Yancey County Detention Center Visiting Hours. Schedule & Rules

Visit Schedule

Yancey County Detention Center splits visitation by gender. Each group has one weekly in-person visit window.

Day	Who Can Visit	Hours
Saturday	Female inmates	1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Sunday	Male inmates	1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

These are the confirmed hours from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office. Call (828) 682-2124 to schedule your visit before making the trip. The facility may adjust the schedule for holidays, emergencies, or operational needs. Always confirm first.

How to Schedule a Visit

You must schedule your visit by phone before arriving at the facility. Walk-in visits are not confirmed. Here is how to set one up:

Step 1. Call the facility. Call Yancey County Detention Center at (828) 682-2124. Ask for the detention division and let them know you want to schedule an in-person visit.

Step 2. Give them the inmate’s name. Have the full legal name of the person you want to visit ready. They may also ask for the booking number. If you do not have it yet, see the inmate search guide for how to get it.

Step 3. Confirm your visit day. The staff will confirm the schedule for the inmate’s gender and let you know whether a slot is available. Write down everything they tell you.

Step 4. Arrive on time. The facility is in the basement of the Yancey County Courthouse at 1 East Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714. Come a few minutes early. Do not bring prohibited items into the building.

Who Can Visit

Anyone wanting to visit an inmate at Yancey County Detention Center must meet these requirements, as confirmed by the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office:

• You may not have been arrested or incarcerated within the past 30 days.
• Visitors under 18 must be the inmate’s own child, or must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• All visitors must follow the facility’s rules for the visitation area.

If you are unsure whether you qualify under the 30-day rule, call (828) 682-2124 and ask before making the trip. Being turned away at the door is a waste of everyone’s time, and it is better to ask in advance.

What You Cannot Bring Into the Visitation Area

The following items are not allowed in the visitation area at Yancey County Detention Center:

• Handbags or purses
• Cell phones
• Keys
• Weapons of any kind
• Outside food or drinks

Leave these items in your car before entering the courthouse. If you bring a prohibited item inside and do not return it to your vehicle, you may be denied entry or asked to leave. Some facilities allow a small amount of cash for a lobby vending machine, but this has not been confirmed here. Do not assume.

Remote Video Visits Through Inmate Sales

If you cannot make the trip to Burnsville, or if you want to visit on days outside the in-person schedule, remote video visits are available through Inmate Sales at inmatesales.com. Inmate Sales uses Combined Public Communication (CPC) for the phone and video system at Yancey County Detention Center.

How to set up a remote video visit:

Step 1. Go to inmatesales.com. Create a free account with your name, email address, and a password.

Step 2. Search for Yancey County Detention Center. Find the facility in the Inmate Sales system. It may be listed under Yancey County Jail or Yancey County Sheriff.

Step 3. Add the inmate to your contact list. Enter the person’s name or booking number to connect their account to yours.

Step 4. Schedule a visit. Follow the prompts on Inmate Sales to pick a time slot. Some facilities require the person inside to approve the visit request first.

Step 5. Fund your account if needed. Video visits through Inmate Sales may require a prepaid balance. Check within your account before the visit to make sure funds are available.

Step 6. Join at the scheduled time. Use the Inmate Sales app on your phone or tablet, or the website on a computer. You will get a notification when it is time to connect.

For technical questions, call Inmate Sales customer support at 877-998-5678.

Visiting With Children

Children under 18 can visit an inmate who is their parent. They must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or another adult approved by the facility. If a child is being brought by a non-parent adult, call (828) 682-2124 ahead of time to ask what documentation is required. Some jails ask for a birth certificate to confirm the relationship, or a notarized permission form if a non-parent brings the child.

Do not bring a child to the facility without confirming these requirements in advance. The visit can be turned away if the proper documentation is not present.

What Happens During an In-Person Visit

In-person visits at county jails vary by facility design. Yancey County Detention Center is located in the courthouse basement, which is a compact facility. Staff will direct you to the visitation area when you arrive.

During the visit:

• Stay in the designated area and follow staff instructions.
• Do not pass items to the inmate through the visitation barrier.
• Do not attempt to give the inmate any food, money, or personal items during the visit.
• Keep conversation appropriate. Staff may monitor and record visits.
• Do not disclose anything related to a pending legal case. These conversations are not confidential.

If a visit is terminated early due to a rule violation, the facility may suspend future visits. Follow the rules so your next visit is not at risk.

Attorneys and Legal Visits

Attorneys have the right to visit their clients privately and are generally not restricted to the standard visit schedule. If you are an attorney representing someone at Yancey County Detention Center, call (828) 682-2124 to arrange a confidential legal visit and confirm the process.

Before You Drive to Burnsville: Confirm They Are Still There

County jail populations change constantly. Someone you spoke to last week may have been released on bail, transferred to a state facility after sentencing, or moved for a court appearance. Before you make the drive to Burnsville, call (828) 682-2124 or check VineLink at vinelink.vineapps.com/search/NC/Person to confirm the person is still at Yancey County Detention Center. See the inmate search guide for step-by-step instructions.

Parking and Getting There

The facility is inside the Yancey County Courthouse at 1 East Main Street in Burnsville. Burnsville is a small mountain town. Street parking and a courthouse lot are typically available nearby. Give yourself a few extra minutes if you are visiting from out of town or unfamiliar with the area.

Between Visits: Stay Connected by Phone and Mail

Visits happen once a week per gender at most. Between visits, phone calls through Inmate Sales are available and let you hear each other’s voice more often. Letters give the person something physical to hold onto. See the phone calls guide and the mail guide for how both work.