Swain County Jail

Search for an Inmate in Swain County

Swain County Jail Information

The Swain County Jail is a 109 bed jail in the city of Bryson City, Swain 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 828-488 4844, 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: 828-488 4844

Physical Address:
95 Brendle Street
PO Box 1398
Bryson City, NC 28713

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's first and last name
c/o Swain County Jail
PO Box 1398
Bryson City, NC 28713

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the Swain County Jail?

To search for an inmate in the Swain 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 828-488 4844 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 Swain County.

Swain County Jail Inmate Search

The Swain County Jail maintains an average of 109 offenders in custody on any given day. The Swain 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 Swain County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 2,180 offenders.

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About the Swain County Jail

INTERESTING FACTS about the Swain County Jail: Built in 2010  Swain’s has 109 beds. The Swain County Jail Reconnections Program is a prisoner re-entry program started in 2015. It has provided wrap-around services to meet the many needs of over 1310 men and women previously incarcerated in Swain County Jail and released from Swain County Jail on probation and parole. Swain County is located in western NC Four rivers flow through the mountainous terrain of Swain County: the Nantahala, Oconaluftee, Tuckaseegee and the Little Tennessee.

VISIT YOUR LOVED ONE  

Providing emotional support for someone who is incarcerated at the Swain 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 Swain 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 828-488 4844 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.

Visitation Center Hours: See in section below.

COMMISSARY

Help your friend or loved one get through this difficult time by adding funds for them to get items in the commissary. Note: You must have the inmate's ID number in order to add money to an account in the kiosk of the lobby. They are responsible for purchasing their own items. CASH ONLY in the lobby! Posts immediately for use. See other ways to deposit commissary below. Cash is available immediately but money orders may take longer to post.

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.

MAIL

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.

 

 

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Swain County Jail?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Swain County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 828-488 4844.

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.

Swain County Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Swain County?

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 Swain 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.

What is the booking process like at the Swain County Jail?

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 Swain 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.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

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.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

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.

What happens after booking?

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 Swain 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.

How long does the Swain County Jail Booking process take?

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.

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Directions / Map to the Swain County Jail
Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Swain County Jail? What is the Schedule?

Register for Remote Video Visitation with your inmate at the Swain County Jail by going here.


Once you register, choose the option for 'Video Calls' or Video Visists and you will be prompted for the information required, which will include copies of your state issued ID and more. 
For help with signing up and using the inmate visitation app, go here to get your questions answered.
Note: While JailATM also offers the following inmate services, Swain 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.
You Can Send Money
Swain County Jail may have an agreement with JailATM so that you can deposit money online or using the kiosk in the jail lobby.
You Can Send Gift Packs
Swain County Jail may have 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.

You Can Email Inmate
Swain County Jail may have an agreement with JailATM which handles secure messaging between you and your inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow emailing your inmate.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Swain County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-488 4844 for further assistance.

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Remote Video Visitation

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Swain County Jail?

Register for Remote Video Visitation with your inmate at the Swain County Jail by going here.


Once you register, choose the option for 'Video Calls' or Video Visits and you will be prompted for the information required, which will include copies of your state issued ID and more. 
For help with signing up and using the inmate visitation app, go here to get your questions answered.
Note: While JailATM also offers the following inmate services, Swain 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.
You Can Send Money
Swain County Jail may have an agreement with JailATM so that you can deposit money online or using the kiosk in the jail lobby.
You Can Send Gift Packs
Swain County Jail may have 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.

You Can Email Inmate
Swain County Jail may have an agreement with JailATM which handles secure messaging between you and your inmate. Check the JailATM website to see if they allow emailing your inmate.

Customer Support: 877-810-0914.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Swain County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-488 4844 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Swain County Jail?

There are FOUR options for putting money on an inmate's books:

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
Swain 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 Swain 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.
95 Brendle Street
PO Box 1398
Bryson City, NC 28713


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.

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate in Swain County

To deposit money online for an inmate in Swain County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register to open an account, or Sign In to JailATM, a service that acts as a bank for inmates in Swain County.
  • After registering and signing in, select 'Send Money Now'.
  • Choose North Carolina, then choose Swain County Jail
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate.
  • Input an amount to deposit to your inmate in Swain County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much money you can send your inmate in Swain County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914.

For all information, tips and procedures for sending money to an inmate in Swain County Jail, or depositing money at the jail, over the phone or by mail, check out our Send Money Page for Swain County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Swain County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-488 4844 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Swain County Jail?

How Do Inmates in Swain County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Swain County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

  • Swain County Jail uses the services of a company named Inmate Sales.
  • Register with them online or call them at 877-998-5678
  • Agents are available M-F from 8:00 AM - 12:00 midnight EST, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and speak both English & Spanish.
  • Services for Swain County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.

iphone app
Google Play app

For all the information regarding phone calls with Swain County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Swain County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-488 4844 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Swain 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 Swain County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-488 4844 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Swain County Jail, and what can I purchase?

JailATM – Send Money or Send Commissary Gift Packs to Swain County Jail

Search for JailATM services for Swain County Jail.

Make an inmate deposit with JailATM for Swain County Jail. 

Note: While JailATM offers the following inmate services, Swain 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

Swain 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.

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Swain County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Swain County Jail follow these steps:

  • Go to JailATM, choose North Carolina, then choose Swain County Jail
  • Type in your inmate's last name or their Inmate ID.
  • Select your inmate, and then you will be prompted to Register with them to open an account.
  • Select the products you want shipped to them at Swain County Jail, and then input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Swain County at any one time.
  • If you need to phone customer support, call 877-810-0914

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages or sending money to an inmate in Swain County Jail check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Swain County.


 

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Swain County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-488 4844 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Swain County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Since Swain County Jail contracts with JailATMProdigy 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:

  • Viewing it on a device at the jail,
  • Viewing it on a Kiosk in their unit,
  • Print it out, and/or
  • Respond electronically.

Pay for the Prodigy Inmate Messaging Service at Swain County Jail.
- Online,
- Over the Phone by calling 866-700-4545,
- Using a Kiosk at Swain County Jail.
Pay for the JailATM Inmate Messaging Service at Swain County Jail.
- Online,
- Using a Kiosk at Swain 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.

How Do You Send Text or Email Messages to an Inmate in the Swain County Jail?

To send messages to a Swain County inmate follow these instructions:

Since Swain 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 Swain County Jail account.
 
Pay for the Prodigy Inmate Messaging Service at Swain County Jail.
- Online,
- Over the Phone by calling 866-700-4545,
- Using a Kiosk at Swain County Jail.
Pay for the JailATM Inmate Messaging Service at Swain County Jail.
- Online,
- Using a Kiosk at Swain County Jail.
- Over the phone 877-810-0914.

For all the information you need regarding messaging a Swain 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 Swain County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-488 4844 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Swain 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 Swain County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 828-488 4844 for further assistance.

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Other Jails Nearby

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Swain County?

Swain Macon Jackson Haywood Graham Blount Sevier
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Search for an Inmate in Swain County

This facility, known as "Swain County Jail" is also known as Swain County Jail , Swain County Jail , North Carolina, Swain.