Craven Correctional Institution is a medium-security prison processing center located in Vanceboro, North Carolina. The facility is responsible for processing convicted felons from North Carolina jails, evaluating, and interviewing them to determine their suitability for placement in the state’s prison system. The prison has a capacity of 850 inmates and is one of the largest processing centers in the state.
Southern Correctional Institution, which was once responsible for processing new inmates, was closed in 1996, and the processing center function was transferred to Craven Correctional Institution. The facility is composed of several buildings, including housing units, educational and vocational training facilities, and administrative offices.
The prison provides a range of services, including medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and educational and vocational programs to help inmates prepare for their release and reintegration into society.
The prison has been in the news recently for the Innovations and Teams Award won by James Menke, the lead nurse supervisor, for his creation of a sophisticated medication tracking and recovery system at the prison. The prison has also undergone a PREA audit, which is a federal audit to ensure that prisons are in compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003. The audit found that the prison was in compliance with the act, and no issues were identified.
| Security | Medium |
| Capacity | 850 |
| Physical Address | 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | 252-244-3337 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
Craven Correctional Institution is a medium custody correctional facility located in Vanceboro, North Carolina. It serves as a reception and diagnostic facility for adult males who have been convicted of a crime and are entering the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s prison system. The facility is responsible for the intake and initial processing of offenders, where they are assessed, tested, and interviewed to determine their proper treatment and security needs.
Location
Craven Correctional Institution is located at 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586. The facility is situated in Craven County, which is in the eastern part of North Carolina.
Facility Type
Craven Correctional Institution is a prison processing center that serves as a medium-security prison. The facility type is a prison processing center, which means that it is responsible for the intake and initial processing of offenders. During the three-to-four-week period that new admissions are at Craven, they are evaluated and interviewed to determine their proper treatment and security needs. The facility also serves as a classification period for inmates to determine their permanent location and work assignments.
Limited visitation is allowed at Craven Correctional Institution. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list and follow the facility’s visitation rules and regulations.
Overall, Craven Correctional Institution plays a vital role in the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s prison system by providing a secure and efficient reception and diagnostic facility for new admissions. The facility ensures that inmates are properly assessed, tested, and interviewed to determine their proper treatment and security needs. It also provides programming and other resources for inmates to connect with their families and prepare for their eventual release.
Inmate Information
Craven Correctional Institution is a state prison processing center that houses convicted felons from North Carolina jails. The facility has a capacity of 850 male inmates and is classified as a medium-custody facility. Inmates are processed and go through intake and processing at the facility before being transferred to their designated state prison.
Processing
Inmates are processed at the Craven Correctional Institution before being transferred to their designated state prison. During processing, inmates are assigned an ID number and an Opus number, which are used to identify them throughout their term of commitment. Inmates are also required to provide their addresses and contact information.
Inmates at the Craven Correctional Institution receive mail on Saturdays and Sundays. All mail must be sent to the following address:
- Name and Opus Number
- Name of Prison (do not abbreviate)
- P.O. Box 247
- Phoenix, MD 21131
Private/privileged mail from legal institutions and publisher book deliveries should continue to be sent to:
- Inmate Name – Inmate ID, Craven Correctional Institution, 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586
All mail is subject to inspection and must be approved by the facility before being delivered to the inmate.
Visitation
Visitors must be approved and scheduled in advance for visitation at the Craven Correctional Institution. Visitors must provide a valid ID and their Opus number when visiting.
Special visits may be granted for extenuating circumstances but must be approved by the facility in advance. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, visitors are required to follow all safety protocols and guidelines set forth by the facility. For more information call 252-244-3337.
Programs
The Craven Correctional Institution offers a variety of programs for inmates, including substance abuse treatment, educational programs, and vocational training. Inmates may also participate in recreational activities and religious services.
Jobs and Education
Inmates at the Craven Correctional Institution may participate in vocational training programs and work assignments. Work assignments may include maintenance, janitorial, and kitchen duties. Inmates may also participate in educational programs, including GED classes and college courses.
Inmate Search
To locate an inmate at the Craven Correctional Institution, use the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s offender search tool at this link. Visitors may also contact the facility directly for more information on inmate location and visitation.
Contact Information
Craven Correctional Institution is located at 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586. The facility can be contacted via phone or mailing address.
Phone
The phone number for Craven Correctional Institution is 252-244-3337. This phone number can be used to reach the facility’s main office. The phone is answered during normal business hours, and callers can leave a message after hours.
Mailing Address
The mailing address for Craven Correctional Institution is:
- Name and Opus Number
- Name of Prison (do not abbreviate)
- P.O. Box 247
- Phoenix, MD 21131
This address should be used for all mail correspondence with the facility. When sending mail to an inmate, be sure to include the inmate’s full name and ID number on the envelope. All incoming mail is subject to inspection, so it is important to follow the facility’s guidelines for sending mail.
It is important to note that Craven Correctional Institution is a male facility, and all inmates housed at the facility are male. If you are looking for information about other North Carolina correctional facilities, you can visit the NC DAC website for a complete list of facilities and their contact information.