Durham County, North Carolina · Live custody, bond and court guide
Durham County Detention Facility Lookup: Find Custody, Charges, Bond and Court Docket
Durham County maintains its own Inmate Population Search for people booked into the Durham County Detention Facility. Unlike many basic jail lists, Durham’s roster can show charge-level information including confinement date, statute description, bond type, bond amount, court docket and release status.
This guide explains exactly how to use that information, what to do when a recent arrest does not appear, how to reach the right court, how 2026 mail rules changed, how SmartInmate visits work, how TouchPay deposits work, and what to check before assuming an inmate has been released.
INMATE POPULATION
UPDATED
BOND
STATUS
Facility
Durham County Detention Facility.
Address
219 S. Mangum St., Durham, NC 27701.
Facility operation
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
High-value feature: Durham’s public inmate list does more than confirm custody. Current entries can show date confined, date charged, date released, statute description, bond type, bond amount, court docket and days in jail for each charge. Save those fields before moving to court or bond research.
Choose the right workflow
What do you need from the Durham County jail roster?
1
Confirm current custody
Start with the Sheriff’s live Inmate Population Search and look for “[incarcerated]” rather than assuming an older booking is current.
2
Find bond and court
Copy every bond line and court docket number because one booking can contain multiple charges with different conditions.
3
Track release or transfer
Look at the Date Released field, then use VINE or contact the jail when the person’s current location is uncertain.
Primary intent
How to use the Durham County Inmate Population Search
The live roster is maintained by the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. It is useful for both custody confirmation and preliminary case routing because each charge can include its own bond and court-docket information.
Open the official inmate population page
Use the Durham County Sheriff’s current inmate list instead of depending on a third-party arrest index.
Find the inmate’s name
Check the full name carefully. Similar names are not enough to establish identity.
Read every charge line
One person can have multiple rows because Durham reports charge information separately.
Check Date Confined and Date Released
A blank release date or “[incarcerated]” indicator helps distinguish current custody from a recently completed jail stay.
Copy every Court Docket number
The docket is the bridge from the jail roster to North Carolina court records.
Copy Bond Type and Bond Amount separately
Do not combine multiple charge rows into one assumed bond amount.
Use VINE when continued tracking matters
Durham’s inmate page links inmate names to VINE for available status notifications.
Search-screen tip: The public inmate page is refreshed regularly, but custody can change between updates. If you are about to pay money, drive to the jail, arrange transportation or make a safety decision, confirm again immediately before acting.
Result decoder
What each Durham County inmate-roster field means
Durham inmate record: field-by-field guide
| Roster field |
What it means |
Best next action |
| Date Confined |
The date associated with the person’s admission into custody for the listed record. |
Compare it with the known arrest date. |
| Date Charged |
The date attached to the listed allegation or charge. |
Use it with the docket number when distinguishing cases. |
| Date Released |
Shows a release date when one has been entered; current records may show the person as incarcerated. |
If release timing matters, verify with the facility. |
| Statute Description |
A short description of the alleged offense attached to that row. |
Use the court docket for fuller case information rather than interpreting an abbreviation alone. |
| Bond Type |
May display secured, unsecured, cash, no bond, N/A or another status depending on the case. |
Read it together with the bond amount and court record. |
| Bond Amount |
Amount displayed for that charge line at the time of the roster update. |
Do not assume this alone guarantees release. |
| Court Docket |
Case identifier used to connect the jail record with the court matter. |
Search it in North Carolina eCourts. |
| Days In Jail / Charge |
Shows time attributed to the charge line in the public roster. |
Do not treat it as a sentence calculation unless confirmed by the court or jail. |
Do not calculate a release date from “Days In Jail.” Holds, multiple cases, court orders, sentence credit and transfers can affect actual release. The public roster is a lookup tool, not a sentencing calculator.
Bond types you may see in Durham inmate records
Durham’s public inmate roster can display several bond labels. The label tells you more than the dollar amount alone.
Secured
A secured bond generally requires the court-approved security arrangement before release can occur.
