Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
Independent records-search resource. This website is not a government agency, police department, sheriff's office, jail, prison or courthouse. Search coverage varies by source and jurisdiction. Some links may lead to third-party services, and compensation may be received when a partner service is used.
Find a Forsyth County Inmate and Check Current Jail Information
If someone was arrested in Winston-Salem or elsewhere in Forsyth County, North Carolina, start with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Inquiry. The search is connected to the Sheriff’s Police-to-Citizen system and is the most direct public source for checking whether someone is currently listed in county jail custody.
| Official facility | Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center (LEDC) |
|---|---|
| Operator | Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office |
| Address | 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 |
| Detention Center phone | 336-917-7600 |
| Custody type | Adult male and female pretrial inmates and sentenced misdemeanants |
| Bed capacity | 1,016 |
| Facility | 11-story twin-tower detention facility in downtown Winston-Salem |
| Current inmate source | Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Police-to-Citizen Inmate Inquiry |
How to Search the Forsyth County Jail Roster
Use the Inmate Inquiry link above. The Sheriff’s own detention-center page links visitors to this Police-to-Citizen inmate system.
Use the name most likely entered during booking. Avoid nicknames at first. If the person’s name includes a suffix, hyphenated surname or multiple last names, try a simplified version if the first search does not produce a clear match.
Do not rely on the name alone when several people have similar names. Review the identifying, booking, custody, charge, bond or housing information that is available in the record.
The inmate ID is especially useful for mail and other inmate services. Housing information is important because public visitation days depend on the inmate’s assigned housing unit.
For a recent arrest, possible release, transfer or record that cannot be matched confidently, call 336-917-7600 before traveling to the jail or sending money or mail.
What Information Can the Jail Search Help You Find?
The public inmate catalog is intended for custody and booking information. Depending on the current record, you may be able to confirm details such as:
- the inmate’s listed name;
- current Forsyth County jail custody;
- booking or inmate identification information;
- criminal charges shown with the booking;
- bond information when available;
- housing information used for visitation; and
- other current booking details published by the Sheriff’s system.
A booking is not a conviction. Charges listed with a jail record are allegations associated with the arrest or criminal case. Use the North Carolina court system when you need the filed case, court date, later court orders or final disposition.
If You Cannot Find the Person
An empty Forsyth County inmate-search result does not always answer what happened to the person. Work through these possibilities before assuming they were never booked.
| Possible situation | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Very recent arrest | Booking and intake may still be processing. Retry the Sheriff’s inquiry and call 336-917-7600 if you need immediate confirmation. |
| Name mismatch | Try the legal first and last name, remove a middle name or suffix, and check alternate surname formatting. |
| Already released | The person may no longer appear as a current inmate. Check the related criminal case through the North Carolina Judicial Branch. |
| Transferred to N.C. state prison | Use the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offender Locator. County jail inmates are not included in the state prison database. |
| Federal custody | Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator if the person entered the federal prison system. |
| ICE custody | Use the federal ICE Online Detainee Locator System when immigration detention is the relevant custody system. |
| Held in another county | Check the sheriff or detention facility for the county where the person was actually booked or transferred. |
County Jail vs. North Carolina State Prison Search
This distinction prevents one of the most common inmate-search mistakes.
Forsyth County Inmate Inquiry: use it for people held in the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center.
N.C. Department of Adult Correction: use it when a person has entered North Carolina state prison custody or you are searching for a state prisoner, probationer or parolee. NCDAC specifically states that its offender database does not contain county jail information.
Check Court Dates, Charges and Case Status
The jail roster answers the custody question. The North Carolina Judicial Branch is the better source when you need the criminal case itself.
Forsyth County is currently listed in Prosecutorial, Superior Court and District Court District 31. The state’s online court services can be used to find court dates and search available case information.
- Open the official Forsyth County Judicial Branch page.
- Select the court-date or Portal option.
- Search using the defendant’s name or available case information.
- Limit the location to Forsyth County when the search allows it.
- Compare the case number and charges with the jail record before assuming two records belong to the same person.
The current Forsyth County Courthouse is at 175 N. Chestnut Street in Winston-Salem. Jail custody and court proceedings are separate systems, so a release from jail does not mean the criminal case has ended.
Bond and Release Information
If the inmate record displays a bond, treat it as current booking information rather than a guarantee of immediate release. A magistrate or judge determines release conditions under North Carolina law, and later court action can change the amount or type of bond.
North Carolina magistrates can set bail in criminal cases. Depending on the case, pretrial release may involve conditions such as a written promise to appear, unsecured bond, supervision or a secured bond. Some offenses have additional statutory restrictions.
