Alexander CI Visiting Hours and Rules

How the Visitor Application Works

You cannot walk up to Alexander CI and ask to visit. The process starts inside, not outside.

Step 1. The person at Alexander CI requests blank visitor application forms from facility staff.

Step 2. They mail the blank forms to anyone they want to add to their visitor list.

Step 3. Each prospective visitor fills out the form completely and mails it back to the facility directly, not back to the person inside.

Step 4. Every adult applicant 16 or older must attach a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID to their form. Minors under 16 must attach a copy of their birth certificate.

Step 5. The facility reviews and approves or denies each application. Once approved, you are added to the visitor list.

Step 6. Call (828) 848-5300 or email [email protected] to schedule your appointment.

Allow enough time for the application and approval process before planning your first visit. Contact the facility directly with questions. The person inside cannot reliably relay messages back to you.

Visitor List Rules

The person at Alexander CI can have up to 18 approved visitors on their list at any time. This total combines adults and minors. The list can be updated during open enrollment periods, which happen every 6 months from the person’s admission date. Outside of open enrollment, changes to the visitor list may require special circumstances.

To confirm you are on the approved list, call (828) 848-5300 or email [email protected].

Visit Limits

Each person at Alexander CI gets:

• One visit session per week
• Up to 2 hours per session
• A maximum of 3 visitors per session

Plan who will attend before you schedule. The 3-visitor limit means larger families may need to rotate across different weeks.

Visiting Hours

NC DAC does not publish specific visiting hours for Alexander CI online. Call (828) 848-5300 or email [email protected] before you travel. Hours can also change around holidays, so confirm close to your visit date.

Close Custody vs. Minimum Custody Visit Rules

Alexander CI holds both close-custody and minimum-custody males. Close custody residents may have more restricted contact conditions than minimum custody residents.

If the person you are visiting is in close custody, ask staff specifically about contact visit rules when you call to schedule. The Blue Unit holds new admissions and residents releasing from segregation or control, while Green Unit residents work in the Correction Enterprises furniture plant. Residents in the Red Unit are part of the mental health program. Ask the facility which conditions apply based on the person’s current unit and custody level.

Location and Getting There

Alexander Correctional Institution is at 633 Old Landfill Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681, in Alexander County. Taylorsville sits in the NC foothills, roughly 50 miles north of Charlotte and about 35 miles east of Hickory. If you are traveling from out of state or a long distance, confirm the visit date and time with the facility before booking transportation.

For directions, call (828) 848-5300.

Dress Code for Visitors

Arriving without meeting the dress code can result in a denied visit. The following are not allowed:

• Halter tops, tube tops, strapless tops, or tank tops
• Bare midriffs or tops that expose your stomach
• See-through or fishnet clothing
• Shorts, skirts, or dresses more than 3 inches above the kneecap
• Spandex or form-fitting stretch clothing
• Pants worn below the waist
• Wave caps, doo rags, or bandanas
• Clothing with STG (gang) symbols or profane imagery

Dress conservatively. If you are not sure whether an outfit is acceptable, wear something else. A denied visit because of a dress code issue wastes your trip.

ID Requirements

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID on every visit. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, or U.S. military ID. If you have a medical device such as a pacemaker or metal implant, bring a note from your doctor and let staff know before you go through the metal detector. Call (828) 848-5300 if you have a question about a specific ID before you travel.

Security Screening

All visitors go through security screening before entering. This includes:

• Metal detector screening
• Pat searches for visitors 16 and older

Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and AI glasses are prohibited in the visiting area. Leave them in your vehicle. Under-wire bras and clothing with metal components can trigger the metal detector.

Rules for Minors Visiting

Children can visit Alexander CI as part of the approved visitor list. A minor’s birth certificate must be attached to their visitor application. On the day of the visit:

• Minors must be accompanied by an approved adult at all times.
• The accompanying adult must be on the approved visitor list.
• If someone other than the child’s parent or legal guardian is bringing a minor, confirm with the facility what documentation is needed before the visit.

Video Visits

If you cannot visit in person, video visits are available through the Getting Out Visits app. Download the app at sso.gtlconnect.com. Visits can be on-demand or scheduled in advance on the person’s tablet inside Alexander CI. This is a good option if you live far from Taylorsville or cannot make the trip.

What Is Not Allowed During Visits

• Exchanging items with the person without prior staff approval
• Bringing in cash, food, or outside items
• Cell phones or recording devices in the visiting area
• Visiting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Attempting to bring contraband into the facility is a felony. The consequences go well beyond a denied visit.

Confirming Before You Travel

Always call (828) 848-5300 or email [email protected] to confirm:

1. The current visiting schedule
2. That the person you want to visit is still at Alexander CI
3. That your appointment is confirmed

Use the NC OPI inmate search to verify the person is still at Alexander CI before you make travel arrangements.