Duplin County Opens $42 Million Detention Center

Duplin County’s new $42 million, 250-bed detention center in Kenansville, N.C., replaces an aging 95-bed jail with expanded housing capacity, enhanced security and modernized operational spaces. | Photo Credit: Duplin County Sheriff’s Office 

• The new $42 million, 250-bed Duplin County Detention Center in North Carolina is officially operational, replacing an aging 95-bed jail and significantly expanding housing capacity. 
• The 57,000-square-foot facility features six housing units, enhanced supervision, expanded medical and administrative spaces, and on-site kitchen and laundry services. 
• Designed by Moseley Architects and constructed by Daniels and Daniels, the facility addresses longstanding overcrowding while allowing for future expansion and an attached law enforcement center. 

KENANSVILLE, N.C. — Duplin County, N.C.’s new $42 million, 250-bed detention center has officially opened, replacing the county’s deteriorating 95-bed facility.   

The operational opening was reported by WCTI News 12 on Oct. 22 after 148 inmates were transferred to the new facility, following an Oct. 6 ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office. 

The new 57,000-square-foot detention center includes six housing units — including five for male inmates and one for female inmates — as well as two segregation units and an elevated control room for indirect supervision. Its expanded capacity allows the county to bring back inmates housed elsewhere because of overcrowding at the previous detention center. 

The agency emphasized community safety and improved conditions for detention staff and people in custody, according to WCTI’s opening ceremony coverage. Sheriff’s office personnel also recognized county leaders, elected officials, architects, contractors, staff and community partners for their contributions. 

Chief Deputy Chuck Weaver described concerns about the former jail. “The old detention center was starting to deteriorate it was becoming unsafe for not only the individuals being housed but also for our staff,” said Weaver, according to reporting from WCTI. 

Moseley Architects designed the project and Daniels and Daniels served as general contractor. 

Correctional News previously reported on the new facility’s groundbreaking in August 2024. Before commissioning the design in 2022, the county had Moseley Architects assess detention needs in 2018. That study compared a replacement building against improvements to the existing jail, using capacity projections and estimated costs. 

Booking and intake at the new facility were designed to adjoin the magistrate’s suite. New medical and administrative suites, along with bringing previously off-site kitchen and laundry services into the jail, will improve efficiency and reduce costs. The site layout also reserved space for expansion and a future attached law enforcement center. 

Covered recreation areas, visitation space and a breathalyzer room are among the facility’s additional features, WCTI reported. 

This article is based on reporting from Mary Grace Armistead of WCTI News 12 published on Oct. 22, and reporting by News 12 Staff published on Oct. 6, with supplemental context from Correctional News’ Aug. 19, 2024, coverage.