Jail records, court & arrest records, mugshots and even judicial reports
Use this website for informational purposes only.
North Carolina's correctional system is managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS). This department oversees the various components of the state's criminal justice system, including state prisons, probation and parole supervision, and services for juvenile offenders. The system's main goal is to provide for public safety while working to rehabilitate incarcerated individuals.
North Carolina's state prisons are a diverse collection of facilities varying in size, level of security, and population. They house individuals who have been convicted of felonies and are serving sentences typically longer than one year. The state operates close, medium, and minimum custody facilities.
Here is a brief overview of these:
A full list of state prisons in North Carolina can be found on the official NCDPS website.
County jails in North Carolina are managed by the county sheriff's office of each county. These facilities typically house individuals awaiting trial or serving sentences for misdemeanors. The conditions of confinement vary from county to county, but they generally offer fewer programs and services compared to state prisons.
City jails, or municipal jails, are usually smaller facilities managed by the city's police department. They primarily hold people for short periods following their arrest and before their initial court appearance.
In addition to state-run facilities, North Carolina also has several federal prisons operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). These institutions house individuals convicted of federal crimes.
For those trying to locate an individual within the North Carolina correctional system, there are various online and offline resources available.
For state prisons, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Offender Public Information is a searchable database providing details such as the offender's name, ID number, sentence status, and current location.
If the online search option isn't feasible, you can call the NCDPS at 919-838-4000 for assistance.
For inmate searches in county jails, you would generally visit the sheriff's office website of the specific county. For example, Wake County Sheriff's Office provides an online Inmate Inquiry portal to search for inmates. If your county doesn't provide an online inmate search, you can call the sheriff's office directly.
Inmate searches for city jails may be more challenging as not all municipalities may have online databases. Typically, you can contact the local police department for more information.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator can be used to find individuals in federal prisons anywhere in the United States, including North Carolina. The locator includes information on inmates from 1982 to present.
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