Carteret Correctional Center

Carteret Correctional Center is a reentry facility for minimum-security male inmates that is located in Newport, North Carolina. The facility can house approximately 300 offenders and is managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Carteret was established in 1938 with portable housing units for sleeping quarters. The prison's original dormitory was built in 1948. While the prisons operated under the State Highway and Public Works Commission from the 1930's to the 1950's, Carteret served as a medium security prison. Offenders worked part of the prison's 88.12 acres as a farm and raised hogs to provide food until 1961.

Offenders are still housed in a building containing two dormitories that was part of the original prison. An administration building was constructed in 1966. A modular dormitory erected in 1977 was expected to last 5-10 years. It remained in operation until 1997.

In 1987, lawmakers provided two 50-bed dormitories and a multipurpose building as part of a $28.5 million Emergency Prison Facilities Development program. Two more 50-bed dormitories were provided as part of a $87.5 million prison construction program authorized in 1993.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

VISITATION TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

To prevent the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), prison visitation was suspended as of Monday, March 16, 2020. Visitation will resume when conditions are deemed safe.

Regular Visiting Hours

The facility has visitations only on Saturday from 8 – 11 a.m. and from 1 – 4 p.m. The maximum duration is two hours.

First visitation is for people whose last names fall between A – L. The second visitation period is for people whose last names fall between M – Z.  This schedule alternates each month.

Special visits: These are arranged on a once-a-month basis. Visitors must be an immediate family member and travel more than four hours one-way. The special circumstances include death of an immediate family member (where the family wants to inform the offender in person), or regarding medical documentation that the family member can not travel long distances.

Visitation for clergy and attorneys requires 24-hour notice. The attorney must request in writing on his/her company letterhead. These are one-hour visits and take place Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., or 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Visiting Application

You must complete an application and have it approved before visiting an inmate. Your inmate must send you a blank application for each adult and minor who wishes to visit. After you complete your application, you must return it to the Carteret Correctional Center.

Inmates are allowed one visiting session per week for a maximum of two hours. The maximum number of visitors per visiting session can’t exceed three approved visitors (adults and kids).

Click here for more detailed information about visiting an inmate at Carteret Correctional Center.

Dress Code

All visitors must follow the dress code or they will be denied entrance into the facility. Before you are allowed to visit, you must pass through a metal detector search.

• Halter tops, bare midriffs, strapless tops, tube tops, bodysuits, underwear-type T-shirts, tank tops, or sleeveless shirts or dresses that are inappropriately revealing (a sleeveless shirt or dress is considered inappropriately revealing when the female breast or lingerie can be seen), fishnet shirts, or any type of shirt or pants made with see-through fabric are NOT allowed to be worn by any visitor (male or female).
• Visitors may wear Bermuda-length shorts provided they are not more than three inches above the kneecap.
• Females may wear dresses or skirts, but they may not be more than three inches above the kneecap. Slits in skirts and dresses may not be more than three inches above the kneecap. Dresses and skirts for pre-teens may be shorter than three inches above the kneecap.
• Any shirt or other articles of clothing with a picture or language that may be considered profane or offensive by current public standards or Adult Correction standards, or considered STG (gang) related will not be allowed.
• Wave caps, doo rags, and bandanas are not allowed.
• Slacks and pants are to be worn at or above the waist.
• Spandex clothing is prohibited.
• Visitors must wear closed-toed shoes (no flip-flops or stilettos permitted).
• Shirts and shoes are mandatory.

All inmate mail should be addressed exactly as printed above, so that the full name and OPUS number of the inmate appears on the envelope. For information about sending packages to an inmate, click here.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Carteret Community College works with the prison to provide vocational classes in horticulture and for the developmentally disabled. Classes for adult education and preparation for the GED are also offered.

Offenders work in a number of jobs. They may be assigned to the community work program, Department of Transportation road crews, or work under contract for local government agencies. Offenders may also be assigned for maintenance or kitchen duties. Offenders nearing the end of their sentence may participate in work release, leaving the prison for the part of the day to work for a business in the community.

Offenders may participate in study release or substance abuse treatment programs or the Horticulture Program.

Pictures of Carteret Correctional Center

Careers at Carteret Correctional Center

If you are interested in a career with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and would like to work at the Carteret Correctional Center, you can find out more information by clicking here.