Unsecured
An unsecured bond does not ordinarily require the listed amount to be paid upfront, but the defendant remains subject to court conditions.
Cash
A cash bond requires the specified cash-bond requirement to be satisfied according to the court’s order.
No Bond
A “NO BOND” roster entry means you should not interpret a $0 display as free release. Court action may be required before release is possible.
N/A or $0
A zero amount or N/A can occur for reasons other than release. Read the bond type and docket together.
Multiple rows
Different charges under the same booking can have different bond statuses. Review all rows before making plans.
Troubleshooting
No Durham County inmate found? Use this decision path
The arrest happened very recently
Intake, identification, magistrate review and record entry may still be occurring.
The name is formatted differently
Check legal surnames, hyphenated names, aliases, maiden names and spelling.
The person was already released
Review recent custody information and call the facility if the online list no longer shows the person.
The arrest occurred outside Durham County
Determine the actual booking county rather than relying only on the city or home address.
The person went to state custody
A person transferred to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction will not remain a normal Durham jail inmate indefinitely.
A federal agency is involved
Federal detention is handled separately from the Durham County roster.
The case exists but the person is not incarcerated
An active criminal docket does not prove current jail custody.
Identity information may be wrong
Do not rely on an arrest rumor or a similar name; confirm with the Sheriff’s Office.
Useful custody-confirmation script
“I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [if known], was booked into the Durham County Detention Facility after an arrest on [date]. I cannot confirm the person on the public roster. Can you tell me whether the person is currently housed there, has been released, or was transferred?”
After arrest
What happens after someone is booked into Durham County Detention Facility?
The detention facility operates around the clock. The building was designed as a direct-supervision facility and places intake/release, criminal magistrates, administration, central control, medical services and programs on the lower levels, with inmate housing above.
Arrival and intake
Arrest documents, identity information and custody records are processed.
Magistrate and charge review
Criminal magistrate functions are located within the detention-facility complex, allowing early judicial processing of new arrests.
Health and safety screening
Medical and classification needs can affect housing, movement and how quickly ordinary communication becomes available.
Classification
Housing assignment is used to separate security and special populations appropriately.
First court proceedings
The case moves through the North Carolina court system while the inmate may remain detained or become eligible for release.
Release, continued detention or transfer
Bond, court order, sentence, hold or transfer determines what happens next.
Durham County Detention Facility facts
Opened
The facility opened in summer 1996.
Original design
576 single cells in a direct-supervision “New Generation Jail” design.
Operating schedule
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Intake / release
Located within the detention facility.
Criminal magistrates
Magistrate functions are located within the complex.
Programs
Educational, vocational, therapeutic, work and self-improvement programs are offered.
Bond workflow
How to handle a Durham County bond result without making an expensive mistake
The public inmate roster is especially useful because it can show a bond type and amount next to each charge. The key is to treat each charge separately.
Open the inmate record
Identify every current charge attached to the confinement record.
Write down each bond type
A person may have secured, unsecured, cash, no-bond or other statuses across different charge rows.
Write down each bond amount
Do not simply use the largest number or add amounts without understanding the court orders.
Copy each court docket
Search the case in North Carolina eCourts to see the current judicial record.
Confirm before paying
Bond can change after a court appearance. Verify the current requirement with the responsible official before transferring money.
Ask about other holds
Resolving one bond may not produce release if another charge, probation matter, warrant, detainer or jurisdiction is holding the defendant.
Wait for actual release processing
A court or bond event does not mean the person is already outside the facility.
Scam warning: Never send cryptocurrency, gift cards or person-to-person cash transfers to someone claiming they can “clear” a Durham jail bond. Confirm instructions through the jail, magistrate, court or a properly authorized bond professional.
Court follow-up
Use the roster’s court docket to find the Durham criminal case
North Carolina now uses the statewide eCourts / Enterprise Justice system in all 100 counties. Durham’s roster gives you a valuable starting identifier: the Court Docket.
