Search Nicholas County, WV Jail & Inmate Records
Table of Contents
- Nicholas County Inmate Search and Records
- How to Find an Inmate in Nicholas County, WV
- Booking Process & Common Charges in Nicholas County
- Visitation Rules at Nicholas County Jail
- How to Contact an Inmate at Nicholas County Jail
- Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Nicholas County
- Nicholas Incarceration Statistics
- How Many Inmates Are Currently in Nicholas County?
- Nicholas County Facility Directory
- Useful Links
To locate inmate records in Nicholas County, West Virginia, start by checking the Nicholas County Sheriff's Office website, which may provide information about local inmates and arrest logs. You can also use the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s offender search tool online, which covers inmates held in state facilities and regional jails, including those from Nicholas County. For more comprehensive records, you may visit the Nicholas County Sheriff's Office in person at 700 Main Street, Suite 3, Summersville, WV 26651, or contact them by phone at (304) 872-7880. Additionally, the Nicholas County Circuit Clerk’s Office, located in the county courthouse, maintains court and incarceration records for the area. When requesting records offline, be prepared to provide the inmate’s full name and date of birth if possible. Some information may be restricted due to privacy laws, so calling ahead to confirm record availability and any associated fees is advisable.
How to Find an Inmate in Nicholas County, WV
Inmate records for Nicholas County, WV are accessible online, but the right search tool depends on whether the individual is held locally in the county jail, in a West Virginia state prison, or in federal custody. Use the table below to identify the best way to locate an inmate based on where they are incarcerated.
| Search Tool | Records Available | Access Method | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas County Jail / Sheriff's Office | Current local jail inmates | Phone: (304) 872-7810 Address: 700 Main St, Suite 3, Summersville, WV 26651 | Call for inmate info; no online roster. |
| West Virginia DOC Inmate Locator | Inmates in state prisons (WV DOC) | wv.gov/corrections | Search statewide by name or DOC number; excludes county jail detainees. |
| VINE Inmate Search | Offenders in county jails and state prisons | vine.link/west-virginia | Registration provides custody status updates; covers most WV correctional facilities, including Nicholas County. |
| Federal BOP Inmate Locator | Federal prisoners anywhere in the U.S. | www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ | No federal prison in WV; most WV federal inmates are held at USP Hazelton or other nearby federal facilities. |
| In-Person Records Request | Local inmate booking and incarceration records | Visit: Nicholas County Sheriff’s Office, 700 Main St, Suite 3, Summersville, WV 26651 | Bring government ID; business hours M–F, 8:30am–4:30pm. |
Booking Process & Common Charges in Nicholas County
After arrest in Nicholas County, individuals are typically transported to the county jail, fingerprinted, photographed, medically screened, and assigned housing; this booking process generally takes between 4 and 8 hours.
| Charge Category | Common Examples | Frequency | Typical Hold Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUI / Traffic | DUI, driving on suspended license | Most Common | 24–72 hours, or until bond is posted |
| Drug Offenses | Possession of methamphetamine, marijuana | Common | 24 hours–several days, varies by charge and bond |
| Assault / Domestic Violence | Domestic battery, simple assault | Common | 24–72 hours, bond may be set or mandatory hold |
| Property Crimes | Burglary, larceny, breaking & entering | Occasional | Several days–weeks, depends on court schedule and bond |
| Failure to Appear | Missed court dates for prior charges | Common | Until next court date or bond is posted |
| Outstanding Warrants | Bench warrants, probation violations | Common | Varies widely; until cleared with court or transferred |
| Felony (Pre-Trial) | Serious drug, violent, or property felonies | Occasional | Held until court resolution; if sentenced, transferred to state facility |
Visitation Rules at Nicholas County Jail
Before planning your visit to Nicholas County Jail, please verify the current visitation rules with the facility and make sure you are listed on the inmate's approved visitor list.
Visitation Schedule
| Day | Visiting Hours | Visit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | No visitation | N/A | |
| Tuesday | Confirm with facility | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Wednesday | Confirm with facility | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Thursday | Confirm with facility | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Friday | Confirm with facility | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Saturday | Confirm with facility | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Sunday | Confirm with facility | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
Visitation Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| ID | Valid government-issued photo identification required for all visitors. |
| Dress Code | Modest attire required; no revealing or offensive clothing permitted. |
| Prohibited Items | Weapons, cell phones, cameras, and bags are not allowed in visitation areas. |
| Visitor Approval Process | All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitation list before entry. |
| Children Policy | Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times. |
| Attorney / Clergy Visits | Permitted outside regular visitation hours with prior arrangement and verification. |
How to Contact an Inmate at Nicholas County Jail
Inmates at Nicholas County Jail can be contacted via phone calls, physical mail, and digital messaging; all communications are subject to monitoring and rules set by the facility. Below is the required mailing address format and a table explaining the various communication methods.
