Davidson County Public Records /Davidson County Inmate Search

Davidson County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Davidson County?

Inmate records in Davidson County are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document individuals who are or have been held in custody within the county's detention system. These records are distinct from court records: while the North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, custody records are generated and held by the jail or correctional facility itself and reflect the administrative and operational aspects of an individual's incarceration.

The record creation process begins at the moment of booking or intake, when a detained individual is formally processed into the facility. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record physical descriptors, and capture a photograph. The record is then updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical flags, court appearances, and bond status. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with applicable retention schedules.

Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1, public records are defined broadly to include all documents made or received by any agency of North Carolina government in the transaction of public business. Custody records maintained by county sheriff's offices and detention facilities fall squarely within this definition, making them subject to public access unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

Are Inmate Records Public In Davidson County?

Inmate records in Davidson County are generally public under North Carolina law. N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4 governs the disclosure of criminal investigation records and establishes that certain law enforcement records, including records of arrests, are public. Booking records, current inmate rosters, and charge information are among the categories routinely available to members of the public upon request.

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

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in county detention
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
Charges filed — the specific criminal charges for which the individual is held
Mugshots — photographs taken at the time of booking
Bond and bail amounts — the financial conditions of release set by the court
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is assigned

Certain information may be withheld where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a witness, or violate a court order. Juvenile records are separately protected under North Carolina law and are not subject to general public disclosure.

What's Included In Inmate Records in Davidson County

Inmate records maintained by Davidson County correctional facilities contain a comprehensive set of data fields organized by category.

Basic Identifying Information:

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

Custody Information:

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

Charge Information:

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

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, unsecured, no bond)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond conditions, if any

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date
Assigned court division and judge
Case number cross-referenced with the North Carolina Judicial Branch

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length and structure
Projected release date
Any concurrent or consecutive sentence designations

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond posted, sentence served, transfer, court order)
Receiving agency if transferred

Davidson County Prison System

Davidson County, North Carolina, operates a local detention system designed to house individuals who are awaiting trial or serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or low-level felony convictions. The county jail is administered by the Davidson County Sheriff's Office and functions as the primary point of intake for individuals arrested within the county. Individuals sentenced to terms exceeding one year are typically transferred to a facility operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

The distinction between a county jail and a state prison is significant: county jails hold pre-trial detainees and short-term sentenced inmates, while state prisons house individuals serving longer felony sentences under the jurisdiction of the state. The Davidson Correctional Center, operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, represents the state-level facility associated with Davidson County and holds individuals under state jurisdiction.

Davidson County Sheriff's Office 110 W. Center St., Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 249-0131 Davidson County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Types of Correctional Facilities In Davidson County

Davidson County's correctional infrastructure includes both county-operated and state-operated facilities serving different segments of the incarcerated population.

Davidson County Detention Center 110 W. Center St., Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 249-0131 Davidson County Detention Center

This facility serves as the primary county jail, housing pre-trial detainees, individuals serving short-term sentences, and those awaiting transfer to state custody. It is operated by the Davidson County Sheriff's Office.

Davidson Correctional Center (State Facility) 1600 Old Lexington Rd., Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 249-4449 Davidson Correctional Center

This state-operated facility is administered by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and houses individuals serving felony sentences under state jurisdiction. Davidson was one of 51 county prisons for which the state assumed operational responsibility.

Who's in Prison In Davidson County

The Davidson County Detention Center holds several categories of individuals at any given time. Members of the public seeking to understand who may be incarcerated in the county facility should be aware of the following classifications:

Pre-trial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they are unable to post bond or because the court has ordered detention
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year
Sentenced low-level felons — individuals serving short felony sentences who have not been transferred to state custody
Holds for other jurisdictions — individuals detained on behalf of another county, state, or federal agency pending transfer
Civil commitments — individuals held pursuant to court order for reasons other than criminal conviction, such as mental health evaluations

Individuals serving sentences longer than one year for felony convictions are generally housed at state facilities operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, which maintains a statewide criminal offender search covering county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Davidson County in 2026

Members of the public may access inmate records through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for conducting an inmate search:

