Tyrrell County Jail & Sheriff

INTERESTING FACTS about the Tyrrell County Jail: Tyrrell is NC’s least populous county. The Sheriff’s office has a temporary holding cell at the 405 Main Street Columbia address, but more long term inmates are held at the nearby work farm. This facility has an administration building, central complex buildings comprised of food service, staff offices, visiting area, clothes house and central control office, and produce warehouse. There are 10 offender housing areas, 10 day rooms, two canteens, 10 shower and bathroom areas, medical and programs departments, barber shop, library, classroom, chaplain's office and two control rooms. The facility is considered a work camp.

VISIT YOUR LOVED ONE  

Providing emotional support for someone who is incarcerated at the Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County Jail & Sheriff 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 252-796-2251 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.

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

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Tyrrell County Jail & Sheriff, call the jail’s booking line at 252-796-2251.

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.

Tyrrell County Jail & Sheriff Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County Jail & Sheriff?

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 Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County Jail & Sheriff 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 Tyrrell County Jail & Sheriff 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.