Buncombe County Government North Carolina

Sheriff's Office

Jail Administration

202 Haywood St
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 250-6670
Asistencia en Espanol
(828)-250-4542

Captain Jason Honeycut
Captain Jason Honeycut
(828) 250-4578

Detention Facility

The Buncombe County Detention Facility is a 604 bed direct supervision Detention Facility. Built in 1994 the Buncombe County Detention Facility replaced the old Buncombe County Jail that was located on the top floors of the Buncombe County Courthouse. The Buncombe County Sheriff is required by law to operate a county Detention Facility.

DETENTION FACILITY JOB DESCRIPTIONS:

  • Facility Administrator: The Facility Administrator plans, directs, and supervises all activities of the Detention Facility; determines staffing and equipment need, works with the fiscal control officer on the annual budget, investigates any complaints.
  • Assistant Facility Administrators: The Assistant Facility Administrators assist the jail administrator in supervising the employees, inmate activity, and oversees the maintenance of inmate paperwork.
  • Detention Team Supervisors: The Detention Team Supervisors maintain the safety and security level of the Detention Facility as well as overseeing the day to day operation of the employees on the current shift.
  • Detention Officers: Detention Officers admit and release inmates, book and search inmates, collect personal belongings from inmates for safe keeping, arrange visitation for inmates and their families or attorneys, patrol the entire Detention area on a regular basis, maintain inmate paperwork, supervise the inmates, distribute mail, arrange sick call for inmates, and maintain the safety and security level of the facility.
  • Transportation Officers: The Transportation Officers transport inmates to, and from other Detention Facilities, prisons, and mental health centers, and also assist the Detention Officers when needed.
  • Detention Facility Medical Staff: The Detention Facility Medical Staff are the on-duty health care providers for the inmates. They distribute medicine, perform health evaluations, perform first aid, and access medical situations to determine further action.
  • Kitchen Officers: The Kitchen Officers oversee the preparation of all inmate meals, the service of meals, maintain records of meals served, stock the kitchen food and supplies, cleaning of the kitchen area, and plan meals for inmates with special dietary needs, such as diabetics.
  • Classification Officers: The Classification Officers place inmates in the appropriate section of the Detention Facility based on the inmate's gender, age, behavioral patterns and criminal history.
  • Laundry Officer: The Laundry Officer oversees the washing, drying, folding, and issuance of all inmate jumpsuits, and linen. The Laundry Officer is also responsible for keeping any and all supplies used for cleaning in their appropriate locations, and well stocked for use.
  • Commissary Staff: Commissary Staff is responsible for filling commissary orders for all inmates who order commissary. Commissary items include clothing, personal care items, beverages, snacks, and other food items.
  • Inmate Program Coordinator: The Inmate Program Coordinator is responsible for the design and development of programs used to rehabilitate inmates.
  • Chaplain: The Detention Facility Chaplain is available for counseling and guidance for inmates as well as staff. Administrative Staff: The Administrative Staff is a group of employees that perform various tasks, such as employee training, purchasing, and payroll.

Procedures

The Buncombe County Detention Facility must maintain order and control when dealing with a large group of criminals. Inmates have some privileges and opportunities, which are explained below.

Inmates are allowed to have up to five visitors during the following times:
Tuesday and Thursday only, from:

  • 0900 to 1000
  • 1000 to 1100
  • 1300 to 1400
  • 1400 to 1500
  • 1900 to 2000
  • 2000 to 2100

Inmate meal times are as follows:

  • 0600 hours Breakfast
  • 1100 hours Lunch
  • 1600 hours Dinner

Inmates have only six hours each day out of their cells. This time can be spent watching television, showering, or talking with other inmates. The specific hours of free time are as follows:

  • 0930 to 1030 hours
  • 1400 to 1600 hours
  • 1800 to 2100 hours

The commissary is the inmate store where health and comfort items may be purchased. Inmates can receive money from their family and friends to spend in the commissary. Items such as aspirin, crackers, and sodas may be purchased in the commissary, which is only open to the inmates on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

The Buncombe County Detention Facility follows many guidelines and regulations for the purpose of maintaining order and control. No control of the inmates could result in disaster. Jailers have only their minds and their mouths to supervise; jailers do not carry weapons.

Classification:

The purpose of the Classification Unit is to provide a means by which inmates detained in the custody of the Buncombe County Detention Facility are assured of appropriate safety, adequate health care and the opportunity to participate in programs offered through the Buncombe County Detention Facility.

Classification Officers are committed to creating a safe environment for inmates and staff.

