The Watauga County Jail is a 98 bed jail in the city of Boone, Watauga County, North Carolina.
This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 828-265-7614, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
Phone: 828-265-7614
Physical Address:
184 Hodges Gap Road
Boone, NC 28607
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Watauga County Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 828-265-7614 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up an offender's Criminal Court Case information online, including the daily court dockets for Watauga County.
Watauga County Jail Inmate Search
The Watauga County Jail maintains an average of 98 offenders in custody on any given day. The Watauga County Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Watauga County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 1,960 offenders.
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INTERESTING FACTS about the Watauga County Jail: Watauga County is located in western North Carolina in the Appalachian Mountain chain. The center is in Boone. The center was built in 1994 and can hold 106 inmates comfortably. Visitation times are dependent upon the housing location for each person. Visitation is on Saturdays and Sundays only.
VISIT YOUR LOVED ONE
Providing emotional support for someone who is incarcerated at the Watauga County Jail is critical to their well-being. Even short visits via remote visitation can be critical for them in getting through the ordeal of being incarcerated. They may have medical needs to inform you of, or they may have complaints about the way they are being treated by the Watauga County Jail staff.
Remote Visitation, in the comfort of your own home is available for most facilities. Visitation hours may be dependent upon the sex of the person and, also dependent upon the section of the facility in which they are housed.
In 2020, COVID stopped in person visitation in all facilities, but some have reinstated in person visitation. Call 828-265-7614 to check the current status of in person visitation in.
See information below for how to register for an account for remote video visitation.
You must submit a picture and government photo ID for facility approval prior to visiting someone in our facility.
If you are doing in person visitation, visitors are subject to search. Dress appropriately. If too much skin is showing, you may be refused visitation rights.
Deposit money online with a debit or credit card by registering with an account. See details below in the Commissary section.
PHONE CALLS AND TABLETS
Money to friends and loved ones may also be used for them to have time for phone calls or time on a tablet for entertainment or educational purposes to better themselves during this time. Also, it may be used for sending texts or emails. See the sections below for details.
Please include the inmates name, ID number, dorm number and cell or bed number if possible, when sending mail.
Inmates do NOT have the right to send mail to one another!
DO NOT SEND lewd photos. All mail will be inspected by authorities and contraband seized.
Books or magazines may be sent if only from a publisher such as direct mailed from Amazon.
See section below for more details on sending mail.
To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Watauga County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 828-265-7614.
There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.
Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.
If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.
Watauga County Jail Booking Roster
After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Watauga County for booking.
Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.
Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Watauga County and other North Carolina and USA jurisdictions.
If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.
It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.
The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.
During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.
Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.
At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.
If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Watauga County Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.
Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.
Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.
If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.
How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Watauga County Jail? What is the Schedule?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Watauga County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-265-7614 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Watauga County Jail?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Watauga County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-265-7614 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Watauga County Jail?
Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person.
Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use a Jail ATM self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Watauga County Jail uses Jail ATM to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. The company charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.
Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union. Call the Watauga County Jail first as they may want you to do this online or at the jail kiosk instead.
Make the Money Order out to the inmate's name and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order.
184 Hodges Gap Road
Boone, NC 28607
Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit with Jail ATM over the Phone by calling 877-810-0914
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #) and full legal name.
To deposit money online for an inmate in Watauga County Jail follow these steps:
For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Watauga County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Watauga County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Watauga County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-265-7614 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Watauga County Jail?
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Watauga County do the following:
1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.
2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.
To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Watauga County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Watauga County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-265-7614 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Watauga County Jail, and what can I send them?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Watauga County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-265-7614 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Watauga County Jail, and what can I purchase?
Search for JailATM services for Watauga County Jail.
Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Watauga County Jail.
Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Watauga County Jail may not allow all of them. Check on the JailATM website to confirm. Services available through JailATM are subject to change with no notice.
Send Gift Packs
Watauga County Jail has an agreement with JailATM, which ships predetermined Gift Packs of candy, snacks and hygiene products to the inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow Gift Packs.
These can be ordered by you online and are delivered directly to the inmate.
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Watauga County Jail follow these steps:
For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Watauga County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Watauga County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Watauga County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-265-7614 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Watauga County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Since Watauga County Jail contracts with JailATM / Prodigy Telephone Solutions. they either already or will soon provide you and your inmate the ability to use their Messaging Service to send and receive electronic messages. Try both Jail ATM & Prodigy. They are in the midst of a merger and one or the other will be handling this jail's account.
Depending on the facility, inmates can either view messages from you by:
Pay for the Prodigy Inmate Messaging Service at Watauga County Jail.
- Online,
- Over the Phone by calling 866-700-4545,
- Using a Kiosk at Watauga County Jail.
Pay for the JailATM Inmate Messaging Service at Watauga County Jail.
- Online,
- Using a Kiosk at Watauga County Jail.
- Over the phone by calling 877-810-0914.
How much does it cost to send and receive messages?
Rates to send messages vary and are subject to change.
The typical cost is $1.00 per message, plus $1.00 per photo and $3.00 per 30 second video when available.
Step 1 - Sign in or create an account to find your facility.
Step 2 - Fund Account
NOTE: By turning on messaging, you will fund your account with $5.00 and authorize Prodigy / Jail ATM to charge your payment method for the same amount if you send a message or receive a collect message and do not have enough money.
To send messages to a Watauga County inmate follow these instructions:
Since Watauga County Jail contracts with JailATM / Prodigy Telephone Solutions. they either already or will soon provide you and your inmate the ability to use their Messaging Service to send and receive electronic messages. Try both Jail ATM & Prodigy. They are in the midst of a merger and one or the other will be handling the Watauga County Jail account.
Pay for the Prodigy Inmate Messaging Service at Watauga County Jail.
- Online,
- Over the Phone by calling 866-700-4545,
- Using a Kiosk at Watauga County Jail.
Pay for the JailATM Inmate Messaging Service at Watauga County Jail.
- Online,
- Using a Kiosk at Watauga County Jail.
- Over the phone 877-810-0914.
For all the information you need regarding messaging a Watauga County inmate at the jail, including how it's done, how much it costs, rules and regulations and more, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: All of your communication with an inmate is recorded. Use discretion in what you discuss.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Watauga County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-265-7614 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the Watauga County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Watauga County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-265-7614 for further assistance.
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What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Watauga County?
This facility, known as "Watauga County Jail" is also known as Watauga County Jail , Watauga County Jail , North Carolina, Watauga.
