Mountain View Correctional Institution

Mountain View Correctional Institution is a medium-custody prison for adult male inmates. Managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, this facility is located in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, and can house approximately 884 inmates.

Mountain View Correctional Institution opened in December 1998 as a private prison owned and operated by Corrections Corporation of America. On October 1, 2000, the former Department of Correction assumed operating control of the prison, and the state later purchased the facility from CCA.

Mountain View Correctional Institution has been designated to accommodate adjudicated adult offenders in a single-cell setting, a segregation unit, and an Intensive Control unit. 

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

General Population Offenders: The visitation schedule is based on the first letter of the offender's last name. Visitor groups will rotate every four months. It is the responsibility of the visitor to ensure they are present at the correct time. Groups, times, and months are as follows:

• January through April -- A-G: Saturday, 1:00 PM-3:00PM, H-M: Sunday, 8:00 AM-10:00 AM, N-Z: Sunday, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
• May through August -- A-G: Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM.; H-M: Saturday, 1:00 PM - 3:00PM.; N-Z: Sunday, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
• September through December -- A-G: Sunday, 8:00AM - 10:00 AM.; H-M: Sunday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM p.m.; N-Z: Saturday, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Special Visits for Regular Population Offenders: Offenders who are housed in the regular population may request special visits. Approval or disapproval for all special visits will be based on the security needs of this facility.

Special visits may be requested for attorneys, clergy, and immediate family. Special visits must be arranged at a minimum of 24 hours in advance and no more than eight days in advance. They occur Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Special visits for family purposes are expected to occur during regular visitation; therefore, special visits are only authorized every 90 days. Requests for a special visit must be approved through the administrative secretary. Visitation will not occur on holidays unless approved by the prison superintendent.

Segregation Offenders: Offenders who are assigned to segregation status or pose other identified security concerns will receive visits by appointment only in the non-contact visitation area. These visits must be approved by the segregation supervisor and have a maximum duration of one hour and will occur between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Offenders housed in segregation will receive no more than one visit per week.

Visiting Application

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 Mountain View Correctional Institution.

Click here for more detailed information about visiting an inmate at Lincoln.

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. No cell phones, cameras, or other electronic recording devices, and no glass or metal objects are allowed. 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.

Make sure that the full name and OPUS number of the inmate appears on the envelope of all inmate mail. For information about sending packages to an inmate, click here.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Inmates at Mountain View Correctional Institution have the option to take academic education and vocational classes.

Education provides the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make adult and youth inmates literate. Education programs also prepare adults and youth for meaningful and satisfying roles as working and contributing members of society.

Academic education prepares inmates:

• to read, write, and compute.
• to pass the GED Test.
• to acquire survival skills.
• to provide social education.

Vocational education prepares inmates:

• for employment with job skills training.
• to increase productivity while working in prison jobs and in employment in the community upon release.
• by increasing their sense of accomplishment and ability.

Pictures of Mountain View Correctional Institution

Careers at Mountain View Correctional Institution

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