Cherokee County NC Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Cherokee Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 828-837-2521.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Cherokee Co Jail is a detention center located at 577 Regal St Murphy, NC which is operated locally by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Cherokee County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Murphy Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for North Carolina here.

The Cherokee County Detention Center, which began operations in the summer of 2008, marks a significant improvement over its predecessor—a 1922 facility that could only house a maximum of 43 inmates awaiting trial. The new Detention Center expanded its capacity to nearly 150 inmate beds and is equipped with specialized pods for medical care, juvenile inmates, and separate housing for female and male inmates.

The Detention Center is designed for indirect supervision and is thoughtfully organized into seven distinct dormitories, each tailored to meet specific needs within the inmate population. One dormitory is dedicated to 14 inmates who are either part of the work detail program or have been court-ordered to participate in work release. A separate dormitory houses 10 inmates classified under maximum security, ensuring that those who require stricter containment are adequately managed. The facility also includes a medical ward with the capacity to accommodate 6 inmates in need of medical care, providing essential health services within a secure environment. Additionally, there are two dormitories, each housing 28 inmates, with one specifically designated for female inmates to ensure appropriate gender separation and care. The remaining two dormitories are designed to house 32 inmates each, effectively maximizing the facility's capacity while maintaining proper inmate classification and management.

In anticipation of future needs, the facility was designed with the capacity to expand and house an additional 100 inmates, ultimately reaching a total capacity of 350 beds.

The Cherokee County Detention Center is managed by Detention Administrator, Major Montgomery (Monty) Ward, who is supported by Captain Brian Smith. Captain Smith assists with various aspects of detention operations, including scheduling, inmate commissary management, budget planning, personnel issues, and fiscal management, ensuring the facility runs smoothly and efficiently.

Each shift within the Detention Center includes at least one female and one male officer, who are responsible for conducting regular rounds within the female and male cell blocks, respectively. Additionally, the facility operates a Transport Division that handles the transportation of both local and federal inmates to court appearances, medical appointments, work detail assignments, Department of Corrections locations, and involuntary commitments to appropriate medical facilities.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

The Detention Center also boasts an in-house Medical Division, which provides comprehensive health services to incarcerated individuals. These services include initial medical screenings, medical histories, physical exams, and the administration of necessary medications. The medical staff collaborates with community agencies to care for inmates with chronic conditions, communicable diseases, alcohol and drug detox needs, dental care, mental health services, and prenatal care. This in-house Medical Division plays a crucial role in reducing unnecessary trips to the hospital and managing pharmacy costs while improving the overall quality of care provided to inmates.

The Cherokee County Detention Center offers various programs to eligible inmates, including Inmate Work Details, Work Release Programs, and G.E.D. Programs. Inmates also have the opportunity to speak with Jail Ministers upon request, supporting their spiritual needs during incarceration. These programs are designed to help inmates develop skills and maintain a positive outlook while serving their sentences, contributing to their rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.