Columbus Correctional Facility Overview

The Columbus Correctional Facility, located in Whiteville, North Carolina, is a medium-security prison for adult male offenders. Established in the late 1930s, the prison has played a critical role in North Carolina’s correctional system. With a capacity of 698 inmates, Columbus Correctional Facility focuses on rehabilitation through education, vocational training, and substance abuse programs. The facility offers inmates the opportunity to earn their GED and learn valuable skills such as computer repair, HVAC, masonry, and plumbing, in partnership with Southeastern Community College.

The prison also provides employment opportunities through work assignments in maintenance, food service, and groundskeeping. One of the standout features of Columbus Correctional Facility is its partnership with Correction Enterprises, which operates a sewing and tailoring plant, offering additional job training to inmates. These initiatives aim to reduce recidivism by preparing inmates for reintegration into society.

Columbus Correctional Facility

Contact Information: Columbus Correctional Facility

  • Address: 1255 Prison Camp Road, Whiteville, NC 28472
  • Phone: 910-642-3285
  • Visitation Direct Line: 910-640-1879
  • Warden: Jennifer Walsh
  • Capacity: 698
  • Email: To contact the administration, visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website for more details.

Visiting Columbus Correctional Facility

Visitation at Columbus Correctional Facility is by appointment only, from Sunday through Thursday. Appointments must be made at least three days in advance by calling Monday to Thursday between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM or noon to 4:30 PM. Each inmate is allowed one visit per week, with a maximum of three visitors (adults and children) per visit.

Visitation Times:

  • Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (One-hour blocks)
  • Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Two-hour blocks)

When visiting, make sure to bring a valid photo ID. Visitors are subject to a dress code and security protocols, so it’s essential to review the guidelines before arrival. Visits can be extended for those who live over 500 miles away, but these must be scheduled in advance and are restricted to immediate family members.

How to Book a Visit to Columbus Correctional Facility

To book a visit, you must call the visitation direct line during specified hours and provide necessary information such as the inmate’s name and ID number. Visits are strictly regulated, with legal visits and non-contact visits requiring prior approval. Legal visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance, while non-contact visits are limited to one hour.

For extended visits or other special accommodations, approval from the facility is required. You can bring up to two adults or one adult and one child during a visit. Ensure that you follow all protocols regarding dress code and visitor behavior during your time at the facility.

Directions and Parking for Columbus Correctional Facility

Columbus Correctional Facility is located at 1255 Prison Camp Road, Whiteville, NC, in the southeastern part of the state. If driving, the facility is accessible via major highways, with parking available on-site for visitors. Make sure to plan your visit in advance and arrive early to complete the check-in process.

 

What is Life Like Inside Columbus Correctional Facility?

Inmates at Columbus Correctional Facility have access to a variety of rehabilitative programs. These include vocational courses in fields such as computer applications and brick masonry, as well as educational courses to help inmates earn their GED. The facility offers jobs within the prison, including kitchen work, maintenance, and groundskeeping, as well as external assignments like working on Department of Transportation road crews.

In addition to work and education, the facility provides substance abuse treatment and counseling to support inmates in overcoming addiction and preparing for life after prison. Despite the focus on rehabilitation, inmates housed in administrative or disciplinary segregation experience stricter living conditions.

Famous Prisoners at Columbus Correctional Facility

Over the years, Columbus Correctional Facility has housed several high-profile inmates. One of the most notorious is Robert Sylvester Alston, convicted of multiple murders and serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of four women in the early 1990s.

FAQs About Columbus Correctional Facility

  • What is Columbus Correctional Facility?
    Columbus Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison in Whiteville, North Carolina, for adult male offenders.

  • How do I schedule a visit to Columbus Correctional Facility?
    You must call the visitation line at 910-640-1879, Monday to Thursday, to schedule an appointment at least three days in advance.

  • What educational programs are offered at Columbus Correctional Facility?
    The facility offers GED preparation, vocational training in fields like masonry, HVAC, and computer repair, and substance abuse counseling.

  • How many visitors are allowed at Columbus Correctional Facility?
    Up to three visitors (adults and children) are permitted per inmate per week.

  • What are the visiting hours at Columbus Correctional Facility?
    Visits are held from Sunday to Thursday, with Sunday visits in one-hour blocks and weekday visits in two-hour blocks.

  • What types of jobs can inmates do at Columbus Correctional Facility?
    Inmates can work in maintenance, food service, housekeeping, groundskeeping, and at a sewing and tailoring plant run by Correction Enterprises.

  • Is there parking at Columbus Correctional Facility?
    Yes, parking is available for visitors at the facility.

  • What security level is Columbus Correctional Facility?
    It is a medium-security prison.

  • Can I send books or magazines to an inmate at Columbus Correctional Facility?
    Yes, but all reading materials must be sent directly from the publisher to ensure compliance with prison regulations.

  • Who is the warden of Columbus Correctional Facility?
    The current warden is Jennifer Walsh.

Visit Columbia Correctional Institution