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 the Forsyth County Detention Center, capturing the full custodial history of individuals held in local correctional facilities. These records are distinct from court records: the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, while the detention facility maintains custody-specific documentation tied to the physical confinement of an individual.

Record creation begins at the moment of booking or intake, when a person is first received into custody. The record is continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in charges, housing assignments, disciplinary actions, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public access under applicable law. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, public records in North Carolina are defined broadly to include all documents made or received in connection with the transaction of public business by any governmental agency, which encompasses inmate custody records maintained by county detention facilities.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office 201 N. Church St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 727-2112 Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Forsyth County?

Inmate records maintained by the Forsyth County Detention Center are generally considered public records under North Carolina law. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4 governs the disclosure of criminal investigation records and establishes specific provisions regarding what law enforcement and detention agencies must make available to the public. Under current law, the following categories of inmate information are publicly accessible:

Current inmate roster, including names of individuals presently in custody
Booking and arrest records, including date, time, and arresting agency
Charges filed against the individual at the time of booking
Mugshots taken during the intake process
Bond or bail amounts set by the court
Expected release dates, where available
The name of the housing facility where the individual is detained

Certain information remains protected from public disclosure, including medical and mental health records, information that could compromise an ongoing investigation, and records pertaining to juveniles. Members of the public may access available inmate information through the Sheriff's Office online portal or by submitting a written public records request to the detention facility.

What's Included In Inmate Records in Forsyth County

Inmate records maintained by the Forsyth County Detention Center contain a comprehensive set of data fields compiled from the point of booking through release. The following categories represent the standard components of a complete inmate record:

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age
Race, sex, and physical description
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number, where applicable

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency and arresting officer
Current housing unit and cell assignment
Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, hold)

Charge Information:

All charges filed at the time of arrest
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
Statute or ordinance violated
Case or warrant number associated with each charge

Bond/Bail Information:

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

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date and court location
Assigned judge or courtroom, where available
Case numbers linked to the Forsyth County judicial branch

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Length of sentence imposed
Sentence begin date and projected end date
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release, if applicable

Forsyth County Prison System

Forsyth County operates a local detention system designed to house individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process. The Forsyth County Detention Center serves as the primary facility for pre-trial detainees awaiting court proceedings, as well as individuals serving sentences of typically one year or less for misdemeanor or lower-level felony convictions. This structure distinguishes the county jail from state correctional institutions: individuals convicted of more serious felonies and sentenced to terms exceeding one year are transferred to facilities operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, which maintains records on state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders statewide.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office holds administrative authority over the Detention Center and is responsible for the intake, housing, supervision, and release of all county inmates.

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

Types of Correctional Facilities In Forsyth County

Forsyth County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:

Forsyth County Detention Center 201 N. Church St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 727-2112 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

The Detention Center is a multi-pod facility operated by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. It houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving short-term sentences, individuals held on immigration detainers, and those awaiting transfer to state or federal custody. The facility maintains separate housing units based on classification, gender, and medical or behavioral needs.

For individuals sentenced to state prison, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction operates multiple facilities throughout the state. Members of the public seeking information on state-sentenced individuals may use the offender search tools available through the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Who's in Prison In Forsyth County

The Forsyth County Detention Center houses several distinct populations at any given time. Understanding who is incarcerated in the county jail helps members of the public determine the appropriate agency to contact when searching for an individual.

Individuals currently held at the Forsyth County Detention Center typically include:

Pre-trial detainees who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted or acquitted, and who have not posted bond
Sentenced misdemeanants serving court-imposed sentences of up to 150 days for Class A1 or Class 1 misdemeanor convictions under North Carolina law
Individuals awaiting transfer to a state correctional facility following a felony conviction and sentencing
Individuals held on detainers from other jurisdictions, including federal immigration holds
Individuals serving weekend or intermittent sentences as ordered by the court
Individuals held for probation violations pending a hearing before the court

Individuals who have been convicted of felonies and sentenced to terms of more than one year are generally housed within the North Carolina state prison system rather than the county detention center.

