North Carolina Corrections System

An overview of the corrections system in the state. How many jails are there? State corrections facilities? Is it a death penalty state? Who are some of the wardens?

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Who oversees the prison system. Do privatized prisons exist? How many people are incarcerated per year on avg, etc?

North Carolina Inmate and Roster Search

Information on current inmates in North Carolina can be obtained by searching for specific inmates through a database. You have the option to search by the inmate’s identification number, last name, or date of birth. Some jails have full online rosters that display all the inmates. Some jails may offer Inmate Information phone numbers to find information about an inmate.

The searchable databases or rosters are typically located within a sheriff’s office website or a city police website. Inmate information that can be viewed includes date of birth, ID number, specific jail, booking date and charges, bond amount, case number, any fines and fees, and upcoming court dates.

Most local North Carolina jails are under the control of the county or city in which they’re located. County sheriff offices are often in charge of county jails. The leadership of the jail is typically called a facility commander. The state is in charge of actual prisons in North Carolina. North Carolina is a death penalty state. An estimated 30,000 – 35,000 people are incarcerated in North Carolina.

There are 97 local jails in North Carolina, while there are 53 prisons. There are no private prisons in North Carolina.

Total Facilities and Growing

  • 99County Jail
  • 312Police Department
  • 0State

North Carolina Visitation Guidelines and Hours

Inmates are usually allowed 1-2 visits per week, but some jails in North Carolina offer more visits. Some jails allow onsite visits where the inmate and visitor can physically see each other, while others only offer video visitation. Most jails have the option of remote visitation, meaning that you don’t have to travel to the jail. Onsite visits are typically free, while remote visitation may have a fee. ViaPaths and GTL Visit Me are a couple of providers for video visits.

Visits are usually limited to 1-2 people and may last 20-30 minutes. Visits often must be scheduled in advance. For onsite visits, the visitor must arrive at least 30 minutes in advance and have a government ID.

Onsite visits are usually restricted to certain days and hours, but typically include at least one weekend day. Remote visits offer more flexibility, with extended hours.

There are many visitation rules.

  • Visitors must leave all belongings in storage lockers in the lobby.
  • No food or drinks.
  • No weapons are allowed.
  • Visitors may not leave packages, mail, or photos for inmates.
  • No see-through or revealing clothing.
  • Sleeves can’t be shorter than halfway down the upper arm.
  • No leggings.
  • Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be longer than mid-thigh.
  • No clothing that has offensive language, gang affiliations, or drawings.

North Carolina Direct Inmate Communication

Inmates in North Carolina jails typically do not have the ability to receive phone calls, but they can make calls. Those calls are either made collect or through a prepaid program offered by a phone service provider.

Once the account is established, the inmate can dial the phone number. When a prepaid account is verified, the call will go through, and the receiving person can accept the phone call.

Some of the phone service providers used in North Carolina jails include Connect Network and PayTel Communications. Video calls may be allowed if remote online visitation is allowed.Some calls made from the jail may be blocked, and all calls may be monitored and/or recorded.

North Carolina Inmate Mail

All mail to inmates must include a complete return address and the sender’s name, the inmate’s full name and identification number, and the inmate’s jail name and housing location. If any of that information is missing, the mail will be returned to the sender or back to the post office.

All mail is inspected. Mail with perfume, lipstick, or other substances will be returned to the sender. Newspapers, books, or magazines must be mailed directly from the publisher.. Some jails may allow photographs to be sent in the mail, but others may not.

The following are considered contraband and will be disposed of:

  • Envelopes and greeting cards
  • Pens and pencils
  • Obscene photo
  • Markers, stickers
  • Stamps
  • Cash or money orders

North Carolina Sending Money to Inmates

There are accounts that money can be deposited into for inmates at North Carolina jails. Funds can be deposited and then used by the inmate for commissary purchases. Funds can be sent through an app, online deposits, kiosk locations, over the phone, and at certain retailers. TouchPay, JailATM, and McDaniel Supply Company are common providers used for money deposits.

Money orders and online deposits are the preferred methods to send money to inmates. Cash may be allowed at a jail kiosk. Some jails have a monetary limit of how much you can deposit in cash at one time.

North Carolina Inmate Records, Bookings, and Mugshots

Information about active warrants can often be found at county sheriff’s offices’ websites.

Court records can be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court’s office. In some counties, the County Clerk and the Clerk of Superior Court may be one and the same. Property records and vital statistics can be obtained from the Register of Deeds.

The booking process takes place after a person is arrested. The person is then taken to a police station or jail, where they are searched, and information is recorded. The person is fingerprinted and turns over any personal possessions to be held until they are released. A health history will be taken, and a check for any active warrants on the person will be conducted. The entire process can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to possibly a day.

In 2010, there were 363,881 crimes reported in North Carolina, and the overall crime rate in North Carolina was 3,806.2 per 100,000 people. The murder rate was 5.0 per 100,000 people, and the forcible rape crime rate was 20.9 per 100,000 people. The robbery crime rate was 100.6 per 100,000 people, with an aggravated assault crime rate of 236.2 per 100,000 people. The property crime rate was 3,443.5 per 100,000 people.

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