Law Enforcement Detention Center Population Pressures and Security
Forsyth County
Summary
The jail is running 950-1,000 inmates against a capacity of 1,016. A GPS monitoring program at $5.90 per day — cheaper than the $5.51 the county spends on food alone — could let courts release eligible inmates while keeping track of them.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 26, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $150,000 through June 30, versus more than $300,000 with the competing vendor — and far less than the roughly $37 per day to house an inmate.
Taxpayers through cost savings, and the court system through reduced jail crowding.
County budget reserves impacted by unbudgeted departmental overages.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Board of Commissioners Briefing - Oct 26 2026
The jail is running 950-1,000 inmates against a capacity of 1,016. A GPS monitoring program at $5.90 per day — cheaper than the $5.51 the county spends on food alone — could let courts release eligible inmates while keeping track of them.
Board of Commissioners Briefing - 2026-07-06
County sheriff officials reported that the jail population reached 991 inmates, nearing its capacity of 1,016, driven by high pre-trial numbers and state inmate backlogs. To protect civilian staff in the lobby while detention officers are deployed to housing units, the county is contracting with Allied Universal for armed security. Officials are also coordinating with the judiciary on an electronic monitoring pilot program to safely reduce the inmate population.
Budget Workshop - 2026-04-06
The Sheriff's Office is projected to exceed its budget by over $1 million due to high overtime costs, inmate medical expenses, and animal control enforcement demands. Commissioners debated whether the city of Winston-Salem should contribute funds for services provided within city limits.
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