The League of Women Voters visits the Guilford County jail in High Point, NC
Photos taken by League member.

Several members of the LWVPT voluntarily entered the Guilford County jail in High Point. We met Lt. Rollins in the public area on Tuesday, February 28. After answering our many questions, Lt. Rollins showed us the intake area of the jail, the “locker” room, inmate holding area, command center, and one of the floors of the High Point jail.

League members in attendance agreed that if you were going to do something to land you in jail, you should do it in High Point. The jail in High Point was built in 1990 and has a state rated capacity of 274. It was designed to house 212.  It, as is Greensboro, overcrowded. At the time we were there, the inmate count was 340.

In response to our questions Lt Rollins said that a jail should be built to last 25 years, but due to projection errors in population growth and crime rates, the jail is under capacity. An additional floor cannot be added to the jail, but towers could be built where the parking lots stand. A tower would then be connected to the current jail, but parking spaces would be lost.

Video arraignment has been in place for seven to eight years, saving person power that would be needed to transfer inmates to court. It costs over $40 per day to house an inmate. Inmates are responsible for their health care costs if they can afford to pay. Inmates may receive $40 a week from the outside so that they might buy whatever they need or want at the canteen. Phone calls are made collect to the outside.

Two visitors per week for 15 minutes at a time are permitted. Clergy may visit prisoners at other times. No one from the outside ever enters a cell. All visits are made in the visitor’s area. Meetings with attorneys are made in different area.

Remember that the High Point jail is also over capacity so whereas the design is more modern, allowing for one deputy to watch two floors with cells surrounding the desk. Cells meant to hold two people hold three in many cases. Inmates are in their cells 21 hours per day. Each inmate has three one hour periods out of the cell on a rotating basis.

The day area is large with a large sitting area in front of a small television set. The game tables are stenciled with checker boards and backgammon boards. Inmates have to buy the playing pieces.

When the cells are full, more inmates can be housed in the staging areas near the check in desk and the command center. On court day inmates are taken to court via a tunnel to holding areas in the court house.

The command center has voice contact with all areas. Sounds are recorded on a DVR. Cameras are located in the day room and other places, but not in cells. Deputies who work in the jail do not carry keys that would allow inmates to get the keys and exit. Cell keys are also kept in a safe area near the deputy desk on the floor.

Personal laundry is done three days a week. Inmates are fed three times a day and the food must meet dietary guidelines. Provisions are made for special needs diets. The medical area has separate cells for those who must be isolated. Any inmate in jail longer than 14 days has a medical history taken.

Courses and programs are offered to the inmates. Pride is offered by Alcohol and Drug Services. A classroom is opposite the deputy’s desk across the day room.

Three fourths of the people in jail are there due to drug related issues: taking banned substances, selling banned substances or committing crimes to be able to buy more of a banned substance. Treatment cannot be forced while inmates are incarcerated, but they may choose to participate in programs.