Forsyth County Public Records /Forsyth County Inmate Search

Forsyth County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Forsyth County?

Inmate records in Forsyth County are official documents created and maintained by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and its detention facilities to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. These records are distinct from court records: while the Forsyth County Superior Court maintains case files, dockets, and judicial orders, the jail and detention center maintain custody records that track an individual's physical presence within the correctional system.

The record creation process begins at booking and intake, when a person is first received into custody. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document charges, record physical descriptors, and capture a booking photograph. Records are continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public records requests under applicable law.

Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1, public records are defined broadly to include all documents made or received in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government. Custody records maintained by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office fall within this definition and are subject to disclosure unless a specific exemption applies.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 727-2112 Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Forsyth County?

Inmate records in Forsyth County are generally public under North Carolina law. N.C.G.S. § 132-1 establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The North Carolina Public Records Law does not require a requester to state a reason for seeking records, and agencies may not condition access on the requester's identity or purpose.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Forsyth County Detention Center
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
Charges filed — criminal charges for which the individual is being held
Mugshots (booking photographs) — captured at intake and generally releasable as public records
Bond and bail amounts — the amount set by a magistrate or judge for pretrial release
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is assigned

Certain information within inmate records may be withheld under specific exemptions, including medical and mental health records protected under N.C.G.S. § 122C-54, juvenile records, and information that could compromise an ongoing investigation.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Forsyth County

Inmate records maintained by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office contain multiple categories of information compiled from booking through release.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth
Race, sex, height, weight, and eye color
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency
Current housing assignment and facility location
Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold)

Charge Information:

All charges for which the individual is currently held
Charge level (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
Statute violated
Offense date

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (secured, unsecured, written promise)
Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
Bond status (posted, unposted, denied)

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date
Assigned courtroom and judge
Case number cross-reference

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length
Sentence begin date
Projected release date based on sentence
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, dismissal)
Transferring agency if applicable

Forsyth County Prison System

Forsyth County operates a local detention system designed to house individuals awaiting trial and those serving sentences of generally up to two years under North Carolina's structured sentencing guidelines. The county jail is distinct from state prisons, which are administered by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and house individuals convicted of more serious offenses with longer sentences.

The Forsyth County Detention Center serves as the primary holding facility for the county. It is operated under the authority of the Forsyth County Sheriff and is responsible for the safe and secure custody of all individuals committed to its care by the courts of Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Detention Center 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 727-2112 Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours for the Sheriff's Office are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and county holidays.

Types of Correctional Facilities In Forsyth County

Forsyth County currently operates one primary detention facility for local custody needs.

Forsyth County Detention Center The Forsyth County Detention Center is a multi-story facility located in downtown Winston-Salem adjacent to the Forsyth County Hall of Justice. It houses pretrial detainees, individuals serving misdemeanor and short-term felony sentences, individuals held on immigration detainers, and those awaiting transfer to state correctional facilities. The facility is staffed by sworn detention officers under the supervision of the Forsyth County Sheriff.

201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 727-2112 Forsyth County Detention Center

Individuals sentenced to longer terms in North Carolina are transferred to facilities operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, which maintains correctional institutions throughout the state.

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction 4201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4201 (919) 838-4000 North Carolina Department of Adult Correction

Who's in Prison In Forsyth County

The Forsyth County Detention Center houses several categories of individuals at any given time. Members of the public may use the Sheriff's Office inmate search tool to identify whether a specific individual is currently in custody.

The following populations are typically held at the Forsyth County Detention Center:

Pretrial detainees — individuals arrested and charged with a crime who have not yet been convicted and are unable to post bond or have been denied bond
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to 150 days under North Carolina structured sentencing
Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of lower-level felonies awaiting transfer to a state facility or serving short local sentences
Probation and parole violators — individuals held on alleged violations of supervision conditions pending a hearing
Federal and immigration holds — individuals held pursuant to agreements with federal agencies, including U.S. Marshals Service detainees and ICE detainers
Individuals held on out-of-county warrants — persons arrested in Forsyth County on warrants issued by other jurisdictions, pending extradition or transfer

How To Search for Inmate Records In Forsyth County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in Forsyth County through several official channels. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search portal that provides real-time custody information for individuals currently held at the Forsyth County Detention Center.

Step 1 — Use the Online Inmate Locator Visit the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office website and navigate to the inmate search or detention section. Enter the individual's first name, last name, or booking number to retrieve current custody status, charges, bond information, and next court date.

Step 2 — Contact the Detention Center Directly Members of the public who are unable to locate an individual online may call the Forsyth County Detention Center at (336) 727-2112 during business hours. Staff can confirm whether an individual is in custody and provide basic booking information.

Step 3 — Submit a Public Records Request For historical inmate records or detailed documentation not available through the online portal, a written public records request may be submitted to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the Sheriff's Office Records Division.

