Brunswick County Public Records /Brunswick County Inmate Search

Brunswick County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Brunswick County?

Inmate records are official documents maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies that chronicle an individual's custody status, charges, and incarceration history within the Brunswick County detention system. These records are created and managed by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and the Brunswick County Detention Center, serving as the authoritative source of information regarding individuals held in local custody.

Inmate records are distinct from court records. Court records — maintained by the Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court — document the judicial proceedings associated with a criminal case, including indictments, motions, verdicts, and sentencing orders. Inmate records, by contrast, are custody-focused documents maintained by the detention facility itself. They track the physical status of an individual from the moment of booking through release.

The record lifecycle begins at intake, when a person is booked into the facility. At that point, identifying information, charges, and physical descriptors are recorded. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, court appearances, and bond status. Upon release, the record is closed and archived. Under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 153A, counties are authorized to operate and maintain local confinement facilities, and the records generated therein are subject to the state's public records framework.

Brunswick County Sheriff's Office 70 Stamp Act Drive NW Bolivia, NC 28422 (910) 253-2777 Brunswick County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Brunswick County?

Inmate records maintained by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center are generally considered public records under North Carolina law. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, all records made or received in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government are public records and are open to inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Brunswick County Detention Center
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and booking
Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the current custody period
Mugshots (booking photographs) — generally available as part of the booking record
Bond and bail amounts — the amount set by the court or magistrate for pretrial release
Expected release dates — where applicable and available
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is held

Certain information within inmate records may be withheld where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger facility security, or violate specific statutory protections. Juvenile records and records sealed by court order are not subject to public disclosure.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Brunswick County

Inmate records maintained by the Brunswick County Detention Center contain a comprehensive set of data fields organized by category. The following breakdown reflects the standard components of a complete inmate record:

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Race, sex, height, weight, and eye color
State identification number and FBI number (where applicable)
Booking photograph (mugshot)

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency
Current housing assignment within the facility
Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold for another jurisdiction)

Charge Information:

All charges associated with the current booking
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
Statute violated
Offense date

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (secured, unsecured, written promise)
Bond amount set by magistrate or judge
Bond status (posted, unposted, denied)

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date
Assigned court (District or Superior Court)
Case number(s)

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length
Sentence begin date
Projected release date
Credit for time served

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
Receiving agency (if transferred)

Brunswick County Prison System

Brunswick County operates a local detention system designed primarily to house individuals awaiting trial and those serving short-term sentences. The county jail functions as a pre-trial detention facility and also holds individuals sentenced to terms typically not exceeding two years under state structured sentencing guidelines for misdemeanor and lower-level felony offenses.

The county jail is distinct from state correctional facilities operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. Individuals convicted of more serious felonies and sentenced to longer terms are transferred to state prison facilities managed by the Department of Adult Correction, not held at the county level. Brunswick County's local detention operations are administered by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office.

Brunswick County Detention Center 70 Stamp Act Drive NW Bolivia, NC 28422 (910) 253-2777 Brunswick County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours for the Sheriff's Office are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Members of the public seeking inmate information in person are advised to contact the facility directly to confirm current hours of operation.

Types of Correctional Facilities In Brunswick County

Brunswick County's correctional infrastructure consists of the following facility:

Brunswick County Detention Center The Brunswick County Detention Center is the primary local confinement facility serving the county. It is operated by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees, individuals serving misdemeanor sentences, and individuals held on behalf of other jurisdictions or federal agencies pending transfer. The facility is located at the Sheriff's Office complex in Bolivia, North Carolina.

Address: 70 Stamp Act Drive NW, Bolivia, NC 28422
Phone: (910) 253-2777
Operated by: Brunswick County Sheriff's Office
Website: Brunswick County Sheriff's Office

Individuals sentenced to state prison terms are housed at facilities operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, which maintains an offender search tool for locating individuals in state custody.

Who's in Prison In Brunswick County

The Brunswick County Detention Center houses several distinct categories of individuals at any given time. Understanding who is held at the county level — as opposed to the state level — is essential for locating a specific individual.

Individuals currently held at the Brunswick County Detention Center typically include:

Pretrial detainees — persons arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been convicted and are awaiting trial or a court hearing
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to 150 days (or longer in certain cases) at the local facility
Probation and parole violators — individuals held pending a hearing on an alleged violation of supervision conditions
Federal and out-of-county holds — individuals held on behalf of federal agencies (such as U.S. Marshals) or other county jurisdictions awaiting transfer
Immigration detainees — in some cases, individuals held pursuant to an immigration detainer issued by federal authorities

Individuals convicted of Class B1 through Class E felonies and sentenced to active prison terms are not held at the county jail; they are transferred to a North Carolina Department of Adult Correction facility.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Brunswick County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in Brunswick County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:

Online Inmate Search: The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate lookup tool through its official website. Members of the public may search by the individual's name to retrieve current booking information, charges, and bond status.

