Wayne County, North Carolina Inmate Search
Wayne County inmate search refers to the process of locating an inmate or information about a detainee through law enforcement records. Inmate records are primarily maintained by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, which is primarily responsible for arrests in the county.
This office provides access to an inmate roster, which contains information that can be used to identify a detainee and track their custody status. Inmate searches can produce information about individuals in custody, such as their full name, booking number, mugshots, booking date, a description of the charges against them, their custody status, bail or bond information, and court details.
These details are recorded during the booking process, which takes place at the Wayne County Jail, where detainees are housed. The sheriff’s office manages the county jail and booking information, which is contained in inmate searches. There is no federal prison facility in Wayne County, but the county houses the Neuse Correctional Institution, which is a state prison managed by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC).
This facility houses individuals sentenced for state-level offenses or long prison terms, while the county jail handles short-term or temporary holdings. Members of the public can also access inmate information through municipal law enforcement agencies that maintain their arrest records. Local police departments such as the Goldsboro Police Department and the Mount Olive Police Department operate within the two largest cities and conduct arrests. However, these agencies do not publish their rosters as arrestees are transferred to the county jail for housing. The sheriff’s office can be accessed for more information at:
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
207 Chestnut Street
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530
(919) 731-1481 - Main Line
How to Find an Inmate in Wayne County Jail
Wayne County inmate records are generated at the Wayne County Jail, which is operated by the sheriff’s office. The jail is used for temporary housing for trial and housing offenders sentenced for short terms or minor offenses such as misdemeanors. Inmate records are publicly accessible using records requests, which can be submitted in person or made over the phone.
Unfortunately, the county does not have an online searchable inmate register but redirects the public to the VINELink system. This platform allows you to select the state and county you want your search results from and provides updated information about individuals in custody. Members of the public can also make simple inmate inquiries for free by calling the sheriff’s office at (919) 731-1481 or the detention center at (919) 731-1660. Individuals who prefer in-person access can locate the sheriff’s office and county jail at:
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
207 Chestnut Street
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530
(919) 731-1481 - Main Line
Wayne County Detention Center
200 Stronach Avenue
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530
(919) 731-1660 - Main Line
How to Use the Wayne County Jail Roster
Members of the public can access inmate records online using an internet-enabled device and a good internet connection. The county does not maintain its own online inmate roster but relies on the services of the VINELink platform for this. Follow these steps for how to use the Wayne County jail roster:
- Load the North Carolina VINELink website.
- On the starting page, select the Search for Someone box to access the search filters page.
- Select that you are searching for an offender before selecting North Carolina as the state, and subsequently Wayne County.
- This platform uses searches by name and ID Number. Select either of them to access the input textbox.
- Enter the relevant information for the search link to appear below the textbox.
- Click on search and wait for the result.
What Information is Included in the Wayne County Inmate Roster
Wayne County inmate records contain information about individuals who are incarcerated at the Wayne County Detention Center. The inmate roster also provides details about the circumstances of the incarceration. Here are some details contained in a public Wayne County inmate roster:
- Full name - This is the inmate’s first and last name. It can also include their middle initial or middle name and any known aliases.
- Booking number - This is a unique number assigned to each detainee after the booking process. This number represents an ID number for each inmate for their custody period and long-term records storage.
- Charges - The inmate roster will contain a brief description of the offense alleged to have been committed. It describes the general terms of the offense rather than the graphic details of it.
- Housing or unit location - This refers to the assigned cell and block of an inmate. This is usually determined by the nature of the offense, criminal history, and behavior of the inmate.
- Bond amount - This is the amount set for an inmate’s conditional release.
- Custody or release status - This refers to whether an inmate is currently held, has been released, or has been transferred to another facility.
The above details are publicly accessible inmate information, while there are private or sensitive details according to North Carolina's Public Records Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 132). The private details contain personal information and sensitive inmate details that can cause risk of harm. North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4 creates an exemption for records from active criminal investigations and criminal intelligence information. This means that the investigative file from a charge, such as witness statements, detective notes, and evidence logs, is restricted from public access. Other restrictions in Wayne County include juvenile records, sealed or expunged records, and personally identifiable information. While an arrest log may show a sex offender’s arrest details, the sex offender registry will provide more information about the inmate's status.
Contact Details for Wayne County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
207 Chestnut Street
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530
(919) 731-1481 - Main Line
Wayne County Detention Center
200 Stronach Avenue
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530
(919) 731-1660 - Main Line
| Agency | Address | Phone | Hours & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County Sheriff's Office (Administration) | 207 E. Chestnut Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530 | (919) 731-1481 | Mon.–Fri., business hours; main line for records and general inquiries |
| Wayne County Detention Center (Jail) | 200 Stronach Avenue, Goldsboro, NC 27530 | (919) 731-1660 | Staffed 24/7; call to confirm custody status or ask about visitation |
Jail Facility Overview in Wayne County
Wayne County runs a detention system through a set of connected buildings that function as a single jail. The county’s primary detention facility is the Wayne County Detention Center, which is a newly constructed single-level building connected to the Carey A. Winders Detention Center. These two buildings have a combined capacity of 441 beds, and they accommodate male and female detainees. The county jail handles short-term and temporary detentions, such as individuals awaiting trial or offenders sentenced to short terms.