Visitation Rules:

An inmate must be in the custody of the Buncombe County Detention Facility for a period of seven (7) days before they can receive their first visit.

  • Visitors must have valid state or federal ID card or drivers license. All identification must contain bearers photograph.
  • Minors sixteen (16) years old, or younger, do not need identification when a parent or legal guardian accompanies them.
  • Adults seventeen (17) years old, or older, must have proper identification to visit.
  • Children may not be left unattended at any time.
  • No purses, female wallets, bags, pocketknives, weapons, cellular phones, radios, camera's, pens, pencils, paper, tobacco items, matches, lighters, pictures, nail clippers, nail files, sharp items, or recording devices of any kind are allowed.
  • No items may be left unattended in the lobby area.
  • A visit may consist of up to two adults and two children.
  • All visitors must adhere to the Buncombe County Detention Facility Rules of Dress for Detention Visitation. (See Rules of Dress for Detention Visitation)

Rules of Dress for Detention Visitation:

Acceptable Forms of Dress (See Examples): The Buncombe County Detention Facility is charged with the responsibility of seeing to the health, safety and well-being of those housed in our custodial facilities.

To address this important responsibility we must maintain order and decorum. Consequently, visitors to this facility must present and maintain an appropriate style of dress, behavior and conduct in keeping with the needs of this institution.

Clothing, demeanor and/or actions, which may be acceptable somewhere else, are not necessarily acceptable in this environment. Here, we must consider those who are required to live here, first.

RULES OF DRESS FOR VISITORS

These rules of dress will be strictly enforced. It will be the responsibility to let their visitors know about the rules. Shirt and shoes are mandatory. The following are not allowed:

  • -Tube tops
  • -Halter tops
  • -Bare midriff
  • -Spaghetti strapped tops or dresses
  • -Tank tops (male or female)
  • -Sleeveless shirts without a brassiere (women)
  • -Sleeveless shirts with large arm holes exposing the chest
  • -Clothing displaying gang affiliation
  • -Fish net shirts (male or female)
  • -Pant or shirts with see-through fabric
  • -Shirts/tops of a revealing nature
  • -Shorts above mid-thigh (14 years of age and above)
  • -Dresses/skirts above mid-thigh
  • -Dresses/skirts with a slit/split above mid-thigh
  • -Miniskirts
  • -All hats/ball caps will be worn with the brim to the front (hats/ball caps will be removed for inspection)
  • -Wave caps, doo rags, or bandanas
    • -Clothing of a generally revealing nature
  • -Net clothing
  • -Spandex clothing
  • -Tights without shorts

Any other item of clothing; DEEMED BY THE STAFF, to be contrary to the policy of modest and acceptable dress will not be allowed.

Questions concerning the above information should be directed to the Buncombe County Detention Facility Administrator.

Court Security

The court security unit of the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office is commanded by a Court Security Lieutenant and assisted by two Sergeants. These supervisors have a total of 20 officers that is responsible for all security and police actions for the entire court house and all the courts both civil and criminal.

There are 7 to 9 District Courts, 2 Superior Courts, as a normal schedule. There are times that additional courts must be added as the system demands. When the additional courts are added additional officers must be brought in from either Detention Facility or Patrol to assist in the overload. There is an extra delinquent court each Monday, then jury or non-jury the first week of every month.

There is a new Administrative Court that handles over 900 to 1400 persons per day the first week of the every month. Monday and Thursday of each week Court Security must transport juveniles to and from respective Detention Facilities. Involuntary Commitments are usually heard once per week and require Court Security to transport and maintain security during hearings.

Wednesday and Thursday of each week Domestic Violence Cases are heard on the 4th floor. Due to the problems experienced and the potential for problems with this court there are extra officers assigned for security on this floor.

The court system attempts to solve some issues without full court involvement through Mediation. Mediation sessions are twice per month and require an extra Bailiff because of the Domestic Violence issues that must be dealt with.

Court Security must accomplish all of the above, plus provide escorts from building to vehicles, serve civil papers, serve warrants, transfer and pass along information to court officials. There is also the occasional person that must be transported for a breathalyzer, or finger printed as part of court proceedings. An officer must always be available on the 5th floor; with or without court for assistance to the Judges.

In 2006 Court Security served 3500 Subpoenas, served 350 Civil papers, arrested 550 people, and processed just under 750,000 persons through the Court House!!! On a normal day the court will deal with approximately 100 persons that are incarcerated and transported.

All of this done professionally, without a Security Breach or major issue

Contact Information

Buncombe County Detention Facility
(828) 250-4550.