Columbus CI Visiting Hours. How to Get Approved and Schedule a Visit

Step 1. Get on the Approved Visitor List

Before you can visit Columbus Correctional Institution, you must be on the approved visitor list. The person inside starts the process by requesting blank visitor application forms from the facility and mailing them to you. You fill out the form and return it to Columbus CI.

Adults 16 and older must attach a copy of a valid photo ID. For minors under 16, attach a copy of their birth certificate. Clergy may be approved in addition to the standard 18-person limit.

NC DAC holds open enrollment every 6 months. If someone new wants to be added to the list outside of enrollment, they must wait for the next window. Once approved, you remain on the list.

Do not drive to Whiteville until you have confirmed approval and a scheduled appointment.

Step 2. Book Your Appointment

Columbus CI does not publish visiting hours online. Use these contacts to schedule:

• Visitation direct line: (910) 640-1879
• Visitation email: [email protected]

Book in advance and call again the day before your visit to confirm. Lockdowns, staffing changes, or other facility events can cause visits to be cancelled or rescheduled with little warning. A quick confirmation call saves you the trip.

Visitor Limits Per Session

Each session allows up to 3 visitors. Each person inside is limited to one session per week with a maximum of 2 hours. Plan who is attending before you call so you do not exceed the per-session cap.

Legal visits, attorney visits, law enforcement visits, and clergy visits do not count against the weekly session limit.

Video Visits

If you cannot make it to Whiteville, video visits are available through the GettingOut app. Download GettingOut from GettingOut.com or your device’s app store. You can schedule a visit or request an on-demand visit if the person has a tablet inside. Video visits are a good option for people living far from Columbus County or needing a mid-week check-in.

What to Bring

Bring one valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID. Expired IDs are not accepted.

Leave cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and AI glasses in your car. These items are not allowed inside the facility.

For minor children, bring a copy of their birth certificate. If someone other than the parent or legal guardian is bringing a child, contact the facility in advance to ask whether a notarized permission form is needed.

If you have a metal implant or pacemaker, bring a physician’s statement. Let the officer know before going through the metal detector.

Security Screening

All visitors 16 and older go through a pat or frisk search and electronic device screening upon entry. Metal detectors are in use. Underwire bras, metal belt buckles, and metal accessories can trigger the detector.

Nothing enters the visitation area that has not been approved by staff.

Dress Code

Columbus CI enforces a dress code. Arriving in prohibited clothing will get you turned away. The following are not allowed:

• Halter tops, tube tops, strapless tops, or tank tops
• Bare midriffs
• Fishnet or see-through clothing
• Spandex
• Shorts, skirts, or dresses more than 3 inches above the kneecap
• Wave caps, doo rags, or bandanas
• Pants worn below the waist
• Clothing with STG (security threat group) imagery or profane graphics

Wear plain, modest clothing. When in doubt, go conservative.

What’s Not Allowed

Bringing contraband into Columbus CI is a felony under North Carolina law. This includes drugs, weapons, alcohol, and any unauthorized item. Do not pass anything to the person inside or accept anything from them during the visit unless staff has explicitly pre-approved it.

Getting to Columbus CI

Columbus Correctional Institution sits at 1255 Prison Camp Road in Whiteville, Columbus County. Whiteville is in southeastern North Carolina, roughly 60 miles west of Wilmington and about 2.5 hours from Raleigh. Confirm the person is still at Columbus CI using the NC OPI inmate search before you leave home.