The Carey A. Winders building was opened in 2016 with a capacity of about 218 inmates, while the newer addition was finished in June 2025 and added 220 beds. There is also a state-run facility in Wayne County called the Neuse Correctional Institution. This facility is a minimum and medium security prison that is managed by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
It houses male offenders who are sentenced to state prison time with a capacity of 816 beds. There is no federal prison facility in Wayne County. The county jail also does not house juvenile offenders, as there is a separate procedure for handling such cases. However, the county jail may periodically house federal pretrial detainees under agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service.
| Facility | Address | Operated By | Population / Security | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County Detention Center (incl. Carey A. Winders Detention Center) | 200 Stronach Avenue, Goldsboro, NC 27530 | Wayne County Sheriff's Office | Adult men & women; pretrial + misdemeanant, medium security | ~441 |
| Neuse Correctional Institution | 701 Stevens Mill Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530 | NC Dept. of Adult Correction | Adult men; state-sentenced, minimum/medium security | 816 |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Wayne County Detention Center?
Wayne County inmates can receive money for making commissary purchases. The facility’s commissary provides items like writing supplies, hygiene products, snacks, and phone credit that inmates can buy with money deposited into their accounts. The Wayne County Detention Center processes deposits through the JailATM to the county’s JailCanteen service. Friends and family can make deposits online through the JailCanteen or the JailATM website after creating an account.
Select Wayne County Detention Center in North Carolina and choose the inmate by name or ID number. Select the Trust Fund to deposit an amount into the account. These platforms accept payments using Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. In-person deposits are available at the jail through the lobby kiosks. These on-site terminals make it easy to deposit money into inmate accounts during an inmate visit by a loved one. There is no clear maximum transaction limit, and the JailATM and JailCanteen platforms will display any transaction fees on the screen before you complete the final checkout. Fees will depend on the total amount deposited and the payment method used. Remote depositors can send money orders by mail directly to the county jail with the inmate’s full name and booking number written on it.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
The primary source for inmate searches in Wayne County is the VINELink system. The county sheriff’s office provides access to inmate information in person. Members of the public can also make phone inquiries by calling (919) 731-1660. However, there is no county that manages an online searchable inmate roster. The sheriff’s office suggests the VINELink services as a great option for online searchable access to inmate information.
This platform, and in-person access, will not provide juvenile inmate information to the public. This type of information is restricted to certain individuals. The county also hosts a state facility that can be searched online through the North Carolina DAC’s Offender Public Information Search platform.
| Facility / Custody Type | Separate Search Available? | Where to Look |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne County Detention Center | No — this is the primary county roster covered throughout this guide. | Call (919) 731-1660, or check the Sheriff's Office website. |
| Neuse Correctional Institution (state prison) | Yes — maintained separately by the state, not the county. | NCDAC Offender Public Information Search |
| Juvenile cases | Not published in any public adult roster. | Contact the Clerk of Superior Court, (919) 722-6100. |
Wayne County Visitation Rules and Schedules
Friends and family members are allowed to visit their loved ones who are incarcerated at the Wayne County Detention Center. The detention center has a process that welcomes individuals who provide a valid government-issued ID for every visit. Most adults on an approved visitor list can see an inmate while supervised visits from minor children accompanied by a parent or legal guardian are also allowed. Visitors' lists and approval steps are set at the facility, which requires contacting them ahead of each visit. The dress code requires modest clothing while avoiding items that resemble an inmate uniform, gang-associated colors or symbols, and anything too revealing.
Weapons, outside drinks or food, and cell phones are not allowed in the visitation area, and visitors are expected to remain calm and respectful throughout their stay. Visits can also be done over video call, either on-site or remotely. The length of each visit is limited to a 115 to 30 minutes window. Here is the visitation schedule at the Wayne County Detention Center:
| Visit Type | Days | Hours / Time Blocks | Rules & Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-Site Video (In-Lobby Kiosk) | Monday – Friday | 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | • Appointment required 24 hours in advance • 1 visit per week (15–30 minutes) • Check in at 200 Stronach Ave lobby with ID |
| Remote Video Visit (PayTel) | Monday – Sunday | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | • Scheduled online via PayTel Connect • Fee applies; accessible on personal devices/tablets |
Mailing and Commissary Information | Wayne County Jail
Family members and loved ones can communicate with inmates incarcerated at the Wayne County Detention Center through exchanging of mails. This communication method is practically free for both the sender and the inmate on the receiving end. The mail package must include the individual’s full legal name as it appears in the booking records, along with their booking number.
Items not allowed in the mail package include glitter, glue, tape, perfume, makeup, stickers, makeup marks, lamination, and metallic ink. Books, magazines, and packages will only be accepted if they are sent from an approved publisher or retailer directly. Items like paper clips, staples, and greeting cards with electronic components are not allowed. Personal checks and cash should not be included in a mail package, as they will be returned or rejected. Commissary funds can be deposited by mailing a money order or using the lobby kiosks at the jail facility. These funds can be used to make commissary orders for items like writing materials and snacks. Here is the address for mailing inmates at the Wayne County Detention Center:
Inmate’s Full Name, Booking Number
Wayne County Detention Center
200 Stronach Avenue
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530