Winston-Salem Jail Roster
The Winston-Salem jail roster tracks inmates booked at the Forsyth County Detention Center following arrests by the Winston-Salem Police Department. Winston-Salem is the fifth largest city in North Carolina and the county seat of Forsyth County. WSPD patrols the city from 725 N Cherry St. Arrests made by WSPD officers result in bookings at the Forsyth County Detention Center at 201 N Church St, where the sheriff's office maintains the jail roster.
Winston-Salem Jail Roster Quick Facts
How Winston-Salem Arrests Work
The Winston-Salem Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in the city. WSPD headquarters is at 725 N Cherry St. The non-emergency line is 336-773-7700. When officers arrest someone in Winston-Salem, the person is transported to the Forsyth County Detention Center. The county sheriff's office handles all booking at the jail.
During intake, jail staff gather personal information, fingerprints, and a photograph from the arrestee. A magistrate then reviews the case and decides on bond. After booking is complete, the arrest record appears on the Winston-Salem jail roster. The roster changes throughout each day as new bookings happen and as people leave custody.
Note: WSPD does not operate its own jail. North Carolina law under N.C.G.S. Chapter 153A gives sheriffs authority over county detention facilities.
Searching Winston-Salem Inmates
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office website at forsyth.cc/sheriff provides tools to search for current inmates. You can look up people on the Winston-Salem jail roster by name. The search results show charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and facility location. The tool is free and open to the public.
You can also call the Forsyth County Detention Center at 336-917-7600 to check on a person's custody status. Staff will confirm basic information by phone. For victim alerts, register through VINELink or the NC SAVAN system at ncsavan.org. Both services provide free, confidential notifications when an inmate's status changes.
Winston-Salem Jail Roster Records
Every entry on the Winston-Salem jail roster is a public record under the North Carolina Public Records Act, N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can view booking records without providing a reason. The roster shows the inmate's name, charges at the time of booking, bond amount, arresting agency, and booking date.
Charges on the jail roster are preliminary. The district attorney may add or drop charges as the case progresses. For final case outcomes, check the North Carolina eCourts portal at nccourts.gov. Court records provide a full picture of what happened after the arrest, including plea deals, trial verdicts, and sentencing.
The Winston-Salem jail roster and court records serve different roles. The roster shows current custody status. Court records track legal proceedings. Both are public records under state law.
Forsyth County Detention Center
The Forsyth County Detention Center at 201 N Church St holds all inmates from Winston-Salem and the rest of Forsyth County. The facility has about 1,000 beds. It operates around the clock under the sheriff's authority. The detention center handles intake, housing, medical care, and release of inmates.
Visitation at the Forsyth County jail allows two visits per week for each inmate. Check the sheriff's website for the current schedule and rules. Visitors need a valid photo ID. Video visitation may also be available. Contact the jail at 336-917-7600 for current policies.
Posting bond for someone on the Winston-Salem jail roster can be done at the detention center. The jail accepts cash bonds and surety bonds from licensed bail bondsmen. The bond amount set at booking can be adjusted by a judge at a later hearing.
WSPD Contact Information
The Winston-Salem Police Department provides law enforcement for the entire city. WSPD is the arresting agency for most entries on the Winston-Salem jail roster. The department runs patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and community outreach programs.
| Department | Winston-Salem Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 725 N Cherry St, Winston-Salem, NC |
| Non-Emergency | 336-773-7700 |
| Website | cityofws.org/departments/police |
Call 911 for emergencies. For non-urgent matters, use the non-emergency number. WSPD also offers online reporting for certain crimes through the city website. All WSPD arrests lead to bookings at the Forsyth County Detention Center.
Winston-Salem Court Records
After someone is booked onto the Winston-Salem jail roster, their case enters the Forsyth County court system. Misdemeanors go to district court. Felonies go to superior court following grand jury review. The first appearance before a judge usually happens within days of the arrest. At that hearing, the judge can modify bond conditions.
Court records for Winston-Salem cases are available through the eCourts system at nccourts.gov. You can search by name or case number. These records show case status, hearings, and dispositions. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, court records are public and available to anyone.
Additional Record Resources
The Winston-Salem jail roster shows only current inmates at the Forsyth County Detention Center. For broader searches, the NC Department of Adult Correction at dac.nc.gov offers a statewide offender search. The North Carolina Sheriffs' Association at ncsheriffs.org lists sheriff contacts for all 100 counties. Public records laws are in N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 at ncleg.gov.
Note: For historical arrest records from Winston-Salem, contact WSPD records or the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. The online jail roster only reflects current custody.
Forsyth County Jail Roster
Winston-Salem is the county seat of Forsyth County. All city arrests are processed at the Forsyth County Detention Center. The county jail roster covers Winston-Salem plus Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, and other Forsyth County communities. For the full county detention center guide, bond info, and visitation details, visit the Forsyth County page.