Buncombe County Detention Facility Visiting Hours. How to Schedule a Visit

Location and Getting There

Buncombe County Detention Facility is at 20 Davidson Drive, Asheville, NC 28801. The main phone is (828) 250-4503. For visitation scheduling, call (828) 250-4610 or (828) 250-4557.

Asheville is a mid-size city with hotels, restaurants, and services within a few miles of the facility. If you’re traveling from out of state, check Google Maps for current directions and parking availability.

Visiting Hours

Buncombe County Detention Facility has in-person visits on two days each week:

Day	Morning Block	Evening Block
Monday	No visitation	No visitation
Tuesday	9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.	6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday	No visitation	No visitation
Thursday	9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.	6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Friday	No visitation	No visitation
Saturday	No visitation	No visitation
Sunday	No visitation	No visitation

Visits are scheduled in 20-minute intervals within each block. Call (828) 250-4610 before you travel to confirm hours haven’t changed, especially around holidays.

How to Schedule a Visit

You must schedule at least 24 hours before the visit. Here’s how:

For first-time visitors: Call (828) 250-4610 or (828) 250-4557 to get your name on the approved visitor list and pick a time slot. You can also go to the front desk at 20 Davidson Drive in person.

For returning visitors: Call the same numbers to book a time slot for an upcoming Tuesday or Thursday block.

Don’t show up without scheduling. Walk-in visits are not offered at this facility. Give yourself a buffer and call at least a day before the block you want to attend.

What to Bring

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID every time you visit. Acceptable forms include:

• Driver’s license or state-issued ID card
• U.S. Passport or Passport Card
• U.S. Military ID

Do not bring expired IDs. If your ID is expired, you may be turned away.

Leave all personal items in your vehicle: purses, bags, cell phones, wallets, and anything beyond what you need to show at the front. Lockers or secure storage may not be available.

Dress Code

The official dress code for in-person visits is not published on the Buncombe County Sheriff’s website. Call (828) 250-4610 before your visit to ask about current clothing requirements. As a general rule for any county jail:

• Cover your midriff and avoid low-cut tops
• Wear knee-length or longer skirts and dresses
• Avoid clothing with gang-related imagery, drug or alcohol references, or offensive content
• Wear closed-toe shoes

If you arrive in clothing that staff considers inappropriate, you may not be allowed in. It’s worth a quick call ahead to avoid the trip.

Security Screening

All visitors pass through a security screening before entering. Expect:

• Metal detector screening
• Possible pat-down search
• Staff verification of your ID and scheduled appointment

If you appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will be denied entry and asked to leave the property.

Remote Video Visits Through iWebVisit

Can’t make Tuesday or Thursday? iWebVisit lets you connect with a video call from home, work, or anywhere with internet access.

How to get started:

1. Go to www.iwebvisit.com
2. Create a free account
3. Search for Buncombe County Detention Facility
4. Schedule a video visit session
5. Pay any applicable session fee

Video visits run on a schedule set by the facility. Check iWebVisit for available time slots. This is a good option for family members who live far away or have scheduling conflicts on weekday evenings.

Children Visiting

The official policy for minor children visiting Buncombe County Detention is not published online. Call (828) 250-4610 before bringing a child to confirm:

• Whether children are allowed at in-person visits
• Whether a notarized permission form is needed if the child’s parent is not accompanying them
• Any age restrictions or documentation requirements

Do not assume children are automatically allowed. Get confirmation first.

Special Visits: Clergy and Attorneys

Clergy and attorneys typically have separate access outside regular visiting hours. Contact the facility at (828) 250-4503 to arrange a clergy visit or attorney visit. You will need to show credentials and identification.

What’s Not Allowed During a Visit

• Bringing any item into the visitation area that hasn’t been pre-approved
• Passing anything to the person inside or accepting anything from them
• Cell phones or electronic devices in the visitation area
• Any attempt to introduce contraband into the facility

Introducing drugs, weapons, or other contraband into a correctional facility is a felony under North Carolina law. This applies to visitors, not just people inside.

If Your Visit Gets Denied

If you arrive and are turned away, ask for the reason. Common causes include:

• No scheduled appointment
• Not on the approved visitor list
• ID issues
• Dress code violation
• Arriving while the block is full

Call (828) 250-4610 to ask how to reschedule and, if needed, how to get added to the approved visitor list.

Staying in Touch Between Visits

Visits are only two days a week. Between visits, you can:

• Set up phone calls through Paytel at paytel.com (see the phone calls guide)
• Send letters and photos through TextBehind (see the mail guide)
• Schedule a video visit through iWebVisit on off days