W.E. Billy Smith Detention Center

The W.E. "Billy" Smith Detention Center is the pretrial detention facility for Lenoir County and operates under the authority of the Lenoir County Sheriff. The facility is named in honor of retired Sheriff W.E. "Billy" Smith, who served the citizens of Lenoir County as Sheriff from 1988 to 2012. Sheriff Smith played an instrumental role in securing approval from the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners for the construction of the facility. ​

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The Detention Center has a capacity of 200 inmates. When combined with the previous detention facility's capacity of 85 inmates, the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office has a total detention capacity of 285 inmates. The facility includes a law enforcement processing area, inmate booking area, medical wing, kitchen, laundry facilities, and trustee housing. 

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The Detention Center is managed by a Major who serves as the Detention Center Administrator, with assistance from two Lieutenants who oversee daily operations, inmate transportation, and logistics. Each shift is staffed by 14 detention officers, including one Sergeant and two Corporals who serve in supervisory roles. 

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The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office houses inmates from other counties and participates in the North Carolina Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program.​​