Johnston Correctional Institution
Johnston Correctional Institution is a minimum-custody prison for adult male inmates that is located near Smithfield, North Carolina. This facility is managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and can house approximately 640 inmates in their dormitory-style housing.
This facility was established in 1938 when the State Highway Department operated the prison system. In 1966, Johnston Correctional Institution converted to a Youth Center for minimum-security males under the age of 21. In 1979, Johnston Correctional Institution became a medium-security prison for adult males.
Prison Insights
Johnston 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
Visitors must schedule visits by telephone by calling 919-934-0549 Tuesday through Friday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Appointment requests for Saturday and Tuesday will not be made after 2 p.m. of the preceding Wednesday. Visits must be scheduled no later than three days in advance and not more than two weeks in advance. Appointments for visits will not be accepted by phone on Saturday. No visits will be scheduled on holidays.
For visitors already approved on the offender’s visitation list, a Visitation Appointment Request form may be completed during visitation to request a future visit. The form must be completed legibly in its entirety and must be submitted to the visitation officer within the first 15 minutes of an ongoing visit. The visitor will be notified before leaving whether the request is approved or rejected.
Visiting Schedule for Offenders in Regular Population:
Tuesday through Friday: (1st Session) 8:30–10:30 a.m.; (2nd Session) 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Saturday: (1st Session) 8:30–10 a.m.; (2nd Session) 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; (3rd Session) 2–3:30 p.m.
NOTE: Tuesday through Friday will consist of two-hour visits per session, and Saturday will consist of 90 minute visits per session. All visits will be by appointment only. Special visits will be granted to visitors traveling 200 miles or more. These visits will have to be arranged by visitation staff.
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 Johnston 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.
Visitors are not allowed to bring bags and purses, cell phones, cameras, other electronic recording devices, and glass or metal objects into the visiting room. You can bring $1 and $5 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
Johnston Correctional Institution
510 Turnage Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/VnVUo7qBRrbjmGn69
General Phone Number
919-934-8386
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate Name, OPUS Number
Johnston Correctional Institution
2465 US 70 West
Smithfield, NC 27577
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
You can’t call an inmate at the Johnston Correctional Institution, but they do have access to phones. 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 Johnston 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
Johnston Community College works with the prison to provide vocational classes in masonry, horticulture, electrical wiring, and food service technology. JCC also provides academic classes in Adult Basic Education and High School Equivalency Diploma (ABE/GED). HSE testing is available. Human Resource Development and college correspondence courses are also available.
Offenders may also take part in self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Substance abuse treatment is provided through the NCDPS alcohol and chemical dependency programs (ACDP) and other substance abuse programs including “Big Book Study” and “Twelve-Step Program.” Cognitive behavior programs include “Thinking for a Change.” Offenders may also participate in the Men's Service Club and various religious services.
Offenders work in the prison as maintenance workers, food services workers, janitors, canteen operators, clothes house operators, barbers, library clerks, teacher's aides, and chaplain clerks. Offenders provide the labor force for Correction Enterprises' Chase Laundry in Goldsboro and various inmate construction programs.
Pictures of Johnston Correctional Institution
Careers at Johnston Correctional Institution
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is currently hiring. If you would like to work at the Johnston Correctional Institution, you can find out more information by clicking here.