For a specific inmate, first check the current Sheriff’s record. If the bond information is unclear or you need the current judicial order, check the corresponding court case or contact the appropriate court office.
Forsyth County Jail Visitation
Public visiting days are based on the inmate’s housing unit. The Sheriff’s current visitation page publishes a housing-unit-by-day table, so confirm the unit before making the trip.
- 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Registration cutoff: visitors must be registered at least 30 minutes before the visitation period ends.
Attorney visitation: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
The Sheriff has also published a public-visitation memorandum stating that an inmate submits names for the approved visitor list. That memorandum provides for up to three approved adult visitors age 18 or older on the list while continuing to allow two public visits per week. It also states that up to two children age 16 or younger may accompany an adult during a visit.
Because housing assignments and detention policies can change, check the Sheriff’s live visitation table shortly before traveling.
How to Put Money on an Inmate Account
The Sheriff’s current commissary page identifies McDaniel Supply Company as the Forsyth County Detention Center commissary provider.
You currently have two main options:
- Lobby kiosk: the kiosk in the detention-center lobby accepts cash or credit cards.
- Online: the Sheriff directs friends and family to the McDaniel Supply JailPackStore, which can be used for inmate-account deposits and approved packages.
McDaniel Supply assistance is listed at 912-427-9022.
Deposit timing matters for a newly booked inmate. The Sheriff’s current instructions state that a person booked Monday through Friday before 3:30 p.m. can generally receive kiosk deposits after booking. For someone booked after 3:30 p.m. Friday, during the weekend, or before 10:30 a.m. Monday, kiosk deposits become available after 11:00 a.m. Monday.
The public lobby is listed as open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
How to Send Regular Mail to a Forsyth County Inmate
Do not send ordinary personal mail to the jail’s Church Street address. Under the Sheriff’s mail policy effective July 15, 2024, non-legal personal inmate mail is sent to a separate scanning center.
Sender’s Full Name
Sender’s Street Address
Sender’s City, State ZIP
Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center NC
Inmate Name, Inmate ID Number
Facility ID Number: 5067
PO Box 18247
Greensboro, NC 27419
The envelope must contain the facility name, inmate name, inmate ID and Facility ID 5067. It also needs a complete and legible return address with the sender’s first and last name.
Important mail rules include:
- maximum 10 pages per envelope;
- pages no larger than 8.5 × 11 inches;
- written or typed pages, permitted photos, drawings and greeting cards may be included;
- no Polaroid photographs;
- no cash, personal checks or money orders;
- no glitter, glue, tape, 3D elements or electronic components;
- no contraband or prohibited sexual, gang, drug, alcohol, violence or illegal-activity content;
- do not send original birth certificates, driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, Green Cards or other important originals; and
- do not send books, magazines, packages or other publications to the scanning center.
Accepted personal mail is scanned so the inmate can access it electronically. The Sheriff’s policy states that the physical mail is then destroyed.
Legal Mail and Publications Use a Different Address
Legal or privileged correspondence should not be sent to the Greensboro scanning center. The Sheriff’s policy says legal mail must go directly to the facility and must be marked “Legal Mail.” Publications must come directly from an approved publisher or distributor.
Inmate’s Full Name
Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center
201 Church Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
The Sheriff’s general facility listing uses 201 North Church Street. Its legal-mail policy prints 201 Church Street for legal correspondence, so follow the current mail-policy document when addressing legal mail.
What Happens to Scanned Mail After Release?
The Sheriff’s mail policy provides a way for a released inmate to request digital copies of scanned postal mail. The request is sent to inmatemail@fcso.us and should include:
- Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center;
- the inmate’s name;
- the inmate ID number; and
- the recipient’s email address.
After verification, the Sheriff’s policy states that a download link can be emailed to the address supplied in the request.
Inmate Phone Calls
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office identifies Pay Tel Communications as its inmate telephone-service provider. Family and friends who need to receive eligible inmate calls may need a Pay Tel prepaid or direct-bill account.
The Sheriff’s Pay Tel information lists 1-800-PAY-TELL (1-800-729-8355) for account setup, payment and call-receiving assistance.
The provider information also warns that jail calls may be recorded and monitored. Actions such as attempting a three-way call, placing a call on hold, forwarding a call or answering call waiting can cause a call to disconnect.
Packages, Books and Publications
The Sheriff’s general FAQ says inmates are not allowed to receive packages. Do not send an ordinary package directly to the detention center.
