Mecklenburg County Jail-Central

You can support your loved ones at Mecklenburg Co Jail Central 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 Central is a detention center located at 801 E 4rth St 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.

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office operates the largest municipal detention system in both North and South Carolina, managing the Mecklenburg County Detention Centers (MCDC). These facilities are fully accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA), a distinction they have maintained since 2003, and also hold healthcare accreditation, ensuring that high-quality medical services are provided to the resident population. The MCDC addresses a wide range of needs, including those related to drug or alcohol addiction and mental health, offering an array of medical and rehabilitative programs.

The Mecklenburg County Detention Center Central, a direct supervision facility that opened in 1997, is the primary hub of operations for the Sheriff’s Office. The facility underwent an expansion in 2002, increasing its capacity to over 1,900 residents, making it the largest municipal detention center in the Carolinas. This pre-trial facility houses a full-service medical component, including an infirmary, and serves as the central location for arrest processing, property storage, and various administrative and support services.

The Arrest Processing Center (APC) within Detention Center Central operates as the centralized entry point for all individuals arrested in Mecklenburg County, functioning 24/7. The APC is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic fingerprinting and digital mugshot equipment, supported by certified deputy sheriffs, detention officers, and civilian staff. This facility uniquely includes onsite fingerprint technicians and civilian data entry staff, allowing for rapid identity verification by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

As part of its intake process, the APC utilizes a full-body scanner to enhance security and reduce the introduction of contraband into the facility, complementing traditional search methods. The APC also houses the Information Gathering Team (IG) and the Mecklenburg County Warrant Repository. The Warrant Repository manages all electronic criminal warrants and summonses via the eWarrants system, as well as maintaining hard copies of warrants issued before 2013 and other legal documents. The IG team, composed of civilian Arrest Processing Analysts, works closely with arresting agencies and magistrates to ensure the accurate processing of arrests and the service of outstanding warrants.

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.

The Records and Release division, another critical component of the APC, operates around the clock and is staffed by both civilian and detention personnel. This division is responsible for entering and updating demographic, charge, and bond information into the Offender Management System (OMS), and ensuring the correct and timely release of residents when their legal conditions are met. The division also manages the transfer of residents into and out of the facility, conducting multiple checks to verify eligibility for release and the absence of outstanding warrants or charges. This comprehensive operation ensures that the Mecklenburg County Detention Center Central functions efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of security and care for its residents.