The Chatham County Detention Facility is the approximately 10,000 square foot county jail, located at the lower level of the Sheriff’s Office in Pittsboro. A maximum of 51 inmates can be housed at this facility. The sheriff is required by law to operate a county jail.

Detention Facility Job Descriptions

Jail Administrator: Holds the rank of Lieutenant. The jail administrator plans, directs, and supervises all activities of the detention facility; determines staffing and equipment needs; works with the fiscal control officer on the annual budget; investigates any complaints.

Jailers: Jailers admit prisoners; book and search inmates; collect personal belongings from inmates for safe keeping; arrange visitation between inmates and their families; patrols the entire jail area on a regular basis; maintain inmate paperwork; and supervise the inmates.

Transportation officers: The transportation officer transports inmates to and from other jails, prisons, and mental health centers, and also assists the jailers when needed.

Kitchen Staff: The kitchen staff prepares all inmate meals, serve meals, maintain record of meals served, stock the kitchen food and supplies, clean the kitchen area, and plan meals for inmates with special dietary needs, such as diabetics.

Visitation

The Chatham 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 visitors during the following times. All visits are for a maximum of 30 minutes per inmate.

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 open to the inmates daily expect on Sunday and Friday.

When inmates are allowed out their cells each day between 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. they may spend their time writing letters, playing games, reading, showering, or talking with other inmates. Chatham County does not supply television for entertainment.

The Chatham 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.