Wake Correctional Center

Wake Correctional Center is a minimum-custody prison for male inmates that is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. This facility is managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and can house approximately 414 inmates.

This facility is primarily a “work” unit in that 80 percent of the offenders leave the facility each day for incentive wage work assignments in various state agencies in the Wake County area. 

Offenders also work at other area adult correctional facilities and Correction Enterprises operations. 

There are also offenders nearing their release date that participate on the work release program, leaving the facility to work for businesses in the community. Incentive wage work assignments are also available at the prison in the food service, clothes house, janitorial, landscaping, maintenance, canteen, and recreation areas.

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

Regular visitation is on the weekend by appointment from 8-10 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. Visitation times rotate monthly. 

The facility has special visitation for lawyers and clergy by appointment Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 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. It is the inmate’s responsibility 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 Wake Correctional Center for approval.

Click here for more detailed information about visiting an inmate at Wake Correctional Center.

Dress Code

Be prepared to show a current photo ID (all minors are required to present a copy of their birth certificate) before entering the visiting room, and you will also be subjected to a search.

Bags and purses, cell phones, cameras, other electronic recording devices, and glass or metal objects are not allowed in the visiting room. You can bring $1 and $5 bills and change to purchase food and drinks from the vending machines.  

The dress code is strictly enforced. 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.
• No wave caps, doo rags, and bandanas.
• Slacks and pants are to be worn at or above the waist.
• No spandex clothing.

Wake Correctional Center encourages family and friends to write to offenders. 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

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Wake Technical Community College works with the prison to provide full-time vocational classes in Certified Communications, Heating/Air Conditioning and Electrical Wiring. Part-time classes in Blueprint Reading and Horticulture are also available. Educational classes in GED, college-level courses and college correspondence classes are available.

The Family Enrichment Program is offered through Vinebrook Family Services and provides an opportunity for the offenders and their families to work with counselors on a wide range of marriage and family issues.

Offenders may participate in worship services, Bible studies, and various spiritual discussion groups on site. Wake Correctional Center has volunteer chaplains who minister to the offenders.

Pictures of Wake Correctional Center

Careers at Wake Correctional Center

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