Online search via the Sheriff's Office — Visit the Davidson County Sheriff's Office website and navigate to the inmate search or detention center section. Current roster information is typically available without charge.
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offender search — For individuals who may have been transferred to state custody, use the statewide offender search tool maintained by the NC Department of Adult Correction, which covers county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, and parolees.
North Carolina Judicial Branch — Court-related records, including case files and scheduled court dates, are accessible through the Davidson County court records portal, which allows searches by name, citation number, and county.
In-person request — Members of the public may appear in person at the Davidson County Sheriff's Office during public counter hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to request records. Requests should be submitted in writing and may reference N.C.G.S. § 132-6, which establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records.
Written public records request — A formal written request may be submitted by mail or email to the Sheriff's Office Records Division. No specific form is required under North Carolina law, but the request should identify the record sought with reasonable specificity.
Fees — Agencies may charge a reasonable fee for copies of records. Electronic records are often provided at no cost.

How To Find an Inmate in Davidson County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held within Davidson County or the broader North Carolina correctional system.

Davidson County Sheriff's Office online roster — The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible inmate roster on its official website at no charge. Members of the public may search by name to determine whether an individual is currently in custody at the county detention center.
NC Department of Adult Correction offender search — The statewide criminal offender search tool is available at no cost and covers county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders across North Carolina.
North Carolina Judicial Branch — Davidson County — The Davidson County location page of the North Carolina Judicial Branch provides access to court dates, case information, and related records searchable by name or citation number, free of charge.
In-person inquiry — Members of the public may visit the Davidson County Detention Center in person during business hours to inquire about an individual's custody status at no cost.

How To Visit an Inmate In Davidson County

Visitation at the Davidson County Detention Center is governed by facility rules established by the Sheriff's Office. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable procedures.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of check-in. Visitors are subject to screening, which may include metal detector screening and inspection of personal items. Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for rule violations.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the facility and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the Davidson County Detention Center directly at (336) 249-0131 to confirm current visitation days and times prior to arrival.

What to Bring

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

What NOT to Bring

Weapons of any kind
Controlled substances or alcohol
Unauthorized food or beverages
Electronic devices not expressly permitted by facility policy
Cash or valuables beyond what is permitted

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays offensive imagery is prohibited. The facility reserves the right to deny entry to any visitor whose attire does not comply with the dress code.

Visit Types The Davidson County Detention Center currently offers in-person contact or non-contact visits depending on the inmate's classification and housing assignment. Video visitation may also be available; members of the public should confirm availability with the facility.

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.

How To Send Money to a Davidson County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the individual to purchase approved items from the commissary, make telephone calls, and cover other authorized expenses.

Methods for Sending Money:

Online — Many facilities partner with third-party vendors such as JPay or Access Corrections to allow online deposits. Members of the public should verify the current approved vendor with the Davidson County Detention Center.
Kiosk — Lobby kiosks at the facility may accept cash or card deposits directly into an inmate's account.
Money order by mail — Money orders made payable to the inmate (including the inmate's full name and booking number) may be mailed to the facility. Personal checks are generally not accepted.

Amount Limits: Deposit limits, if any, are set by facility policy. Members of the public should confirm current limits with the Davidson County Detention Center at (336) 249-0131.

Fees: Third-party vendors typically charge a transaction fee for online or kiosk deposits. The fee amount varies by vendor and transaction method.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail
Personal checks
Funds intended for unauthorized purposes

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Funds in an inmate's trust account may be used for commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone calls, and approved correspondence services. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly from the trust account without a court order or facility authorization.

How To Send Jail Mail In Davidson County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Davidson County Detention Center by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security policies.

Methods for Sending Mail:

Standard U.S. Mail — Letters and cards may be sent to the inmate's full legal name and booking number at the facility address: Davidson County Detention Center, 110 W. Center St., Lexington, NC 27292.
Postcards — Some facilities restrict incoming mail to postcards only to facilitate inspection. Members of the public should confirm the current mail policy with the facility before sending correspondence.

Rules for Sending Mail:

All envelopes must include the sender's full return address
Mail must not contain contraband of any kind, including drugs, weapons, or unauthorized currency
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions set by the facility
Hardcover books and magazines, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or retailer
Mail containing threatening, obscene, or otherwise prohibited content will be rejected and may be reported to law enforcement
Stickers, glitter, tape, or other adhesive materials on the outside or inside of envelopes are typically prohibited
All mail is subject to reading and inspection by facility staff; inmates do not have a right to confidential mail except in limited circumstances involving legal correspondence, which may be subject to separate handling procedures under applicable law