Step 4 — Check the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction If an individual has been transferred to a state facility, members of the public may use the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offender search tool to locate the individual's current facility and sentence information.

Step 5 — Search Federal Inmate Records For individuals held in federal custody, the Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains a public inmate locator at BOP.gov.

How To Find an Inmate in Forsyth County for Free?

Locating an inmate in Forsyth County at no cost is possible through several official resources currently available to the public.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Online Inmate Search — The Sheriff's Office provides a free online search tool accessible through the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office website. No account or fee is required to search current inmates by name or booking number.
Phone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Forsyth County Detention Center at (336) 727-2112 to request verbal confirmation of an individual's custody status at no charge.
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offender Search — The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction provides a free online search for individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities or under state supervision.
Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court — Court records associated with an inmate's case, including charges and court dates, may be accessed through the North Carolina Courts eCourts portal at no cost for basic case information.

Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court Hall of Justice, 200 North Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 779-6310 Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court

How To Visit an Inmate In Forsyth County

Visitation at the Forsyth County Detention Center is subject to rules and procedures established by the Sheriff's Office. Members of the public wishing to visit an inmate must comply with all applicable requirements.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of check-in. Visitors are subject to search prior to entry. The facility reserves the right to deny visitation to any individual who fails to comply with posted rules or who poses a security concern.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules at the Forsyth County Detention Center are determined by the housing unit to which the inmate is assigned. Schedules are subject to change based on facility operations, lockdowns, or emergencies. Members of the public should contact the facility at (336) 727-2112 or visit the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office website to confirm current visitation times before arriving.

What to Bring

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport)
Any required visitation approval documentation

What NOT to Bring

Cell phones, cameras, or recording devices
Food, beverages, or tobacco products
Weapons or any prohibited items
Large bags or purses (lockers may be available)

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-related symbols or insignia is prohibited. The facility may deny entry to visitors who do not comply with the dress code.

Visit Types

In-person contact visits — available for approved visitors in designated visitation areas
Video visitation — the Forsyth County Detention Center currently offers video visitation services, which may be scheduled remotely through the facility's contracted provider

Visit Restrictions Individuals with active warrants, individuals on probation or parole, and individuals with prior criminal convictions may be subject to additional screening or denial of visitation privileges. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The number of visitors permitted per session may be limited based on facility capacity.

How To Send Money to a Forsyth County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account at the Forsyth County Detention Center through approved methods. Inmate trust accounts allow individuals in custody to purchase items from the commissary, pay for phone calls, and cover other approved expenses.

Approved Methods for Sending Money:

Online deposits — Funds may be deposited electronically through the facility's contracted financial services provider. Members of the public should visit the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office website for the current approved provider and instructions.
Kiosk deposits — Deposit kiosks may be available at the facility lobby for cash or card deposits.
Money orders — Money orders made payable to the inmate (including full legal name and booking number) may be mailed to the facility.

Amount Limits: Deposit limits per transaction or per day may apply and are set by the facility's contracted financial services provider. Members of the public should confirm current limits through the provider's platform or by contacting the facility.

Fees: Transaction fees are typically assessed by the third-party financial services provider and vary by deposit method. The facility itself does not generally charge a fee for receiving funds.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted
Personal checks are generally not accepted
Funds from unverified or anonymous sources may be rejected

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Funds in an inmate's trust account may be used to purchase commissary items (hygiene products, snacks, writing materials), pay for telephone and video call services, and cover approved fees. Trust account funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly from the account without a court order.

How To Send Jail Mail In Forsyth County

Members of the public may send written correspondence to inmates at the Forsyth County Detention Center through the U.S. Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility policy and applicable law.

Mailing Address Format: All mail must be addressed using the inmate's full legal name and booking number:

Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number Forsyth County Detention Center 201 North Church Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Rules for Sending Mail:

All letters must be written on plain white paper using standard ink or pencil
Envelopes must be plain white with no decorations, stickers, or markings other than the address and return address
A legible return address must appear on all correspondence; anonymous mail will not be delivered
Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; they must be standard-size prints with no Polaroids, and must not depict nudity, gang activity, or contraband
Cards and greeting cards may be subject to restrictions; some facilities accept only postcards
All mail is opened and inspected for contraband before delivery to the inmate
Mail containing threats, coded language, or content that poses a security risk will be confiscated and may be forwarded to law enforcement

Prohibited Items in Mail:

Cash, checks, or money orders enclosed in envelopes
Stickers, glitter, or adhesive materials
Staples, paper clips, or binding materials
Items that have been treated with any substance

Legal Mail: Correspondence from licensed attorneys is classified as legal mail and is handled under separate procedures. Legal mail is opened only in the presence of the inmate to verify it contains no contraband, consistent with protections under applicable constitutional standards.