Durham County Detention, NC

Before visiting Durham County Detention, you'll need to register—either online through the portal (a valid email address is required) or at the kiosk in the detention lobby. In-person visits must be scheduled 2–7 days in advance. Arrive at least 30 minutes early, or your visit may be canceled. The schedule runs by pod: Pods A & B visit Tuesday 4:00 PM–7:30 PM, Pods C & D visit Thursday 4:00 PM–7:30 PM (3C North & South follow a different schedule). Each inmate gets two in-person visits per month, with up to three visitors allowed per session and one session per day. You can modify or cancel up to one day ahead—late cancellations still count against your monthly limit. Free video visits run on a separate schedule and require the visitation app (Android recommended).

Staying in touch with someone at Durham County Detention means working through third-party systems. Phone calls go through Global Tel*Link (GTL)—you'll need a GTL account set up before you can accept calls. The detention center also offers free video visitation, scheduled the same way as in-person visits. For remote video sessions, download the visitation app; the facility recommends Android devices for best compatibility. Account management, scheduling, and funding all happen through vendor portals rather than the detention center directly. General questions? Email feedback@durhamsheriff.org. For emergencies, call 911 or (919) 560-0900.

Durham County Detention stopped processing personal mail onsite on Feb. 1, 2023. All personal letters now go through ViaPath/TextBehind for scanning. Send them to the vendor's Phoenix, MD P.O. Box—include the incarcerated person's name and ID number so it routes correctly. Legal mail, books, and packages don't go through the mail-scan vendor. Send those to the facility's Durham P.O. Box with the inmate's full name. Cash, checks, and money orders won't be accepted through the mail-scan system. Questions about a missing delivery? Contact info@TextBehind.com. Scanned copies are delivered digitally, and originals are held only briefly.

Several options exist for adding commissary funds at Durham County Detention: deposit in person, mail a money order, or use TouchPay online/by phone with facility ID 227701 plus the inmate number. The lobby kiosk accepts cash deposits 24/7 at no charge. Mailing a money order? Send it to Durham County Detention Facility, P.O. Box 544, Durham, NC 27702—include the inmate's full name and number, and don't include personal correspondence. The Money Intake window is closed for general intake, but staff are available Wednesdays 1:00pm–3:30pm for release forms and related questions. For TouchPay issues, call TouchPay Customer Service at 866-204-1603. Release debit cards are issued by the Property Division at release. You can also order commissary gift packages through iCare by searching the inmate's name or number.