Forsyth County Jail Roster Search
The Forsyth County jail roster tracks inmates held at the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With a population of about 380,000, Forsyth is one of the most populated counties in the state. Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. leads the sheriff's office. The detention center has a capacity of 603 inmates. The jail roster is public and shows names, charges, booking dates, and bond amounts. You can search the Forsyth County jail roster online through VINE or by contacting the sheriff's office.
Forsyth County Quick Facts
Forsyth County Detention Center
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office runs the Law Enforcement Detention Center. This facility can hold up to 603 inmates. It is located in Winston-Salem, the county seat and the largest city in the Piedmont Triad. The detention center holds pretrial detainees, people serving short sentences, and those waiting for transfer to state facilities.
Bookings happen around the clock. When law enforcement arrests someone in Forsyth County, the person is brought to the detention center for processing. Staff record the name, charges, bond amount, and other key details. All of this appears on the Forsyth County jail roster. The facility also handles releases, which are reflected on the roster as they occur. Family members and attorneys can contact the detention center about visitation, mail, and commissary services.
Sheriff Kimbrough has focused on community engagement and transparency during his time in office. The sheriff's office provides victim services to help those affected by crime. These services include safety planning, court accompaniment, and referrals to community resources.
| Agency |
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Winston-Salem, NC Phone: 336-727-2112 |
|---|---|
| Facility | Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center (603 capacity) |
| Website | forsyth.cc/sheriff |
Note: The detention center and the Forsyth Correctional Center are separate facilities run by different agencies.
How to Look Up Forsyth Inmates
There are multiple ways to search the Forsyth County jail roster. Online tools provide the fastest results.
The VINE system lets you search for inmates in any North Carolina county, including Forsyth. Go to the VINE website. Select North Carolina and type the person's name. VINE displays custody status and basic booking data. It updates about every 15 minutes. You can also register for notifications. VINE will contact you if the person's status changes. This is a free service open to everyone.
The NC SAVAN program offers phone access. Dial 1-877-627-2826 any time. The system supports over 100 languages. You can check custody status or sign up for alerts. NC SAVAN covers all 100 counties.
You can also call the Forsyth County detention center at 336-727-2112. Staff can confirm whether a person is on the current jail roster. For in-person inquiries, visit the detention center in Winston-Salem during business hours.
- Search VINE online for real-time jail roster data
- Call NC SAVAN at 1-877-627-2826
- Phone the Forsyth County detention center directly
- Visit in person during business hours
- File a public records request for historical data
Forsyth County Jail Records
Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, jail roster records in Forsyth County are open to public inspection. The law defines public records as any document created or received in connection with government business. The jail roster is such a document. Anyone can ask to see it without providing a reason.
Each jail roster entry shows the inmate's name, date of birth, booking date, charges, bond amount, and scheduled court date. Given the size of Forsyth County, the active jail roster can include hundreds of names at any given time. The 603-bed facility is one of the larger county jails in North Carolina.
For records no longer on the active jail roster, submit a public records request to the sheriff's office. The agency must respond as promptly as possible. There may be a charge for copies. Viewing records in person is generally free.
State Resources for Forsyth County
If an inmate has been transferred from the Forsyth County jail to a state facility, they will no longer appear on the county jail roster. The NC Department of Adult Correction runs an offender search for state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees. This free database goes back to 1972.
The Forsyth Correctional Center is a state prison located in Forsyth County. It is operated by the NC Department of Adult Correction, not the sheriff's office. Inmates at this facility are in the state system, not the county jail roster. Do not confuse the two.
The NC Judicial Branch maintains court records. The NC Sheriffs' Association provides a directory of all 100 sheriffs' offices. The Forsyth County government website links to county departments and services.
Note: The Forsyth Correctional Center is a state prison and its inmates are not listed on the county jail roster.
About Forsyth County
Forsyth County is in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. Winston-Salem is the county seat and the fifth largest city in the state. The city has deep roots in tobacco and textiles. Today, healthcare, education, and financial services drive the economy. Wake Forest University and Atrium Health are major institutions.
The sheriff's office covers the unincorporated parts of the county. Winston-Salem has its own police department. Other municipalities like Kernersville, Clemmons, and Lewisville also have local law enforcement. But all arrests in Forsyth County lead to bookings at the county detention center. Every booking goes on the Forsyth County jail roster. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 15A, arrested persons must see a magistrate promptly. The magistrate determines bond and sets a first court date.
Forsyth County Custody Alerts
Get free alerts when an inmate's status changes on the Forsyth County jail roster. Use VINELink.com or call 1-877-627-2826.
Find the person on VINE. Select your notification method. Set a four-digit PIN. The system will contact you for releases, transfers, and escapes. For escapes, VINE calls every 30 minutes for 24 hours. The inmate will not know you registered. Registration is anonymous and free. This service is valuable for anyone tracking a person on the Forsyth County jail roster.
Nearby Counties
Forsyth County borders several other counties in the Piedmont Triad. If you cannot locate someone on the Forsyth County jail roster, try the counties below.