Wilkes County, North Carolina Inmate Search
A Wilkes County inmate search is the process of obtaining information about individuals detained at the Wilkes County Detention Center. This includes checking public records or inmate rosters maintained by law enforcement agencies such as the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office and other municipal agencies.
Searches may provide details about inmates that can be used to identify detainees and stay updated with their custody status. The public can access inmate details, including full names, booking photographs, alleged offenses, bail or bond details, booking numbers, and case dispositions.
After an arrest in the county, detainees are booked at the correctional center, where these details are recorded for administrative purposes. The county also houses the Wilkes County Correctional Center, which is a state prison operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC).
While individuals held for trial or sentenced to short terms are housed at the county detention center, offenders sentenced to long terms or for state-level offenses are housed at the Correctional Center. There is no federal prison facility located in the county. Municipal law enforcement agencies, such as police departments, can also maintain their arrest logs. The North Wilkesboro Police Department and Wilkesboro Police Department, which represent the two most populous cities in the county, maintain records of arrests by their officers, but the arrestees are transported to the county detention center. The sheriff’s office can be located at:
Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office
381 Executive Drive
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697
(336) 903-7600 - Main Line
Fax: (336) 903-7606
How to Find an Inmate in Wilkes County Jail
Wilkes County inmate records are created at the Wilkes County Detention Center and managed by the Sheriff’s Office. The county jail houses individuals who have short sentences for minor offenses and temporary detentions. Members of the public can find an inmate by making a request at the sheriff’s office or county jail. This request can be done in person, over the phone, or by checking the inmate roster maintained by the sheriff’s office.
Simple inmate inquiries can be made for free in person or over the phone by calling (877) 627-2826 or (336) 903-7623 for the jail or (336) 903-7600 for the sheriff’s office. While the county does not maintain an online inmate roster, the jail relies on the VINELink platform for providing updated inmate custody information. This platform provides statewide searchable access to inmate information, which can be filtered by county. For in-person access, the sheriff’s office and county jail can be found at:
Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office
381 Executive Drive
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697
(336) 903-7600 - Main Line
Fax: (336) 903-7606
Wilkes County Detention Center
381 Executive Drive
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697
(336) 903-7623 - Main Line
(336) 903-7624 - Alternative Line
How to Use the Wilkes County Jail Roster
Using the Wilkes County jail roster will require an internet-enabled device and a stable internet connection. The county does not maintain its own searchable online roster but relies on the VINELink platform for inmate searches. Requesters can use this platform by following these steps:
- Load the VINELink website or download the app from the Google Play or App Store.
- Click on the Search for Someone box.
- Select that you are searching for an offender. For the location, select North Carolina as the state of interest, after which you will select Wilkes County for county-specific results.
- The platform allows searches of inmate information using details like Name and ID Number. Select between the two for your preferred search option and input the information.
- After entering the information, a search icon will appear below the text box, which you will click.
What Information is Included in the Wilkes County Inmate Roster
An inmate roster generally contains details about a detainee and the circumstances around their incarceration. The details contained in the Wilkes County inmate roster are information recorded during the booking stage that is publicly accessible. Here are some of these details:
- Full Name: This refers to an inmate’s first and last name. It is the most efficient search option for locating inmates at the county jail.
- Booking Number: This is the number assigned to inmates at the county jail after the booking process. The booking number is a unique identifier for tracking an inmate in the jail system.
- The date and time of the arrest or booking
- Housing or Unit Assignment: This refers to the inmate’s housing unit. It is the jail building, cell block, and room where an inmate is housed at the county jail.
- Current custody or release status: This refers to whether an inmate is still held at the county jail or has been released unconditionally or on bail.
While the above details are accessible to the public, there are sensitive and private details in inmate records that are protected under the North Carolina Public Records Act. According to North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4, investigation or criminal intelligence records, such as witness statements, surveillance materials, and investigative notes, are not considered public records. Other restricted details are juvenile records, cases that are expunged by a court order, and records sealed by the court.
Contact Details for Wilkes County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office
381 Executive Drive
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697
(336) 903-7600 - Main Line
Fax: (336) 903-7606
Wilkes County Detention Center
381 Executive Drive
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697
(336) 903-7623 - Main Line
(336) 903-7624 - Alternative Line
| Contact | Address | Phone | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes County Sheriff's Office (General) | 381 Executive Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 | (336) 903-7600 | Mon–Fri, business hours | Fax: (336) 903-7606 Email: cshew@wilkescountysheriff.net. |
| Wilkes County Detention Center | 381 Executive Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 | (336) 903-7623 | 24 hours a day | Alternate line: (336) 903-7624. General booking and custody questions. |
Jail Facility Overview in Wilkes County
Wilkes County books and houses detainees at the Wilkes County Detention Center, which is managed by the sheriff’s office. The detention center is the county’s main jail facility, and it houses male and female offenders in separate housing areas. The county detention center is a temporary housing facility for individuals awaiting trial and offenders serving short local sentences of under a year. It was built in 2014 to replace the previous facility that served the county since the 1970s.