Copy the docket exactly
Include all letters, numbers and suffixes shown on the Durham inmate page.
Open North Carolina eCourts Portal
Search court records and court dates through the Judicial Branch system.
Select Durham County when appropriate
This helps prevent confusing a same-name defendant in another North Carolina county.
Compare charge and defendant
Match the court case against the jail roster instead of assuming every same-name case belongs to the inmate.
Look for upcoming court dates
Court dates can move, so recheck near the scheduled appearance.
Call the courthouse if the online record is unclear
The Durham County Courthouse main number is
919-808-3000.
Visitation
Durham County Jail virtual and in-person visiting rules
Virtual visitation through SmartInmate
Current Durham virtual visitation schedule
| Days |
Times |
Platform |
| Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday |
9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4 p.m.–9 p.m. |
SmartInmate |
| Tuesday and Thursday |
Not listed in the Sheriff’s regular virtual schedule |
Check current availability before planning |
How SmartInmate virtual visits work
Create your SmartInmate account
Registration is free. You will need contact information and email or text verification.
Find the Durham inmate
Search the facility and send a connection request.
Wait for connection approval
The incarcerated person must approve the connection request before a visit can be scheduled.
Choose visitation
Select the inmate and available visit type in the SmartInmate account.
Select an available time
Available appointments depend on facility scheduling and housing operations.
Local/on-site SmartInmate visits are free. SmartInmate’s Durham instructions say local visits can be scheduled up to seven days ahead, with available lengths typically determined by the facility.
Durham in-person visitation
Current in-person schedule by housing pod
| Day |
Time |
Housing pods |
| Tuesday |
4:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. |
A and B |
| Thursday |
4:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. |
C and D, except 3C North and South |
Schedule at least 2 days in advance
Do not schedule more than 7 days ahead
Arrive at least 30 minutes early
Late arrival can cancel the visit
Visitors 18+ need valid identification
Under-18 visitors need a parent or guardian
Only approved visitors may enter
Regular visiting session lasts at least 20 minutes
Up to 2 in-person visits per inmate per month
Up to 3 visitors per visitation period
Maximum 1 visitation period per day
Cancel at least one day ahead
Holiday rule: Durham’s current Sheriff’s page states that in-person visitation is not available on Durham County holidays. The schedule is also subject to change without notice.
Money & commissary
How to send money to a Durham County Jail inmate
Durham County uses TouchPay for electronic inmate deposits. The critical numbers to save are the inmate’s ID/JCA number and the detention facility number 227701.
Durham County inmate deposit methods
| Method |
Availability / payment |
What you need |
| TouchPay online |
24 hours a day; service fee applies |
Inmate ID/JCA + facility number 227701 |
| Lobby kiosk |
24 hours / 7 days |
Correct inmate identity; kiosk accepts cash and supported payment methods |
| TouchPay phone |
24 hours a day |
Call 866-232-1899; inmate ID/JCA + facility number 227701 |
| Mail |
Cashier’s check or money order only |
Send to DCSO Money Intake, not the personal-mail address |
Cash deposit advantage: Durham’s official inmate-funds page says cash deposits can be made at the lobby kiosk without a charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Commissary and iCare
Residents have access to commissary for approved items and snack foods. Family or friends may fund the account or use iCare to order qualifying gift packages.
Get the inmate number first
The Sheriff’s commissary page says you can obtain the inmate number by calling the detention center.
Use facility ID 227701
Enter this number when TouchPay asks for the Durham County Detention Facility ID.
Verify inmate identity
Check the name and inmate number before authorizing a payment.
Review the provider fee
TouchPay applies a service fee to electronic deposits.
Save the transaction confirmation
Keep the amount, date and confirmation number in case the deposit needs to be traced.
Major 2026 change
Durham County Jail mail changed on June 9, 2026
Durham County introduced a major personal-mail change effective June 9, 2026. Letters, cards, pictures, drawings and other personal correspondence are now processed offsite by Smart Communications using a mail-scanning system.
