weight, and eye color
Social Security Number (restricted from public disclosure)
Booking photograph (mugshot)

Custody Information:

Booking date and time
Arresting agency
Current housing assignment and facility location
Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, hold)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges and applicable Alabama Code sections
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Arresting offense narrative

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Case number and assigned court
Next scheduled court date
Presiding judge

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length and start date
Credit for time served
Projected release date

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
Transferring agency, if applicable

Lee County Prison System

Lee County operates a local detention system designed primarily to house individuals awaiting trial and those serving sentences of typically one year or less for misdemeanor or lower-level felony convictions. The county jail system is administered by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and is distinct from the Alabama state prison system, which is managed by the Alabama Department of Corrections and houses individuals convicted of more serious felonies serving longer sentences.

Individuals sentenced to more than one year of incarceration are generally transferred to a state correctional facility following conviction. The Lee County Detention Center serves as the primary point of intake for all individuals arrested within the county, regardless of the ultimate disposition of their case.

Lee County Sheriff's Office / Lee County Detention Center 100 Percent Circle, Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 749-5651 Lee County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Types of Correctional Facilities In Lee County

Lee County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facilities:

Lee County Detention Center 100 Percent Circle, Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 749-5651 Lee County Sheriff's Office The Lee County Detention Center is the primary county jail facility, operated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. It houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving short-term sentences, and individuals held on immigration or other agency detainers.

Opelika City Jail Operated in coordination with the Opelika Police Department, the Opelika City Jail processes individuals arrested within the city limits of Opelika. Individuals booked at the city level may be transferred to the Lee County Detention Center for longer-term housing.

Opelika Police Department 300 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 705-5200 Opelika Police Department

For individuals sentenced to state custody, the Alabama Department of Corrections maintains several facilities statewide. Members of the public may conduct a current inmate search through the Alabama Department of Corrections inmate locator to locate individuals transferred to state custody.

Who's in Prison In Lee County

The Lee County Detention Center houses several distinct populations of individuals at any given time. Understanding who is held in the county jail, as opposed to a state prison, is essential for locating a specific individual.

The following categories of individuals are currently held in the Lee County jail system:

Pre-trial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they are unable to post bond or have been denied bond
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of one year or less
Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of lower-level felonies whose sentences fall within the county jail threshold
Individuals on holds — persons held on behalf of other jurisdictions, including immigration detainers, out-of-county warrants, or federal agency holds
Probation and parole violators — individuals detained pending a revocation hearing
Civil contempt detainees — individuals held by court order for failure to comply with civil court directives, such as child support orders

Individuals serving sentences exceeding one year are transferred to Alabama state correctional facilities and may be located through the Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search database.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Lee County in 2026

Members of the public seeking inmate records in Lee County may use several official channels to locate current and historical custody information. The following steps outline the available methods.

Online Search:

Visit the Lee County Sheriff's Office official website at leecountyso.com and navigate to the inmate search or jail roster section, where current detainee information is posted.
For individuals who may have been transferred to state custody, use the Alabama Department of Corrections inmate locator, which provides real-time data on currently incarcerated state inmates.
For court case information associated with an arrest, members of the public may access the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts online portal, which provides on-demand access to Alabama state trial court records.

In-Person Request:

Members of the public may visit the Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 100 Percent Circle, Opelika, AL 36801, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Requestors should provide the full legal name of the individual and, if known, the date of birth or booking number to facilitate the search.
Written public records requests may be submitted pursuant to Alabama Code § 36-12-40, and the agency is required to respond within a reasonable time.

By Telephone:

Members of the public may call the Lee County Detention Center at (334) 749-5651 to inquire about the custody status of a specific individual.

How To Find an Inmate in Lee County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held within Lee County or transferred to state custody.

