Alabama § 45-5-231 - Jail Commissary, Contract Telephones, and Vending Machines; Disposition of Funds.
Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 45-5-231 — Jail Commissary, Contract Telephones, and Vending Machines; Disposition of Funds., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 45-5-231. Jail Commissary, Contract Telephones, and Vending Machines; Disposition of Funds.
(a) The Sheriff of Blount County may operate a jail commissary and contract telephones for inmates within the confines of the county jail. The jail commissary and inmate telephones shall be operated to serve the needs of the county jail population.
(b) The sheriff may retain the profits derived from the commissary, inmate telephones, pay telephones, and vending machines located at the Blount County Law Enforcement Center. Any and all profits collected shall be deposited by the Sheriff of Blount County or his or her appointed agent in any bank located in Blount County selected by the sheriff into a fund known as the “Sheriff’s Jail Fund.”
(c) The Sheriff’s Jail Fund as provided in subsection (b) shall be drawn upon the Sheriff of Blount County or his or her appointed agent and shall be used exclusively for law enforcement purposes in the public’s interest in the discharge of the sheriff’s office as the sheriff sees fit.
(d) Any actions relating to the operation of a jail commissary, contract telephones, pay telephones, and vending machines located at the Blount County Law Enforcement Center of the Blount County Jail prior to May 21, 1996, are ratified and confirmed. Any existing profits derived from the operation of a jail commissary, contract telephones, pay telephones, and vending machines or/and combination of these services, in the law enforcement center or county jail prior to May 21, 1996, shall be deposited into the Sheriff’s Jail Fund created by this section.
(e) The establishment of the Sheriff’s Jail Fund as provided in this section and the use of such funds shall in no way diminish or take the place of any other source of income established for the sheriff or the operation of his or her office.
(f) The State Examiners of Public Accounts is hereby authorized to audit the fund annually and submit a copy of the audit to the sheriff within 30 days of its completion.
Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 45-5-231
What does Code of Alabama § 45-5-231 cover?
Section 45-5-231 ("Jail Commissary, Contract Telephones, and Vending Machines; Disposition of Funds.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alabama § 45-5-231?
A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 45-5-231" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alabama law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.
How does Alabama § 45-5-231 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.