Visit the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office website
Navigate to the inmate search or detention section
Enter the individual's first and last name
Review the results for booking date, charges, bond amount, and custody status

In-Person Records Request: Members of the public may appear in person at the Brunswick County Detention Center during business hours to request inmate records. Requests should be directed to the records division of the Sheriff's Office.

Address: 70 Stamp Act Drive NW, Bolivia, NC 28422
Phone: (910) 253-2777
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Written Public Records Request: Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, any person may submit a written request for public records to the custodian of those records. Written requests may be submitted by mail or email to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. The agency is required to respond within a reasonable time.

State-Level Search: For individuals who may have been transferred to a state facility, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offender search allows members of the public to locate individuals in state custody by name or offender ID number.

How To Find an Inmate in Brunswick County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are available for locating an inmate held within Brunswick County or the North Carolina state prison system.

Brunswick County Sheriff's Office Online Inmate Search: The Sheriff's Office website provides a free, publicly accessible inmate roster. Members of the public may search by name at no charge through the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office website.
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offender Search: The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains a free online search tool for individuals housed in state correctional facilities.
Phone Inquiry: Members of the public may call the Brunswick County Detention Center at (910) 253-2777 to inquire about an individual's custody status at no cost.
In-Person Inquiry: Members of the public may visit the detention facility in person during business hours to request inmate status information free of charge.
North Carolina Courts Case Search: The North Carolina Courts case search portal allows members of the public to search for case information associated with a specific individual, which may provide supplementary information about custody status.

How To Visit an Inmate In Brunswick County

Visitation at the Brunswick County Detention Center is governed by facility rules established by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. All visitors must comply with applicable regulations to maintain visitation privileges.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor list prior to the visit
Visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification
Visitors are subject to search prior to entering the facility
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

Visit Schedule: Visitation schedules are set by the Brunswick County Detention Center and are subject to change. Members of the public are advised to contact the facility directly at (910) 253-2777 to confirm current visitation days and times before arriving.

What to Bring:

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons of any kind
Controlled substances or alcohol
Unauthorized food or beverages
Cell phones or electronic devices (unless specifically authorized)
Large amounts of cash

Dress Code: Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or contains offensive imagery may result in denial of entry. Specific dress code requirements are enforced at the discretion of facility staff.

Visit Types:

In-person contact or non-contact visits — subject to the inmate's classification and facility availability
Video visitation — the Brunswick County Detention Center may offer video visitation services; members of the public should contact the facility to confirm availability

Visit Restrictions: Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, pending disciplinary proceedings, or for security reasons. Individuals on probation or parole, or those with prior criminal convictions, may be subject to additional screening before being approved as visitors.

How To Send Money to a Brunswick County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account at the Brunswick County Detention Center through approved methods. Inmates use trust account funds to purchase items from the commissary, make phone calls, and cover other authorized expenses.

Approved Methods for Sending Money:

Online deposits — funds may be deposited electronically through the facility's approved third-party service provider; members of the public should visit the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office website for the current approved platform
Kiosk deposits — a deposit kiosk may be available at the facility for cash or card deposits
Money order by mail — money orders made payable to the inmate (including full legal name and booking number) may be mailed to the facility

Amount Limits: Specific deposit limits per transaction or per day may apply and are set by the facility. Members of the public should confirm current limits by contacting the detention center at (910) 253-2777.

Fees: Third-party service providers typically charge a transaction fee for electronic deposits. Fee amounts vary by provider and transaction method.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted
Personal checks are generally not accepted
Funds from unverified or anonymous sources are not accepted

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Inmate trust account funds may be used for commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone calls, and certain approved services. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly from the trust account without a court order or facility authorization.

How To Send Jail Mail In Brunswick County

Members of the public may send written correspondence to inmates held at the Brunswick County Detention Center by following the facility's established mail procedures.

Mailing Address for Inmate Mail: All mail must be addressed to the inmate using their full legal name and booking or inmate identification number:

Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number Brunswick County Detention Center 70 Stamp Act Drive NW Bolivia, NC 28422

Rules for Sending Mail:

All incoming mail is inspected by facility staff before delivery to the inmate
Mail must be written on plain white paper and sent in a standard white envelope
The sender's full name and return address must appear on the envelope
Postcards may be accepted; members of the public should confirm current policy with the facility
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions set by the facility
Books and publications must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from an individual sender
Mail containing contraband, coded messages, threats, or obscene material will be rejected and may result in disciplinary action or criminal referral
Legal mail (correspondence from attorneys) is treated separately and is subject to specific handling procedures to protect attorney-client privilege

Prohibited Items in Mail:

Stickers, glitter, or adhesive materials
Cash, checks, or money orders enclosed in envelopes
Controlled substances or items soaked in any substance
Staples, paper clips, or binding materials

All mail policies are subject to change at the discretion of the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. Members of the public are encouraged to verify current mail rules by contacting the detention center directly at (910) 253-2777 or visiting the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office website.