Do not send ordinary personal mail to the old Durham jail correspondence address. The Sheriff’s Office says personal mail received at the previous address is returned to the sender after the June 9, 2026 transition.
New personal-mail address
Use recipient’s name
Include recipient ID number
Use the Seminole, Florida processing address
Letters are scanned for digital delivery
Do not include cash
Do not include checks
Do not include money orders
Use the separate Durham address for legal mail, books and packages
Legal mail, books and packages
These items still go to the Durham mailing address and must include the inmate’s first, middle and last name.
Three addresses, three different purposes: personal mail goes to PO Box 9173 in Seminole, Florida; legal mail/books/packages use PO Box 771 in Durham; money orders and cashier’s checks for inmate funds use DCSO Money Intake, PO Box 544.
Calls
Durham inmate phone accounts: PrePaid vs PIN
Smart Communications provides outgoing telephone service for Durham County Detention Facility residents. The Sheriff’s Office explains two account models.
PrePaid Account (PPA)
The money is tied to a specific outside telephone number, such as your cell or home phone. An incarcerated person calling that funded number can use the available prepaid balance.
PIN Account
The money belongs to a specific incarcerated person, who can use that balance to call approved telephone numbers subject to facility rules.
Simple choice: Fund a PrePaid account when your goal is to receive calls at one specific number. A PIN account is more appropriate when you want the incarcerated person to have calling funds that can be used for approved contacts.
Do not confuse phone money with commissary money. Smart Communications phone funds and TouchPay inmate-account deposits serve different purposes.
Inside the facility
Medical, classification, grievances and Durham jail programs
Durham’s detention-services description confirms that medical services, classification, grievance procedures, discipline hearings, recreation and rehabilitation programming are part of facility operations.
Medical
Medical functions are located within the detention complex and health needs are part of intake and ongoing custody operations.
Classification
Housing classification is used to separate populations and manage security and special needs.
Grievances
Durham lists grievance procedures among the services available within detention operations.
Programs currently identified by Durham County
STARR substance-abuse and recidivism-reduction program
Sexual offender treatment group
ABE / GED classes
Literacy tutoring
Vocational classes
Electronic house arrest
Work release
Work details
Work programs
Religious services
AA / NA meetings
Pretrial screening
Program availability is not guaranteed to every inmate. Eligibility can depend on classification, sentence status, court order, housing, health, staffing and other facility requirements.
Release & transfer
How to tell whether a Durham inmate was released or transferred
A Date Released appears
The inmate population page may show the date the person left the listed confinement record.
The person disappeared from current custody
Call the jail before assuming freedom; transfer can also remove a person from a local roster.
The court case is still active
Release from jail does not terminate the criminal case.
State custody may have started
A sentenced person may move into North Carolina state correctional custody.
Another jurisdiction has a hold
A person can leave Durham custody and still remain incarcerated elsewhere.
You need ongoing notifications
Register through VINE instead of repeatedly refreshing the Durham roster.
Property at release: Durham’s inmate-funds page states that release debit cards are provided at release by the Property Division for applicable inmate funds.
Pickup planning: Do not rely on a bond payment time as a guaranteed physical release time. Court paperwork, other holds, property processing and internal release procedures can delay departure.
VINE
Get notified when a Durham inmate’s status changes
Durham’s official inmate population page connects inmate names with VINE — Victim Information and Notification Everyday. The system is useful when you need custody notifications rather than manual roster checking.
Open the Durham inmate population list
Locate the correct person.
Select the inmate’s name
Durham’s public page routes users toward VINE for notification registration.
Verify the inmate
Use identifying case and custody details before registering.
Select available notification methods
Follow the options presented by VINE for that custody record.
Keep your safety plan separate
Automated alerts are useful but should not replace emergency or protective planning.
Immediate danger: Call 911. Do not depend on an automated custody-notification system when there is an urgent threat.