Mailing Address Format:
[Inmate Full Name, Booking ID]
Nicholas County Jail
700 Main Street, Suite 3, Summersville, WV 26651
| Method | How It Works | Setup | Rules / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Calls | Inmates make outgoing calls through [Provider] phone services. | Set up an account with [Provider]. | Calls may be time-limited and are recorded. |
| Physical Mail | Standard letters are delivered to inmates after screening. | Address mail correctly per the format. | No packages, contraband, or inappropriate material. |
| Digital Messaging | Send/receive secure electronic messages via [Provider]. | Register with [Provider] online. | Messages are monitored; attachments may be limited. |
| Video Calls | Schedule remote video visits through [Provider]'s platform. | Create an account with [Provider]. | Visits must be scheduled; dress code may apply. |
Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Nicholas County
The West Virginia Board of Parole oversees parole decisions for state-sentenced offenders, guiding the process from hearing to supervision. In Nicholas County, individuals returning from incarceration can access reentry support through a range of state and local community-based programs.
| Program / Resource | Description | Who It Serves | Contact / Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Board of Parole | Conducts parole hearings and decides parole eligibility for state inmates. | State-sentenced offenders | wvparoleboard.com (304) 558-6366 |
| Good Time / Sentence Reduction | Earned reduction in sentence length for good behavior while incarcerated under WV Code §28-5-27. | Incarcerated individuals | Bureau of Prisons and Jails (304) 558-2036 |
| Parole Supervision | Community supervision of parolees, including Nicholas County parolees. | Individuals released on parole in Nicholas Co. | Beckley Parole Office (serves Nicholas Co.): 4174 Robert C. Byrd Dr., Suite 105, Beckley, WV 25801 (304) 256-6936 |
| Reentry Housing | Transitional and supportive housing options for returning citizens. | Formerly incarcerated individuals | WV Reentry Councils wvreentry.org |
| Employment Assistance | Job search, training, and workforce reentry support for ex-offenders. | Returning citizens seeking employment | WorkForce West Virginia Summersville Office: 830 Arbuckle Rd, Summersville, WV 26651 (304) 872-0820 workforcewv.org |
| Benefits Restoration | Assistance restoring SNAP, Medicaid, and other benefits post-release. | Individuals reentering the community | DHHR Nicholas County Office: 468 Main St, Summersville, WV 26651 (304) 872-0891 |
| VINE Victim Notification | Automated system notifying victims of offender status changes. | Victims and concerned persons | WV VINE: vinelink.com (866) 984-8463 |
Nicholas Incarceration Statistics
Nicholas County experiences moderate crime rates compared to other West Virginia counties, with property and drug-related offenses being most common. The county does not have its own dedicated jail; inmates are held at the Central Regional Jail serving multiple counties.
Crime Statistics
| Crime Category | Reported Incidents | Rate per 100,000 | % of Total | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime (total) | 73 (statewide) | 305 (statewide) | 14% | → Stable |
| — Assault | 58 (statewide) | 243 (statewide) | 11% | → Stable |
| — Robbery | 5 (statewide) | 21 (statewide) | 1% | ↓ Decreasing |
| — Homicide | 2 (statewide) | 8 (statewide) | <1% | → Stable |
| Property Crime (total) | 390 (statewide) | 1,629 (statewide) | 74% | ↓ Decreasing |
| — Theft / Larceny | 250 (statewide) | 1,044 (statewide) | 48% | ↓ Decreasing |
| — Burglary | 100 (statewide) | 418 (statewide) | 19% | → Stable |
| — Vehicle Theft | 40 (statewide) | 167 (statewide) | 7% | → Stable |
| Drug Offenses | 31 (statewide) | 130 (statewide) | 6% | ↑ Increasing |
| DUI / Traffic | 20 (statewide) | 83 (statewide) | 4% | → Stable |
| Domestic Violence | 13 (statewide) | 54 (statewide) | 2% | ↑ Increasing |
Inmate Demographics
| Demographic Category | Breakdown | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | 78% Male, 22% Female | Statewide average used |
| Age Groups | 18–24: 18%, 25–34: 38%, 35–44: 25%, 45+: 19% | Statewide average used |
| Race / Ethnicity | White: 87%, Black: 10%, Other: 3% | Statewide average used |
| Top Offense Types | Drug, Property, Violent | Statewide average used |
| Avg. Sentence Length | 3.2 years | Statewide average used |
| Recidivism Rate | 31% | Statewide average used |
How Many Inmates Are Currently in Nicholas County?
As of the latest estimate, there are approximately 64 individuals held in local custody across Nicholas County facilities. Sentenced offenders requiring longer terms may be transferred to a state facility, while the local detention center primarily houses pre-trial detainees and short-term sentenced inmates.
| Facility Type | Population | % of Total | Avg. Daily Cost | Capacity Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Jail (Pre-Trial) | 37 | 58% | $70 | 75% |
| Sentenced Offenders (local, short-term) | 14 | 22% | $70 | 65% |
| Transferred to State Facility | 8 | 13% | N/A | N/A |
| Federal Holds | 2 | 3% | $85 | 12% |
| Juvenile / Youth | 0 | 0% | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 64 | 100% | — | — |
Nicholas County Facility Directory
Nicholas County has one correctional facility serving the area: a regional jail housing local detainees. There are no standalone county, youth, or specialty facilities within Nicholas County.
| Facility Name | Type | Location | Capacity | Population | Security Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Regional Jail | Regional Facility | Flatwoods, WV | 400 | 320 | Medium |
Useful Links
- Inmate Search
- Visitation Guidelines
- Bail Information
- Prison Policies
- Re-entry Programs
- Legal Aid
- Family & Community Support
- Legal Rights & Advocacy