Hoke County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In Hoke County?
Inmate records in Hoke County are official documents created and maintained by the Hoke County Sheriff's Office and its detention facility to document the custody, status, and history of individuals held in local correctional custody. These records are distinct from court records: the Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court maintains case files related to criminal proceedings, while the Sheriff's Office and jail staff maintain custody records that track an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.
The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the Hoke County Detention Center. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record bond conditions, and photograph the individual. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, court appearances, and sentence status. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with applicable retention schedules.
Under § 132-1 of the North Carolina General Statutes, "public records" are defined broadly to include all documents made or received by any agency of North Carolina government in the transaction of public business. Custody records maintained by county detention facilities fall squarely within this definition.
Hoke County Sheriff's Office 226 N. Main St., Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-5111 Hoke County Sheriff's Office
Are Inmate Records Public In Hoke County?
Inmate records maintained by the Hoke County Sheriff's Office are generally accessible to members of the public under North Carolina's public records law. Pursuant to § 132-6 of the North Carolina General Statutes, every custodian of public records shall permit any person to inspect and examine the records at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision. This statutory framework applies to county detention facilities, meaning that basic custody information is presumptively open to public inspection unless a specific exemption applies.
The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to the public in Hoke County:
- Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Hoke County Detention Center
- Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
- Charges filed — the specific criminal charges for which the individual is being held
- Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
- Bond and bail amounts — the conditions and dollar amounts set for pretrial release
- Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
- Housing facility — the name and location of the facility where the individual is detained
Certain information may be withheld where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a witness, or fall within another recognized statutory exemption. The Legal & Justice resources on NC.gov provide additional guidance on accessing court records, criminal background information, and related public documents statewide.
What's Included in Inmate Records in Hoke County
Inmate records maintained by the Hoke County Detention Center contain multiple categories of information compiled from the point of booking through final disposition of custody.
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Race, sex, height, and weight
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- State identification number and FBI number where assigned
Custody Information:
- Date and time of booking
- Arresting agency and arresting officer
- Current housing unit and cell assignment
- Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold for another jurisdiction)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges and applicable North Carolina General Statute citations
- Charge severity (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
- Offense date and jurisdiction
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (secured, unsecured, written promise to appear)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond conditions imposed
Court Information:
- Next scheduled court date and court location
- Case number assigned by the Clerk of Superior Court
- Presiding judicial district
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Length of sentence imposed
- Sentence begin date
- Earned time and good behavior credits where applicable
Release Information:
- Actual or projected release date
- Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
- Supervising agency upon release, if applicable
Hoke County Prison System
Hoke County operates a local detention facility administered by the Hoke County Sheriff's Office. The Hoke County Detention Center serves as the primary facility for pretrial detainees awaiting court proceedings and for individuals serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor convictions. This structure is consistent with the standard two-tier correctional model in North Carolina: county jails handle short-term and pretrial custody, while the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction manages state prisons for individuals sentenced to terms exceeding one year for felony offenses.
Individuals sentenced to state prison are transferred from the county detention center to a facility designated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, which maintains its own separate records system for state prisoners. County jail records and state prison records are maintained independently and must be requested from the respective custodial agency.
Hoke County Detention Center 226 N. Main St., Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-5111 Hoke County Sheriff's Office
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction 4201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4201 (919) 838-4000 NC Department of Adult Correction
Types of Correctional Facilities In Hoke County
Hoke County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:
Hoke County Detention Center 226 N. Main St., Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-5111 Hoke County Sheriff's Office
The Hoke County Detention Center is a county-operated facility under the direct supervision of the Hoke County Sheriff. It houses pretrial detainees, individuals serving short-term misdemeanor sentences, individuals held on immigration detainers, and persons awaiting transfer to state correctional facilities. The facility operates around the clock and is staffed by certified detention officers employed by the Sheriff's Office.
Individuals convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to terms of more than one year are transferred to facilities operated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. The Department maintains multiple prisons throughout the state, and placement is determined by classification, security level, and available capacity. Members of the public may use the criminal offender search tool maintained by the Department of Adult Correction to locate state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders.
Who's in Prison In Hoke County
The Hoke County Detention Center holds several distinct populations at any given time. Understanding which individuals are housed at the county level assists members of the public in directing records requests to the appropriate agency.
The following categories of individuals are typically held in the Hoke County Detention Center:
- Pretrial detainees — persons arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been convicted and who are unable to meet bond conditions set by the court
- Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year
- Probation and parole violators — individuals held pending a hearing on alleged violations of supervision conditions
- Federal and immigration holds — individuals detained at the request of federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Awaiting transfer — individuals convicted of felony offenses who are pending transfer to a North Carolina state prison
- Bench warrant holds — individuals arrested on outstanding bench warrants issued by a court
Individuals who have been transferred to state custody are no longer reflected in the county detention roster and must be located through the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction's offender search system.
How To Search for Inmate Records In Hoke County in 2026
Members of the public may search for inmate records in Hoke County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:
Step 1 — Online Inmate Roster The Hoke County Sheriff's Office may maintain a current inmate roster on its official website. Members of the public may visit the Hoke County Sheriff's Office website to check for an online search tool. Where available, searches may be conducted by the individual's full name or booking number.
Step 2 — Telephone Inquiry Members of the public may contact the Hoke County Detention Center directly at (910) 875-5111 during regular business hours to inquire about the custody status of a specific individual. Staff will confirm whether a named individual is currently in custody and may provide basic booking information.