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 following steps outline the available methods:

Online Inmate Search:

Visit the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office official website at forsythsheriff.org
Navigate to the inmate search or detention center section of the site
Enter the individual's first name, last name, or booking number to retrieve current custody information
Results typically display booking date, charges, bond amount, and custody status

In-Person Records Request:

Visit the Forsyth County Detention Center at 201 N. Church St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Present a valid government-issued photo identification
Submit a written public records request specifying the individual's name and approximate date of custody

State-Level Offender Search:

For individuals who may be held in state custody, members of the public may use the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction's criminal offender search tool, which covers county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders

Court Records Search:

Case-related information may be accessed through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's online portal or at the Forsyth County Courthouse

Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court Hall of Justice, 200 N. Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 779-6310 North Carolina Judicial Branch – Forsyth County

How To Find an Inmate in Forsyth County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are available for locating an inmate currently held in Forsyth County. Members of the public may use the following free resources:

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Online Inmate Roster: The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible inmate roster on its official website. Users may search by name or booking number at no charge through forsythsheriff.org
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offender Search: This free statewide tool allows searches for county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders through the NC Department of Adult Correction
Telephone Inquiry: Members of the public may call the Forsyth County Detention Center directly at (336) 727-2112 during business hours to inquire about an individual's custody status at no cost
In-Person Inquiry: Individuals may visit the Detention Center at 201 N. Church St. during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM) to request basic custody information in person

How To Visit an Inmate In Forsyth County

Visitation at the Forsyth County Detention Center is governed by facility rules established by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. All visitors must comply with applicable regulations to maintain visitation privileges.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must be pre-approved and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list
Visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit
Visitors are subject to search prior to entering the facility

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules vary by housing unit; members of the public should contact the Detention Center at (336) 727-2112 or visit forsythsheriff.org to confirm current scheduling

What to Bring:

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, controlled substances, alcohol, or tobacco products
Cell phones, cameras, or electronic recording devices
Food, beverages, or packages not authorized by facility staff
Cash or valuables beyond what is permitted by facility policy

Dress Code:

Visitors must dress appropriately; clothing that resembles inmate uniforms or law enforcement attire is prohibited
Revealing or offensive clothing is not permitted

Visit Types:

In-person contact visits (subject to availability and inmate classification)
Video visitation, which may be available on-site or remotely through an approved vendor

Visit Restrictions:

Individuals with active warrants, prior felony convictions, or who are on probation or parole may be subject to additional screening or denial of visitation
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must also appear on the approved visitor list

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. These funds allow inmates to purchase commissary items, make telephone calls, and cover other authorized expenses within the facility.

Approved Methods:

Online deposits through the facility's approved third-party vendor (members of the public should verify the current vendor through forsythsheriff.org)
Kiosk deposits available at the Detention Center lobby during public counter hours
Money order submitted by mail, made payable to the inmate's full legal name and booking number

Amount Limits:

Deposit limits per transaction and per week may apply; members of the public should confirm current limits with the Detention Center at (336) 727-2112

Fees:

Third-party vendors typically charge a transaction fee per deposit; fee amounts vary by method and vendor

What You Cannot Send:

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

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:

Funds may be used for commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone calls, and approved electronic services
Funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly from the inmate trust account unless specifically authorized by court order

How To Send Jail Mail In Forsyth County

Members of the public may send written correspondence to inmates housed at the Forsyth County Detention Center by following the facility's established mail procedures. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by detention staff pursuant to facility security protocols and applicable North Carolina law.

Mailing Address: All mail must be addressed to the inmate using the following format:

Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number Forsyth County Detention Center 201 N. Church St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Rules for Sending Mail:

All letters must be written on plain white paper; cards with glitter, stickers, or embellishments are typically not accepted
Envelopes must be standard white; padded or bubble envelopes are generally prohibited
The sender's full name and return address must appear on the envelope
Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; members of the public should confirm current photo policies with the facility
Books and publications, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from an individual sender
Mail containing contraband, coded language, or content that poses a security threat will be rejected and may be reported to law enforcement
Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately and afforded additional protections under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 148-19, which governs the rights of prisoners with respect to correspondence

All mail policies are subject to change at the discretion of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. Members of the public should verify current requirements directly with the Detention Center at (336) 727-2112 or through the official website at forsythsheriff.org.