Mecklenburg County Jail-North

You can support your loved ones at Mecklenburg Co Jail North on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 704-336-8100.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Mecklenburg Co Jail North is a detention center located at 5235 Spector Dr Charlotte, NC which is operated locally by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Mecklenburg County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Charlotte Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for North Carolina here.

Opened in 1994, this Direct Supervision Facility was designed to house 614 sentenced inmates, with a strong focus on inmate programming. The facility offers a range of educational and rehabilitative programs, including substance abuse education, life skills, domestic violence prevention, parenting, health education, and both GED and high school curricula, providing inmates with opportunities for personal development and skill-building.

In 2010, Jail North expanded to include a Vocational Training Building, Greenhouse, and a 108-bed Youthful Offender Housing Unit. Inmates can acquire horticulture and carpentry skills, which may help them transition into employment opportunities after release. The Youthful Offender Housing Unit provides a structured environment for 16- and 17-year-old inmates, focusing on education, counseling, and individualized care through smaller group housing.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Jail North also houses the main production kitchen, which operates using the cook-to-chill method, supplying meals to all of the Mecklenburg County Detention Facilities. The facility is home to the Sheriff's Office Training Academy, which offers Detention Officer Certification and in-service training for officers from Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and surrounding law enforcement agencies. Inmates at Mecklenburg County Jail North are classified as minimum to medium security risks and may face county, state, or federal charges.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

For more detailed information on the rules and regulations of the facility, please download the 38-page MSDC Resident Handbook, available in Spanish and published by the Sheriff's Office.