Craggy Correctional Center
Craggy Correctional Center is a minimum/medium-custody prison for male inmates that is located in Asheville, North Carolina. This facility can house 416 medium-custody inmates and 182 minimum-custody offenders, and it is managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
The prison has three dormitories and seven support buildings. Craggy was the first state prison to install an electronic intrusion system security fence to alert staff of attempted perimeter breaches or escapes.
The Old Craggy Prison was dedicated in May 1924 by the Buncombe County Commissioners, Craggy was one of 51 county prisons that the state assumed responsibility for with the passage of the Conner Bill in 1931. It was one of 61 prisons renovated or built during the late 1930s to house inmates who worked building roads.
Prison Insights
Craggy Correctional Center
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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
Minimum Custody visiting day/times: Saturday 8:30-10:30 a.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Medium Custody visiting days/times: Saturday 8:30-10:30 a.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m., 3-5 p.m.
Both facilities' visitation is done on a rotation based on the offender's last name. Offenders are provided a visitation schedule that shows the day/time their visit takes place. The offender is responsible for advising their visitors of the day/time of their visits.
If visitors are not sure of the day/time, they are encouraged to call before coming to the facility. Special visits and non-contact visiting is by appointment only.
Offenders are limited to a maximum of three adult visitors. Infants (ages 0-1 year) would not be considered in this total as long as they are held or sit on the lap of the visitor. Any child over the age of 2 would need to maintain a seat of their own.
Visiting Application
Inmates are encouraged to stay in close contact with members of their families and friends through visitation. However, Adult Correction policy and procedures regarding visitation are strictly adhered to.
You must complete an application and have it approved before visiting your inmate. The inmate is required to 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 Craggy Correctional Center.
Click here for more detailed information about visiting an inmate at a North Carolina correctional facility.
Dress Code
All visitors must successfully satisfy the metal detection, and pat and frisk procedures. Proper identification for adults and children must be provided. All identification cards must be current.
Bags and purses are not allowed in the visiting room. You can bring in small denomination bills and change to purchase food and drinks from the vending machines.
You must follow the visitors dress code or you will not be allowed to visit with your inmate. All visitors are required to wear shirts and closed-toed shoes (no flip-flops or stilettos).
- 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.
Physical Address
Craggy Correctional Center
22 Canoe Lane
Asheville, NC 28804
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/Yfueuft39hhda2WcA
General Phone Number
General Phone: 828-645-5315
Minimum Unit Phone: 828-645-7630
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate Name, OPUS Number
Craggy Correctional Center
2992 Riverside Drive
Asheville, NC 28804
When you address inmate mail, make sure 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
Inmates at the Craggy Correctional Center can’t receive incoming calls, but they usually have access to phones during daytime hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in North Carolina, please click here.
How to Send Money
You can send money to your inmate at Craggy Correctional Center through JPay and MoneyGram. All North Carolina state prisons require that you be on the inmate’s approved visitor list to send funds.
The fastest way to send money with your credit or debit card is online using JPay.com. Or, download the JPay mobile app from the Apple App Store (for iPhones) or Google Play (for Android phones).
You can also send money by phone using your credit or debit card. Call (800) 574-5729 to speak with a live JPay call center agent 24/7.
Money Orders
Money orders must be made payable to JPay and sent with a deposit slip to:
JPay
P.O. Box 173070
Hialeah, FL 33017
Money order deposit slip available in English here.
Hoja de Depósito para Giros Bancarios disponible en Español aquí.
Walk-In
To make a cash deposit, visit any MoneyGram agent location (including all Walmarts and CVS Pharmacies), and use code 1224. Visit JPay.com to get a list of nearby MoneyGram locations.
Programs For Inmates
Inmates may participate in the A New Direction Program, formerly known as the Drug Alcohol Recovery Treatment (DART) program. AND is an intensive inpatient treatment in a fast-moving 28-day treatment cycle with lectures, films, educational and therapy groups, as well as individual counseling. Inmates work with professional staff and peer counselors. AND relies heavily on the principles of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous with group meetings available in the evenings.
Asheville/Buncombe Technical Community College works with the prison to provide vocational classes in Food Service Technology and Facility Maintenance. Classes for adult education and preparation for the GED are also available.
Still operating at the old prison site is a Correction Enterprises laundry. Other inmate medium-custody assignments include Department of Transportation road crews, facility maintenance, janitorial, groundskeeping, and food service positions.
Pictures of Craggy Correctional Center
Careers at Craggy Correctional Center
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is currently hiring. If you would like to work at the Craggy Correctional Center, you can find out more information by clicking here.
