Birmingham Work Release Center opened in 1973 and was used for males until April 1984, when the males were transferred to East Thomas Work Release, and the female inmates housed at the Wetumpka Work Release were transferred to Birmingham Work Release. The Center had a capacity for 50 inmates. During 1988, a new dormitory building was constructed, followed by 1989’s renovation of the administrative offices, all which helped the capacity to increase to 300 community custody inmates.

The Center has a full time Drug Treatment Counselor to facilitate relapse classes and monitors active aftercare programs of recovering inmates.