If you want to purchase approved commissary items, use the current McDaniel Supply process listed by the Sheriff. Publications are handled differently from ordinary personal mail: the current mail policy states that publications must be sent directly from an approved publisher or distributor rather than through the Greensboro personal-mail scanning address.
Victim Custody Notifications
If you need ongoing notification instead of repeatedly checking the roster, North Carolina provides NC SAVAN, the Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification service.
The N.C. Department of Adult Correction says NC SAVAN can provide free, confidential custody notifications involving county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees and registered sex offenders. Available notification methods can include phone, email, text message and TTY.
Current Jail, Court Record or Criminal Background Check?
| If you need… | Use… |
|---|---|
| Current Forsyth County jail custody | Forsyth County Sheriff’s Inmate Inquiry |
| Current jail address, visitation or inmate services | Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center |
| Court date or criminal case activity | North Carolina Judicial Branch / Portal |
| N.C. state prisoner, probationer or parolee | N.C. Department of Adult Correction Offender Search |
| Federal prisoner | Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator |
| ICE detainee | ICE Online Detainee Locator System |
| Incident or sheriff report | Forsyth County Sheriff’s Records/Incident Reports |
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Records Division states that it does not provide general criminal-history background checks. A jail booking search also should not be treated as a background check or proof of guilt.
Forsyth County Detention Center Contact Information
| Detention Center | Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center |
|---|---|
| Street address | 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 |
| Detention Center | 336-917-7600 |
| Sheriff Administration | 301 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 |
| Sheriff Administration phone | 336-917-7001 |
| Emergency | 911 |
The detention facility is in downtown Winston-Salem between the Second Street, Third Street, Church Street and Chestnut Street area. Confirm that the inmate is still in custody before driving to the facility because releases and transfers can change quickly.
Best Search Order for a Recent Forsyth County Arrest
- Search the Sheriff’s Inmate Inquiry.
- Match the correct person using available booking and identifying information.
- Save the inmate ID and housing unit if displayed.
- Check the North Carolina court record when you need the court date or case activity.
- Use the housing unit to verify visitation before traveling.
- Use only the Sheriff’s current commissary, phone and mail instructions before paying or mailing anything.
- If the person has left county custody, move to the N.C. state, federal or other correct custody system rather than repeatedly searching the county roster.
Forsyth County Jail Inmate Search FAQs
1. How do I find an inmate in Forsyth County, NC?
Start with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Inquiry on its Police-to-Citizen system. Search with the person’s legal name, review the matching booking record, and save the inmate ID and housing information if available.
2. What is the official Forsyth County jail inmate search?
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office links its Law Enforcement Detention Center to the Police-to-Citizen Inmate Inquiry at forsythsheriffnc.policetocitizen.com/Inmates/Catalog.
3. What is the Forsyth County Detention Center phone number?
The Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center lists 336-917-7600 as its public phone number. The facility is at 201 North Church Street in Winston-Salem.
4. Why is a recently arrested person not showing in the jail roster?
The booking may still be processing, the name may be entered differently, the person may already have been released or transferred, or another agency may be holding the person. Retry the search and call 336-917-7600 when custody remains unclear.
5. How do I check a Forsyth County inmate’s court date?
Use the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s Forsyth County page and its court-date or Portal search. A jail roster shows custody information, while the court system is the better source for hearings and case activity.
6. When can I visit a Forsyth County jail inmate?
Public visitation sessions are 9:00–11:30 a.m., 1:00–3:00 p.m. and 5:30–7:30 p.m. The available days depend on the inmate’s housing unit, and visitors must register at least 30 minutes before a session ends.
7. How do I send money to a Forsyth County inmate?
The Sheriff’s current commissary page lists McDaniel Supply Company. Friends and family can use the detention-center lobby kiosk or the JailPackStore service linked by the Sheriff. Confirm the inmate’s identity before depositing money.
8. What address do I use to send an inmate a letter?
Regular non-legal inmate mail goes to the Sheriff’s scanning address at PO Box 18247, Greensboro, NC 27419 and must include the inmate name, inmate ID and Facility ID 5067. Legal mail follows a separate direct-to-facility process.
9. What phone company does Forsyth County Jail use?
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office identifies Pay Tel Communications as the inmate telephone-service provider. Pay Tel lists 1-800-729-8355 for account and call assistance.
10. Where do I search if the inmate was transferred to North Carolina state prison?
Use the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offender Public Information Search. NCDAC states that its database covers state prisoners, probationers and parolees and does not contain county jail records.
Independent information notice: CountyJailInmateSearch.org is not the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and does not operate the jail roster. Official links above are provided so readers can complete live custody searches and verify time-sensitive information directly with the responsible government agency.