Harnett Correctional Institution

Harnett Correctional Institution is a medium-custody prison for adult male inmates that is located in Lillington, North Carolina. This facility is managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and can house approximately 988 inmates.

Harnett Correctional Institution has grown from a one-dormitory prison built when the State Highway Department ran the state prisons to a 30-acre prison compound sitting on a 198-acre site for medium security adult males. 

It has seven housing units divided into 29 separate dormitories, including 34 single cells used for restrictive housing purposes. The prison also has a dining hall, recreation building, education building, two vocational buildings, a chapel, six modular buildings, and a medical building for dental and nursing staff.

Harnett was one of 51 county prisons the state assumed responsibility for with the passage of the Conner Bill in 1931. It was one of 61 field unit prisons renovated or built during the late 1930's to house inmates who worked building roads.

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Harnett Correctional Institution

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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

Inmate Visitation at Harnett Correctional Institution is by appointment only.

Visitation is held Sunday through Thursdays, with the exception of holidays. Visitors who live outside a 150-mile radius from the institution are eligible for special visitation if they are unable to attend regular visitation, for a total of three hours on weekdays (two 1.5-hour sessions) or two hours on Sundays (two 1-hour sessions).  No visits are scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, and state-recognized holidays.

Appointments can be made up to two weeks in advance, but must be made at least three days prior to the visit. Visitors may schedule visits by telephone Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 910-893-2614.

The family visitation schedule is as follows:

  • Sunday: There are five one-hour sessions, with the first one beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the last one ending at 4 p.m. 
  • Monday: Three 90-minute sessions, with the first one starting at 9:30 a.m. and the last one ending at 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday: Legal and clergy beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Three 90-minute sessions, with the first one starting at 9:30 a.m. and the last one ending at 5 p.m.
  • Thursday: Three 90-minute sessions, with the first one starting at 9:30 a.m. and the last one ending at 5 p.m.

Visiting Application

You must complete an application and have it approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety before you can visit your inmate. Ask your inmate to send you a blank application for each adult and minor who wishes to visit. After you fill out your application, return it to the Harnett Correctional Institution for approval.

Click here for more detailed information about visiting an inmate.

Dress Code

You will be required to present a current photo ID (all minors are required to present a copy of their birth certificate) before you enter the visiting room. All visitors are subjected to a "routine" search of their personal and possessions prior to the visit.

Items not allowed in the visiting room include all bags and purses, cell phones, cameras, other electronic recording devices, and glass or metal objects.

You are allowed to bring small denomination bills and change to purchase food and drinks from the vending machines.  

All visitors must follow the dress code or they will not be allowed to visit. All visitors must 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

Harnett Correctional Institution
1210 E. McNeill Street
Lillington, NC 27546

Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/KsMEAYTpqBZVw8US6

General Phone Number

​910-893-2751

Inmate Mailing Address(es)

Inmate Name, OPUS Number
Harnett Correctional Institution
Box 1569
Lillington, NC 27546

The inmate’s full name and OPUS number must be on the envelope when you send inmate mail. For information about sending packages to an inmate, click here.

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at the Harnett Correctional Institution do have access to phones, but they can’t receive incoming calls. 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 Harnett Correctional Institution 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 option is to send money with your credit or debit card online by using JPay.com or 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

Central Carolina Community College works with the prison to provide vocational programs such as Barbering, Carpentry, Electrical Wiring, Food Services, Masonry, Welding, and Facility Maintenance. Classes in adult education and for preparing to take the HI-SET tests are also available. Offenders may also seek four-year degrees through University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill correspondence courses.

Correction Enterprises moved its meat processing plant from Dunn to Harnett in 1994. Offenders help process millions of pounds of frozen foods and meats for use in state prisons.

In January 1991, the Prisons Mental Health Services began the Sex Offender Accountability and Responsibility Program at Harnett. The mental health program provides treatment for up to 46 offenders for each 20-week program cycle. Harnett also offers a Substance Abuse Treatment Program.

Pictures of Harnett Correctional Institution

Careers at Harnett Correctional Institution

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is currently hiring. If you would like to work at the Harnett Correctional Institution, you can find out more information by clicking here.

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