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What are North Carolina Inmate Records?

North Carolina inmate records begin with an arrest and continue until parole or probation is complete. These records come from various agencies like local law enforcement (police and Sheriff’s offices), the courts, confinement facilities (jails and prisons), and even treatment centers and community corrections offices.

Typically, each record will contain the offender’s name, date of birth, gender, race, and a physical description with their height, weight, eye and hair color, and defining marks (tattoos, scars, etc.). They may also contain things like crime details, court dates, sentencing, and incarceration details.

Some of the inmate records in North Carolina will have mugshots, fingerprints, DNA samples, audio and video clips, and other paper and digital records. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is the agency in charge of offenders, inmate records, and facilities.

North Carolina Prison and Jail System

The state of North Carolina has 61 state prisons and correctional centers. They are spread throughout the state with varying degrees of custody.

The state also has dozens of local county jails for inmates serving short sentences or those awaiting trial.

There are roughly 28,928 offenders in North Carolina state prisons. There are another 67,000+ on probation and almost 12,000 on parole. Only 1,926 of those are female prisoners.

How to Search for Inmates in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has a few different types of criminal offender search databases to choose from on their website. The main one for the public allows you to search by name or inmate ID. Not only can you find incarcerated inmates but also people on probation or parole.

The results show a list with the offenders’ name, ID number, gender, race, birth date, and age. You can click on the offender ID to get more information. Additional details will show a mugshot (if available), the inmate’s status, conviction date, crimes, custody level, number of infractions, and current location. You will also see very detailed information about their recent incarceration and offenses.

You may also choose to use a tool like InfoTracer to find someone incarcerated in the state of North Carolina.

Types of Jails in North Carolina

How to Contact, Send Money to or Visit an Inmate in North Carolina

North Carolina believes that visitation is an essential part of an offender’s rehabilitation and they encourage family and friends to visit. However, each person who visits must follow the rules, including making an appointment, dressing appropriately, and they will be subject to a “pat-down.” Anyone wishing to visit must fill out an application first.

North Carolina has partnered with JPay so that family and friends can send money to inmates. Money orders only are accepted and must be mailed to JPay P.O. Box 173070 Hialeah, FL 33017. You may also pay online, by phone, or at a MoneyGram location.

North Carolina’s prison system uses the GTL system for inmate phone calls. You can set up an account online or by phone and set up prepaid phone minutes to stay connected with your incarcerated loved one.

Federal Jails

Police Departments in North Carolina

North Carolina Counties

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