Lee County Sheriff's Office Online Roster — The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible online jail roster at leecountyso.com, which lists individuals currently in custody at no charge.
Alabama Department of Corrections Inmate Search — The Alabama Department of Corrections inmate search is a free, publicly accessible database for locating individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities. Note that this database contains only currently incarcerated inmates; historical data is not available online.
Alabama Court Records Portal — The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts provides free and fee-based access to trial court records, which may include case status and custody-related court orders.
Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Lee County Detention Center at (334) 749-5651 at no cost to inquire about an individual's custody status.
In-Person Inquiry — Visiting the Records Division at the Lee County Sheriff's Office during public counter hours allows members of the public to request basic custody information at no charge.

How To Visit an Inmate In Lee County

Visitation at the Lee County Detention Center is governed by facility rules established by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. All visitors must comply with applicable regulations to maintain visitation privileges.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must be pre-approved and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list prior to the visit.
Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all visitors at the time of check-in.
Visitors must arrive on time; late arrivals may be denied entry.

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules are set by the Lee County Detention Center and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (334) 749-5651 to confirm current visitation days and times.

What to Bring:

Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, controlled substances, alcohol, or any contraband
Cell phones, cameras, or recording devices into the secure visitation area
Food, beverages, or packages not authorized by facility staff

Dress Code:

Visitors must dress appropriately; clothing that resembles inmate uniforms (typically orange or similar colors) is prohibited.
Revealing, offensive, or gang-affiliated clothing is not permitted.

Visit Types:

In-person contact visits — where permitted by the facility and the inmate's classification
Non-contact visits — conducted through a glass partition
Video visitation — remote video visits may be available through the facility's contracted service provider

Visit Restrictions:

Individuals with active warrants, prior felony convictions, or those on probation or parole may be subject to additional screening or denial of visitation.
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must also appear on the approved visitor list.
The facility reserves the right to terminate or deny any visit that poses a security risk.

How To Send Money to a Lee County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account at the Lee County Detention Center through approved channels. These funds allow inmates to purchase approved items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and phone time from the facility commissary.

Methods for Sending Money:

Online deposits — Funds may be deposited through the facility's contracted third-party service provider (such as JPay, Access Corrections, or a similar platform). Members of the public should verify the current provider by contacting the facility at (334) 749-5651.
Kiosk deposits — Lobby kiosks at the facility may accept cash or card deposits directly to an inmate's account.
Money order — Money orders made payable to the inmate (with the inmate's full name and booking number noted) may be mailed or submitted in person.

Amount Limits:

Deposit limits per transaction or per week may apply and are set by the facility. Members of the public should confirm current limits with the Lee County Detention Center.

Fees:

Third-party service providers typically charge a transaction fee for online or kiosk deposits. Fee schedules vary by provider and transaction method.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent through the mail is not accepted and will not be credited to an inmate's account.
Personal checks are generally not accepted.
Gift cards or prepaid debit cards are not accepted as direct deposits.

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:

Funds may be used to purchase commissary items, pay for phone calls, and access approved digital services.
Funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly from the commissary account unless specifically authorized by court order.

How To Send Jail Mail In Lee County

Members of the public may send written correspondence to inmates housed at the Lee County Detention Center by following the facility's established mail policies.

Methods for Sending Mail:

Standard U.S. Postal Service mail is the accepted method for sending written correspondence to inmates.
Some facilities contract with third-party mail processing services that digitize incoming mail before delivery to inmates. Members of the public should confirm the current mail processing method with the facility at (334) 749-5651.

Addressing Mail: All outgoing mail must be addressed in the following format: Inmate Full Legal Name, Booking Number Lee County Detention Center 100 Percent Circle, Opelika, AL 36801

Rules for Sending Mail:

All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable Alabama law.
Letters must be written on plain white paper; cards and letters with glitter, stickers, or embedded materials are typically rejected.
Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; Polaroid photographs and photos with explicit content are generally prohibited.
No cash, checks, gift cards, or contraband may be enclosed in any correspondence.
Return address must be included on all envelopes; mail without a return address may be rejected.
Legal mail from attorneys is treated as privileged correspondence and is subject to separate handling procedures under applicable law.
Packages, books, and publications must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer; items sent from personal addresses are generally not accepted.