Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women
Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women is a minimum-custody prison for adult female inmates that is located in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, this facility can house approximately 366 inmates.
Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women opened on July 7, 2008. Women previously housed at Black Mountain Correctional Center for Women were transferred to Swannanoa on that date.
SCCW renovationed four dormitories: Greenwood, Frye, Sloop, and Gilliat. Renovations on the vocation building provided offenders with an educational classroom and an operating greenhouse. Renovations to the Buchanan building accommodated the increasing offender population and offer more educational classrooms and a medical wing.
Prison Insights
Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women
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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
Visitation is on Saturdays from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. and from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. according to offenders' last names, A-K and L-Z. One group is in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. After six months, the groups rotate mornings and afternoons.
Visitors must check in at the prison's front entrance and present a valid, authorized photo identification. Approved visitors will then be subject to a pat/frisk search and then (if approved) allowed into the facility.
Special Visits: Visits requiring special permission such as those traveling long distances, legal or Pastoral will be required to contact the facility to schedule a date and time, as well as provide necessary information.
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 Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women.
Click here for more detailed information about visiting an inmate.
Dress Code
Visitors are required to present a current photo ID, and they will be subjected to a "routine" search of their personal and possessions prior to the visit.
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.
Physical Address
Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women
55 Lake Eden Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/BedHqc8upJjD3SSe8
General Phone Number
828-259-6000
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate Name, OPUS Number
Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
This facility is currently part of a pilot program that changes the way mail is sent to offenders. ALL mail to offenders at this facility must either be sent to the new address listed above or electronically texted to a third-party vendor for vetting and scanning to the facility.
To help prevent contraband that threatens the security and health of staff and offenders, mail will no longer be accepted at Swannanoa CCW during the pilot, but will be returned to sender.
All mail will now be screened by the third-party vendor, then scanned to the prison for prompt distribution to the offender. You can find out more information about this program by clicking here.
Note: Authentic legal mail must still be sent to the offender at the facility address.
Always make sure that the inmate’s full name and OPUS number appears on the envelope when sending inmate mail. For information about sending packages to an inmate, click here.
How to Call an Inmate
Inmates at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women 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 Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women 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
Educational and vocational classes are available to inmates at Swannanoa so they can earn their GED and/or learn new skills. This facility also offers substance abuse treatment.
Pictures of Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women
Careers at Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is currently hiring. If you would like to work at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women, you can find out more information by clicking here.
