Catawba County Detention Facility Inmate Search. Find Someone on the Who's In Jail Roster

How to Search

Go to injail.catawbacountync.gov/WhosInJail/ and enter the person’s name. You can search by first name, last name, or both. The roster lists everyone currently in custody at Catawba County Detention Facility.

The search is free. You do not need to create an account or pay to view results.

What the Roster Shows

Catawba County’s Who’s In Jail roster is one of the most detailed public jail rosters in NC. When you find the person, the record includes:

• Mugshot photo
• Full legal name
• Arrest date
• Current charges
• Bond amount
• Upcoming court dates

This level of detail means you often do not need to call the facility for basic status questions. You can see the charges and bond information directly on the roster.

What the Inmate ID Number Is and Why It Matters

When you find someone on the roster, note their inmate ID number. This is the number the facility uses to track each person in custody. You will need it for:

• Money deposits: JailPackStore requires the inmate ID number for every transaction.
• Mail: Your letter to the Greensboro PO Box address must include the inmate ID number on the address line, or it will not be properly matched and delivered.
• Visit scheduling: You may need it when scheduling a Pay Tel video visit at paytelconnect.com.

Do not try to send money or mail without it.

When Records Appear and Disappear

The roster updates regularly, but it is not instant. Keep these timelines in mind:

• Newly booked inmates: May take a few hours to appear after booking. If someone was recently arrested, wait a few hours before checking again.
• Recently released: Inmates who have been released are typically removed from the roster within 24 hours. If you cannot find someone, they may have been released or transferred.
• Transfers: If the person has been transferred to another facility, they will no longer appear on the Catawba County roster.

Why Someone Might Not Appear

If your search comes back empty, there are several possible reasons:

• Too soon after booking. Give it a few hours and search again.
• Name spelling. Try alternate spellings or search by last name only.
• They were released. Releases can happen quickly. Call (828) 465-8999 to confirm.
• They were transferred. Federal holds or state-sentence transfers can move someone to another facility without much notice.
• They are at a different facility. Confirm the person was booked in Catawba County and not taken to a neighboring county jail.

If the search still returns nothing, call the facility at (828) 465-8999. The 24-hour line can confirm whether the person is in custody.

What to Do After You Find Them

Once you confirm the person is at Catawba County Detention Facility and have their inmate ID number, here’s what you can do next:

• Send money through JailPackStore at store.jailpackstore.com. See the send money guide for step-by-step instructions.
• Schedule a video visit through paytelconnect.com. On-site visits run Sunday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Monday through Friday 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. See the visitation guide.
• Set up phone calls through Pay Tel at paytel.com. See the phone calls guide.
• Send mail to the Greensboro PO Box with the inmate ID number on every envelope. See the mail guide.

Using the Roster to Confirm Before a Visit

Before traveling to the facility, always check the roster to confirm the person is still in custody. Transfers, releases, and housing changes can happen without warning. A quick search before you drive saves you a wasted trip.

The roster shows upcoming court dates, which is also helpful for planning your visit around dates when the person may be out of the facility for court.

Court Dates on the Roster

One feature that makes Catawba County’s roster stand out is that it shows upcoming court dates. If you see a court date coming up, be aware that the person may be transported for court and not available for a scheduled video visit that day. Check with the facility at (828) 465-8999 if you have a visit scheduled near a court date.

If the Person Is Not Showing Bond

Some individuals are held without bond or on a bond that is being reviewed. If the roster shows no bond amount, that does not necessarily mean the person will be released soon. It may mean a judge has not yet set bond, or bond has been denied. Contact an attorney or the court for questions about bond status.

Confirming a Transfer

If the person has been transferred, the Catawba County roster will no longer show them. Call (828) 465-8999 to ask which facility they were transferred to. If they are a state-sentenced inmate, they may appear in the NC Department of Adult Correction offender search at ncdps.gov.