The 58,000 square foot jail houses about 264 inmates, which does not include any juvenile offenders. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has a Division of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention, which handles cases involving juveniles. Juvenile offenders are also housed at the closest state-operated regional facility, which is the Alexander Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Wilkes County also hosts a state facility, which is the Wilkes Correctional Center. This facility has a capacity of about 268 inmates. It houses male offenders only who are convicted and sentenced for state-level offenses. The correctional center is a minimum custody facility managed by the North Carolina Adult Detention Center. This facility relies on reentry programs over custody through a partnership with Wilkes Community College. Offenders can take full-time courses toward a high school equivalency. Other offenders can work on-site in landscaping, maintenance, recreation, or food service. There is no federal jail facility in Wilkes County.
| Facility | Address | Office Hours | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes County Jail (Wilkes County Sheriff's Office) | 502 Courthouse Drive, Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697 | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week | (336) 903-7623 |
| Wilkes County Correctional Center (NC Dept. of Adult Correction) | 404 Statesville Road, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28659 | Business hours; call ahead | (336) 667-4533 |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in the Wilkes County Jail?
Family and friends of individuals in custody at Wilkes County Jail can send them money through the jail’s deposit options. According to the Send Inmates Money / Mail webpage, members of the public can use the lobby kiosk maintained by JailATM to make cash deposits only at the county jail. Deposits made at the lobby kiosk will reflect in the inmates balance once the transaction is completed. Online deposits can also be done through approved services such as the accesscorrections platform.
Wilkes County Jail accepts only U.S. Postal money orders sent by mail. The facility will not accept cash or personal checks sent through the mail. The sheriff’s office notes that there is a service charge on all Inmate Trust Fund Deposits, regardless of the deposit method used. Ensure to budget for this fee, and any other fees that may arise through the payment platform or your card provider. There is no strict maximum limit per transaction, but care packages sent through the commissary, such as Access Securepak, limit care packages to 1 package up to $100 per intake week. You can contact the jail for more information on inmate deposits by calling (866) 345-7884 or accesscorrections at (866) 345-1884.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
Wilkes County does not operate a searchable inmate roster online. Inmate searches are restricted to in-person or phone inquiries. However, the sheriff’s office advises the public to use the VINELink platform to access updated inmate information for the Wilkes County Jail. While this platform provides statewide access to inmate searches, it does not contain information about juvenile inmates in the county. The county hosts the Wilkes Correctional Center, which houses individuals sentenced to state offenses. The public can use the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections’ Offender Search tool for an inmate search. There is no separate juvenile roster, as such cases are confidential under state law.
| Facility | Separate Search Option | Where to Find Information |
|---|---|---|
| Wilkes County Jail | Yes, through NC SAVAN / VINELink | Search by name at ncsavan.org, by phone at (877) 627-2826, or by calling the jail directly at (336) 903-7623. |
| Wilkes Correctional Center | Yes, through NC DAC's Offender Public Information Search | Available through the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction's criminal offender search tools. |
| Juvenile Detention | No (Confidential) | Contact the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Division of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention. Requires in-person inquiry by a parent, guardian, or attorney with a valid ID. |
Wilkes County Visitation Rules and Schedules
Wilkes County Jail visitation is managed by the Sheriff’s Office, with rules and schedules published on the Visitation Policy and Public Visiting Hours websites. Any adult may visit. Juveniles under the age of 16 years are allowed as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Visitors who are disruptive, intoxicated, or unable to control accompanying children may be asked to leave and could lose visiting privileges afterward. Visitors are required to provide a valid government-issued photo ID, and all visits must be scheduled in advance. Scheduling of visits can be done online through the iWebVisit platform. In-person visits without a scheduled appointment are not accommodated.
Visitors must wear clothing that is appropriate for a secure government facility and plan on a basic security screening on arrival. Cellphones, tobacco or nicotine products, and any type of weapon are not allowed in the visitation area under any circumstances. Visitors will have to leave these items in their vehicle. Each visit lasts for 15 minutes, with each inmate having one visit per week through the public lobby. Video visitation can be scheduled daily and offers more flexibility than the once-per-week in-person visits. In-person lobby visits are scheduled based on housing pods. Here is the visitation schedule for Wilkes County Jail:
| Housing Units / Pods | Day | Public Lobby (On-Site) Visiting Hours | Duration & Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Pod & B Pod | Saturday | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Free on-site (15 mins/week), scheduled online 1–7 days in advance |
| C Pod & D Pod | Sunday | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Free on-site (15 mins/week), scheduled online 1–7 days in advance |
| E Pod & F Pod | Tuesday | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Free on-site (15 mins/week), scheduled online 1–7 days in advance |
| G Pod & H Pod | Thursday | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Free on-site (15 mins/week), scheduled online 1–7 days in advance |
| All Housing Units | Daily (Remote) | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Scheduled online via iWebVisit (fee applies) |
Mailing and Commissary Information | Wilkes County Jail
Inmates at the Wilkes County Jail can communicate with family and friends by exchanging mail. Sending a letter is one of the easiest ways to communicate with an individual in custody, and this can be done through the jail authorities. The mail must be addressed using the inmate’s name and booking number, and it must include a return address on the envelope.
Mails without a return address are more likely to be rejected outright. All incoming mail is opened and inspected by jail staff before it reaches the inmate. The items generally allowed in a mail package to inmates include letters written on plain paper, photographs, and greeting cards without glitter, padding, or stickers. Items that are generally not allowed include padded or bubble-lined envelopes, anything scented, stickers or glitter, and items with metal clasps, staples, or other fasteners.
Inmates cannot receive hardcover books or books not shipped directly from the publisher or an approved retailer. You can confirm mail package rules by calling the jail at (336) 903-7623. The commissary is available for inmates to purchase items that are not ordinarily available in jail. Funds deposited in inmate accounts through the Access Corrections platform are used for these purchases.
Inmate’s Full Name, Booking Number
Wilkes County Jail
502 Courthouse Drive
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697