Medium custody (men) · Correctional Facility · ADOC

Ventress Correctional Facility

Clayton, Barbour County, Alabama

Visiting schedules change without notice. Always call before traveling.

Call Visiting Office: (334) 775-3331 Info last verified: July 2026

A medium-security men's prison near Clayton, in southeast Alabama, whose primary mission is alcohol and drug treatment.

Statewide rules that apply at every Alabama state prison

These rules are set by ADOC and apply at every unit. The full list — including all permitted and prohibited items and the approval process — is in Visiting in Alabama.

Dress code

No tan clothing or anything that looks tan, and no scrub-style clothing — both resemble what inmates wear (Alabama inmates wear white, and minimum-custody clothing is tan or white).
Dresses, skirts, and pants must be no shorter than three inches above the knee (including any slit), and trousers must be at least ankle-length; no shorts, stretch pants, or tight, sheer, or see-through clothing.
No sundresses or sleeveless tops — blouses and shirts must cover the waist and chest — and a complete set of undergarments is required.
No hats, caps, scarves, or headbands (religious headwear needs advance written approval); no sunglasses unless prescribed and no smart glasses; jewelry limited to a wedding set and simple stud earrings; no house, shower, or beach shoes.

ID: Every adult visitor must be on the inmate's approved list (built with Form 303-A) and show a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, military ID, or immigration ID. An inmate may have up to eight approved adult visitors at a time.
What to bring: Each visitor may bring up to $30 (in change or on a $30 debit card) for the vending machines, plus a photo ID and car keys, in a clear plastic bag — and nothing else. Phones and electronics, purses and bags, tobacco, and weapons are prohibited; parents may bring a few baby items.
Scheduling: There is no statewide schedule and ADOC does not post visiting hours online, so confirm days and hours with the specific prison. Under the 2025 rules, all visits must be pre-scheduled and approved, and a newly arrived inmate may face up to a 60-day wait before visits can begin.

Full statewide rules: Visiting in Alabama

Overview

Ventress Correctional Facility, on Highway 239 north of Clayton — the Barbour County seat — is a medium-security men’s prison in southeast Alabama, holding about 1,314 men. Its primary mission is alcohol and drug treatment; ADOC describes it as a substance-abuse treatment facility, with an eight-week program and a six-month drug-treatment program, alongside academic and vocational classes through Ingram State Technical College. It opened in August 1990.

What Makes Ventress Different

Its primary mission is alcohol and drug treatment, with an eight-week program and a six-month drug-treatment program.
It is a medium-security men’s prison in rural Barbour County.
It offers academic and vocational classes through Ingram State Technical College.
The nearest full-service town is Eufaula, about 20 miles northeast.

Visiting

The statewide ADOC rules above — the approved visitor list, the no-tan dress code, ID, and the $30 vending limit — apply at Ventress. The facility’s own arrangements:

The full approval process is in Visiting in Alabama.

Getting There and Parking

The prison is on Highway 239 north of Clayton, in rural Barbour County, southeast of Montgomery.

Distances are approximate, based on map routing. Visitor parking is on site.

Nearby Services

Eufaula, about 20 miles northeast, has the nearest cluster of hotels, restaurants, and services; Dothan, about 45 miles south, is the largest nearby city. The nearest hospital emergency room is Medical Center Barbour in Eufaula, the only hospital in Barbour County.

Mail

Personal mail does not go to the prison. Since late 2025, ADOC routes personal letters, cards, and photos to an off-site scanning center in San Antonio, Texas, addressed with the person’s name and AIS number; the person receives the mail as images on a tablet. Legal mail and packages still go to the facility. Full addressing details are in Mail & Packages.

Learn More

For detailed information about visiting and communicating with someone at an Alabama state prison:

Visiting in Alabama — the approved list, dress code, and scheduling
Mail & Packages — the San Antonio scanning address and what still goes to the facility
Phone & Video Calls — ICSolutions calls, messaging, and video
Sending Money — Access Corrections and the trust account
Medical & Mental Health — the co-pay and how to raise a concern
Transfers & Finding Someone — reception centers and the inmate search

Sources

This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.