Durham jail, Sheriff and court contact directory
Call the office that matches the problem
| Need |
Office |
Current contact |
| General Sheriff information |
Durham County Sheriff’s Office |
919-560-0897 |
| Detention services |
Durham County Detention Facility |
919-560-0912 |
| Emergency |
Emergency / Sheriff’s Communications |
911 or 919-560-0900 |
| Court case / court date |
Durham County Courthouse |
919-808-3000 |
| TouchPay telephone deposit |
TouchPay |
866-232-1899 |
| TouchPay issue / complaint |
TouchPay Customer Service |
866-204-1603 |
| Detention administration |
Detention Programs & Administration |
919-560-0912 |
| Detention security |
Detention Security Services |
919-560-0962 |
Durham County Detention Facility map and arrival guide
Do not go to the wrong building: the Detention Facility is at 219 South Mangum Street; the Durham County Courthouse is at 510 South Dillard Street. A jail visit, inmate deposit, criminal court hearing and court-record question can require different destinations.
Recheck inmate status before leaving home
Save the inmate or recipient ID number
Save all court docket numbers
Know whether your task is at the jail or courthouse
Bring valid ID for an in-person visit
Arrive 30 minutes early for scheduled in-person jail visitation
Official action links
Use these portals only when you need a live action
The important rules and instructions are explained above. These external systems remain necessary because live custody, court search, visitation scheduling, deposits and notifications cannot be completed on an informational page.
Family and notification services
2026 source review: Jail-search fields, detention contact information, 2026 mail changes, visitation schedules, TouchPay procedures, phone-account structure, facility facts and Durham court information were checked against current Durham County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina Judicial Branch resources on August 28, 2026. Live jail, court, bond and provider information can change.
10 search-focused FAQs
Durham County Jail inmate search FAQs
How do I search for an inmate in Durham County Jail?
Use the official Durham County Sheriff’s Inmate Population Search. The current roster displays inmate names and charge-level details. If a recent arrest is not yet clear, call the Sheriff’s Office at 919-560-0897 or Detention Services at 919-560-0912.
Where is the Durham County Detention Facility?
The detention facility is at 219 South Mangum Street, Durham, NC 27701. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What information appears in the Durham inmate roster?
Current records can show Date Confined, Date Charged, Date Released or incarcerated status, Statute Description, Bond Type, Bond Amount, Court Docket and Days In Jail/Charge.
How do I schedule a Durham County Jail visit?
Virtual visits are scheduled through SmartInmate. Durham currently lists virtual visitation Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4 p.m.–9 p.m. In-person visits use a separate schedule and advance-booking rules.
What are Durham County Jail in-person visitation hours?
The current schedule lists Tuesday from 4 p.m.–7:30 p.m. for Pods A and B and Thursday from 4 p.m.–7:30 p.m. for Pods C and D, except 3C North and South. In-person visits are unavailable on Durham County holidays.
How do I send money to a Durham County Jail inmate?
Use TouchPay online, the 24-hour lobby kiosk, or call 866-232-1899. You need the inmate ID/JCA and facility number 227701. Cashier’s checks and money orders can also be mailed to DCSO Money Intake, PO Box 544, Durham, NC 27702.
What is the Durham County Jail mailing address for personal mail?
Effective June 9, 2026, send personal correspondence to the recipient name and recipient ID number, c/o Mail Processing Center, PO Box 9173, Seminole, FL 33775-9173. Legal mail, books and packages use PO Box 771, Durham, NC 27702.
How do inmate phone accounts work at Durham County Jail?
Smart Communications provides outgoing phone service. A PrePaid Account is tied to a particular outside phone number; a PIN Account belongs to a specific incarcerated person and can be used for approved calls subject to facility rules.
How do I find a Durham County inmate’s court date?
Copy the Court Docket from the inmate roster and search North Carolina’s eCourts Portal. The Durham County Courthouse is at 510 South Dillard Street and can be reached at 919-808-3000.
How can I receive notification when a Durham inmate is released?
Durham’s official inmate page links inmate names to VINE. Use VINE to register for available custody-status notifications rather than repeatedly checking the roster manually.
