Wilmington Jail Roster
The Wilmington jail roster documents all inmates booked at the New Hanover County Detention Facility following arrests by the Wilmington Police Department. Wilmington is the largest city on the North Carolina coast with about 125,000 residents. WPD officers patrol the city from 615 Bess St. After making an arrest, officers transport the person to the New Hanover County Detention Facility at 3950 Juvenile Center Rd in Castle Hayne. The county sheriff's office operates the jail and publishes the roster.
Wilmington Jail Roster Quick Facts
From Wilmington Arrest to Booking
Wilmington Police Department is the city's law enforcement agency. WPD headquarters is at 615 Bess St. The non-emergency number is 910-343-3600. When WPD makes an arrest, the person goes to the New Hanover County Detention Facility in Castle Hayne. The facility sits outside the city limits but serves all of New Hanover County, including Wilmington.
At the jail, staff take fingerprints, a photograph, and personal information from the arrestee. A magistrate reviews the arrest and sets bond. Once booking is complete, the record goes on the Wilmington jail roster. The roster updates as new bookings come in and as inmates leave custody.
The detention facility phone number is 910-798-4200. Call this number to check on a person's custody status at the jail.
Note: The detention facility is located in Castle Hayne, not in downtown Wilmington. Plan accordingly if you need to visit for bond posting or visitation.
Searching Wilmington Inmate Records
The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office at nhcgov.com/sheriff provides an inmate lookup tool. You can search for people on the Wilmington jail roster by name. The results display charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and facility information. The search is free and open to the public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132.
Victim notification is available through VINELink and NC SAVAN. Both services send free alerts when an inmate's custody status changes. Registration is confidential and takes only a few minutes. These tools work for all inmates held at the New Hanover County Detention Facility.
Wilmington Jail Roster Data
Booking records on the Wilmington jail roster are public. North Carolina's Public Records Act under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 guarantees access. No reason is needed to search.
Standard fields on the Wilmington jail roster include:
- Inmate full name and date of birth
- Arrest charges at booking
- Bond amount
- Arresting agency
- Booking date and mugshot
Charges shown are preliminary. The district attorney can modify them. For court outcomes, check nccourts.gov. Court records track cases from filing through final disposition, while the jail roster only shows current custody status.
Wilmington Police Department Contact
WPD serves as the main arresting agency for the Wilmington jail roster. The department handles patrol, investigations, and community programs for the port city. WPD responds to calls across Wilmington's neighborhoods, the downtown area, and the beaches.
| Department | Wilmington Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 615 Bess St, Wilmington, NC |
| Non-Emergency | 910-343-3600 |
| Website | wilmingtonnc.gov/government/departments/police-department |
Call 911 for emergencies. For non-urgent matters, use the non-emergency line. WPD publishes crime maps and public safety data through the city website. Every arrest by WPD creates a booking record on the jail roster at the New Hanover County Detention Facility.
Bond Posting and Visitation
You can post bond at the New Hanover County Detention Facility for someone on the Wilmington jail roster. The jail accepts cash bonds and surety bonds from licensed bondsmen. The facility is at 3950 Juvenile Center Rd in Castle Hayne. Bond amounts are set by the magistrate at booking and can be adjusted by a judge later.
Visitation rules and schedules are set by the sheriff's office. Contact the jail at 910-798-4200 for current visiting hours and policies. Visitors must present valid photo ID. Video visitation options may be available as well. Check the sheriff's website for details before planning a visit.
Wilmington Court Process
After booking, inmates on the Wilmington jail roster must go before a judge. New Hanover County courts handle all criminal cases from the city. The first appearance lets the judge review charges and bond. Misdemeanors are tried in district court. Felonies move to superior court after grand jury indictment.
Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 148, the sheriff keeps pretrial detainees in custody until bond is posted or the court orders release. Court records are available at nccourts.gov. These records show case progress and final outcomes. The Wilmington jail roster and court records together provide a complete view of an arrest from booking through case resolution.
Broader Record Searches
The Wilmington jail roster only covers the New Hanover County Detention Facility. For state prison inmates, use the NC Department of Adult Correction search at dac.nc.gov. The NC Sheriffs' Association at ncsheriffs.org has contact info for all 100 county sheriffs. Public records laws are at ncleg.gov under Chapter 132.
Note: Once an inmate is released from the New Hanover County jail, they may not appear on the online roster. Contact the sheriff's office for historical records.
New Hanover County Jail Roster
Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County. All city arrests go to the county detention facility. The New Hanover County jail roster covers Wilmington as well as other areas in the county. For more details on the county detention facility, visitation, and bond procedures, see the New Hanover County page.