Which statute states that a county may establish local confinement facilities?

The statute that indicates a county may establish local confinement facilities is NCGS 153A-218. This provision specifically outlines the authority of counties to create and maintain local jails or detention centers, allowing them to manage and house individuals who are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. This authority provided by the statute is crucial for local governance, as it enables counties to address their specific needs regarding public safety and inmate management within their jurisdiction.

The other choices relate to differing aspects of law; for instance, NCGS 153A-217 refers to regulations about the operation and establishment of local detention facilities with some limitations, while NCGS 122C pertains to mental health and intellectual disability regulations and does not reference confinement for criminal offenses. NCGS 122C-3 focuses on the definitions related to mental health and services, further distancing it from the context of local confinement facilities. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why NCGS 153A-218 is the correct reference for this context.