NC Department of Corrections Inmate & Offender Search
NC Department of Corrections Inmate Search & Offender Search 2026 Guide
- Verified by: [DepartmentOfCorrections.org Research Team]
- Last Updated: January 26, 2026
If you are looking for an inmate in North Carolina, you might be confused by the name change. For years, it was called NCDPS (Department of Public Safety). Recently, it split into a new agency: the NC DAC (Department of Adult Correction).
While the name changed, the rules for families got stricter.
If you send a letter directly to the prison in 2026, it will be destroyed. If you try to visit without being on the “Approved List” first, you will be turned away.
This guide is the internet’s most practical, manually verified resource for navigating the NC prison system.
Part 1: The Official NC DAC Inmate Search
Do not use “background check” sites that ask for your credit card. North Carolina provides a free, public database that goes back to 1972.
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Official Tool: NC Offender Public Information Search
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Direct Link: Search the Official NC DAC Database Here
Step-by-Step Search Instructions
The search tool is powerful, but it has a few quirks. Here is how to find who you are looking for:
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Enter the Name: Use the Last Name and First Initial.
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Why? The system is very sensitive to spelling. If you search “Christopher” but he was booked as “Chris,” you will get zero results. Searching “C” finds both.
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Select “Offender Status” (Crucial Step):
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Active: Choose this to find someone currently in prison.
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Inactive: Choose this to find release records (historical data).
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Probation/Parole: Choose this if they are home but supervised.
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The “OPUS” Number: If you see a number labeled OPUS Number, write it down. This is their permanent ID. You will need this number to send money or mail.
Researcher Note: The database usually updates overnight. If someone was transferred from a county jail to a state prison today, they may not appear on this list for 24-48 hours.
Part 2: The “TextBehind” Mail Rule (Do Not Skip)
This is the #1 mistake families make. You cannot mail personal letters to the prison anymore.
To prevent drugs (like K2/Spice) from entering facilities on soaked paper, North Carolina requires all personal mail to be sent to a third-party processing center in Maryland.
The Process:
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You mail the letter to Maryland.
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The company (TextBehind) scans the letter.
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The inmate receives a digital copy on their tablet or a printed copy in their cell.
The ONLY Address You Should Use:
[Inmate Name] and [OPUS Number] [Name of the NC Prison] (Write full name, do not abbreviate!) P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
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Warning: If you send a birthday card directly to the prison in NC, it will be returned to you or shredded.
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Legal Mail: Mail from attorneys is exempt. It can go directly to the facility but must be clearly marked “Legal Mail.”
Part 3: Sending Money (ConnectNetwork vs. JPay)
North Carolina’s vendor system is split, which confuses many people. You use one company to deposit money and a different company for email.
To Send Money (Trust Fund / Commissary)
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The Vendor: ConnectNetwork (by ViaPath/GTL).
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Official Site: ConnectNetwork.com.
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What it pays for: Snacks, hygiene items, and shoes.
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Fees: $3.00 – $6.00 per transaction.
To Send Email / Media
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The Vendor: GettingOut (also by ViaPath).
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The App: Download the “GettingOut” app.
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What it pays for: Messages to the inmate’s tablet, photo sharing, and short video clips.
Part 4: Visitation Rules (In-Person & Video)
You cannot just “walk in” to a North Carolina prison. The process takes weeks.
Step 1: The Application (The “Hard Copy” Rule)
There is no online application.
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The inmate must mail YOU a blank application form.
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You fill it out and mail it back to the specific prison.
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Wait Time: Background checks take 30-90 days.
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Status: You must wait for the inmate to tell you that you are approved. The prison will not call you.
Step 2: Scheduling the Visit
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In-Person: Once approved, you must call the facility directly to schedule. Most facilities require you to call 3-7 days in advance.
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Tip: Do not call on Mondays (busiest day). Call Tuesday-Thursday.
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Video Visitation: This is done via the GettingOut app. You can do this from home.
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Cost: Inmates get a few free minutes per week; extra time costs money.
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Dress Code: Yes, even for video.
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If you appear on camera in a tank top, swimsuit, or revealing clothing, the officer monitoring the call will terminate the connection and ban your account.
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Part 5: Troubleshooting “Missing” Inmates
If you searched the NC DAC database and found nothing, the person is likely in one of these two places:
1. County Jail (The “Arrest” Phase)
If they were arrested recently (last few days/weeks) and haven’t been sentenced yet, they are not in the state system. They are in the custody of the County Sheriff.
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Search Tip: Go to Google and search:
"[County Name] Inmate Search". -
Common Searches: Mecklenburg County Sheriff, Wake County Detention, Guilford County Jail.
2. Federal Prison (BOP)
If the crime involved crossing state lines, drug trafficking, or internet fraud, they might be in Federal custody.
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Search Tool: Federal BOP Inmate Locator.
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NC Federal Prisons: FCI Butner, FCI Edgefield (border), etc.
Part 6: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I send books to an inmate in NC? A: Yes, but not from home. You must order the books directly from an approved publisher like Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
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Rule: The package must contain only books (no other items) and the shipping label must say “Amazon” (or the vendor). Do not send hardcover books; most NC prisons only allow paperbacks.
Q: How do I find their release date? A: Use the NC DAC Search Tool. Look for “Projected Release Date.”
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Note: This date changes based on “Good Time” credits. It is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Q: What is “Work Release”? A: Some low-risk inmates in NC are allowed to leave prison during the day to work a job and return at night. If the status says “Work Release,” they are still in custody but have day privileges.