Step 3 — In-Person Records Request Pursuant to § 132-6 of the North Carolina General Statutes, members of the public may appear in person at the Hoke County Sheriff's Office during business hours to inspect public custody records. The public counter is located at 226 N. Main St., Raeford, NC 28376, and is generally open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Step 4 — Written Public Records Request A written request for specific inmate records may be submitted by mail or in person to the Hoke County Sheriff's Office. The request should identify the individual by full name and date of birth and specify the records sought.
Step 5 — State-Level Search For individuals who may have been transferred to state custody, members of the public may use the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction's offender search system to locate state prisoners and obtain custody information.
Step 6 — Court Records For case-related documents, members of the public may contact the Hoke County Superior Court or submit a request for a certified criminal background check through the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
How To Find an Inmate in Hoke County for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in Hoke County or in North Carolina state custody.
- Hoke County Sheriff's Office — Telephone Inquiry: Members of the public may call (910) 875-5111 at no charge to inquire about an individual's custody status at the Hoke County Detention Center.
- In-Person Inspection: Under North Carolina's public records law, inspection of public records at the custodian's office is available at no cost. Members of the public may visit 226 N. Main St., Raeford, NC 28376, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Search: The criminal offender search provided by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction is a free online tool that allows members of the public to search for county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders by name.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — Court Records: The Hoke County court location page on the North Carolina Judicial Branch website provides access to court date information and case search tools at no charge.
- NC.gov Legal and Justice Portal: The state's legal and justice resources page aggregates links to criminal offender searches, sex offender registry lookups, and court records tools, all accessible without a fee.
Fees may apply when requesting certified copies of records or printed documentation.
How To Visit an Inmate In Hoke County
Members of the public wishing to visit an individual held at the Hoke County Detention Center must comply with the facility's visitation policies as established by the Hoke County Sheriff's Office.
Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be pre-approved by the facility before a visit is permitted. Prospective visitors are generally required to submit identifying information and may be subject to a background check. Approval may be denied based on the inmate's classification, disciplinary status, or the visitor's criminal history.
Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Hoke County Detention Center and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (910) 875-5111 to confirm current visitation days and times before arriving.
What to Bring
- Government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Any required visitation approval documentation
What NOT to Bring
- Weapons, controlled substances, or alcohol
- Cell phones or electronic devices into the secure visitation area
- Unauthorized packages, food, or beverages
- Items not expressly permitted by facility policy
Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-affiliated symbols or insignia is prohibited. The facility reserves the right to deny entry to any visitor whose attire does not comply with posted standards.
Visit Types The Hoke County Detention Center may offer in-person contact or non-contact visits, as well as video visitation options depending on available technology and the inmate's classification level.
Visit Rules Visitors must conduct themselves in an orderly manner at all times. Physical contact, where permitted, is limited to a brief greeting and farewell. Passing of any items between visitor and inmate is prohibited unless expressly authorized by staff.
Visit Restrictions Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked as a result of the inmate's disciplinary record, facility lockdowns, or court orders. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and may be subject to additional approval requirements.
How To Send Money to a Hoke County Inmate
Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account at the Hoke County Detention Center through methods authorized by the facility. Members of the public should contact the Sheriff's Office at (910) 875-5111 or visit the facility's official page to confirm currently accepted deposit methods, as procedures are subject to change.
Accepted Methods
- Lobby kiosk — Many county detention facilities operate automated kiosks in the lobby that accept cash or debit card deposits. Members of the public should verify whether such a kiosk is available at the Hoke County Detention Center.
- Online deposit — Deposits may be available through a third-party service provider contracted by the facility. The inmate's booking number and full legal name are typically required.
- Money order by mail — Money orders made payable to the inmate, with the inmate's full name and booking number noted on the instrument, may be accepted by mail.
Amount Limits Deposit limits per transaction or per week may be imposed by the facility. Members of the public should confirm current limits directly with the Hoke County Detention Center.
Fees Third-party service providers typically charge a transaction fee for online or kiosk deposits. The fee amount varies by provider and transaction method.
What You Cannot Send
- Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted and may be confiscated
- Personal checks are generally not accepted
- Funds from anonymous or unverified sources may be rejected
Use of Funds Inmate trust account funds may be used to purchase items from the facility commissary, including hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and postage. Funds may not be used to purchase contraband or to conduct transactions prohibited by facility rules.
How To Send Jail Mail In Hoke County
Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Hoke County Detention Center by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to the facility's security policies and applicable North Carolina law.
Mailing Address Format Mail should be addressed as follows:
Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number Hoke County Detention Center 226 N. Main St. Raeford, NC 28376
Rules for Sending Mail
- All letters must be written on plain white paper and sent in standard white envelopes
- The sender's full name and return address must appear on the outside of 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 established by the facility
- Books and publications, where permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or licensed retailer, not from a private individual
- Mail containing obscene material, gang-related content, coded language, or any item that poses a security risk will be rejected and may be reported to law enforcement
- Stickers, glitter, perfume, lipstick, or any substance applied to the paper or envelope is prohibited
- Legal mail from licensed attorneys is handled separately and is subject to different inspection procedures under applicable law
All mail is logged upon receipt. Rejected mail is returned to the sender or disposed of in accordance with facility policy. Repeated violations of mail rules may result in suspension of mail privileges for the inmate.