Mecklenburg County Detention Centers (MCDC) and Inmate Search

The Mecklenburg County Detention Centers (MCDC) make up the largest municipal detention system in both North and South Carolina. These two detention facilities are the Detention Center Central and the Juvenile Detention Center. The Mecklenburg County Detention Center Central is a pre-trial facility that can house more than 1900 inmates which makes it the largest municipal detention facility in North and South Carolina. It is located at 801 East Fourth Street in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Juvenile Detention Center North, on the other hand, houses individuals from ages 15 through 17. It is located at 5235 Spector Drive in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How to Send Mail or Package

Inmates housed in the Mecklenburg County Detention System may receive mail from family and friends. All incoming mail must include the sender’s complete name and return address, otherwise it will be placed in the inmate’s personal property. Any mail or contents that are deemed unacceptable will be returned to the sender. All mail must be sent through the U.S. Post Office. To send mail to an inmate, please follow the format below:

Inmate’s Name as it appears on their Armband and PID Number
P.O. Box 34429 Charlotte, N.C. 28234-4429

Funds can be deposited into an inmate’s account in several ways. Deposits can be made using the POD Kiosk System. A Touch Pay Kiosk machine can be found in the front lobby of the Mecklenburg County Detention Center – Central and the lobby of the Juvenile Detention Center. Money orders and cashier’s checks should be made payable to the inmate’s name with his/her date of birth and PID number written on it. These will be accepted by mail for deposit to an inmate’s account. Take note that cash will not be accepted. Please mail them to the address below:

Inmate’s Name as it appears on their Armband and PID Number
P.O. Box 34429 Charlotte, N.C. 28234-4429

Visitation Hours

Inmates confined at the MCSO are allowed visitation. Each inmate is permitted one 25-minute visit per week. Each visit can only have two adults and one child or one adult and two children. Visits need to be scheduled at least one day prior. Visitors need to arrive no later than 10 minutes after the scheduled visitation time. Otherwise, the visit will be cancelled. Inmates are also given two free 10-minute video calls per week. For any questions or problems with scheduling, you may call 855-208-7349.

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online database of all inmates currently housed in their detention centers. The database is searchable by last name, first name, PID, JID, and prisoner type. Each inmate’s profile contains a lot of information including his/her photo, complete name, arrest #, date of birth, jail ID, status, charges, and sentences (if any).

The Sheriff’s Office also has a database containing all of its warrants. The database can be searched using an individual’s first or last name. Each warrant shows the individual’s complete name, processing #, description, case number, classification, type of warrant, and jurisdiction.

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Information

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office is the chief law enforcement agency in the county. It provides various services to the communities within its jurisdiction. It consists of several divisions and specialized units including Field Operations, Courts, Community Engagement, Motorcycle Unit, and Crisis Negotiation. The head of the Sheriff’s Office is Sheriff Garry L. McFadden.

Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Address:
700 E. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Phone Number:
704-336-8100

Mecklenburg County is located in the south central region of North Carolina. Its county seat is Charlotte which is also the largest city in the area. It has an estimated population of 1,122,276 based on the 2021 census, making it the second most populous county in the state. The total area of the county is 546 square miles.

2018 Annual Average Violent Crimes: 5,376
Data Source: North Carolina County Health Rankings

Mecklenburg County Public Records Information

Copies of public records are available in Mecklenburg County upon request. To get copies of criminal cases, divorce judgments, or special proceedings, you can inquire at the Clerk of Court’s office. Requests for copies of vital records and real estate deeds can be submitted to the Register of Deeds. The Sheriff’s Office handles all requests for copies of police reports such as arrest and incident reports.