Craven Correctional Institution: Inmate Search, Visiting & Contact Info | Pigeonly
Updated July 7, 2026
Verified from official government sources

Craven Correctional Institution, NC

Physical Address 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586

Craven Correctional Institution is a medium-security state prison for men in Vanceboro, Craven County, NC. Operated by the NC Department of Adult Correction since 1996, it holds up to 850 people and serves as one of NC's primary intake and processing centers. More than 400 convicted felons entering the state system each month come through Craven first for 3 to 4 weeks of testing, evaluation, and interviews before transferring to a permanent facility. Warden Christopher Auer oversees the facility. This guide covers the NC OPI inmate search, how to get on the approved visitor list, ViaPath/ConnectNetwork money deposits, phone calls at $0.10 per minute, and TextBehind mail. All data is verified from NC DAC.

Craven Correctional Institution
Craven Correctional Institution: Inmate Search, Visiting & Contact Info

City

Vanceboro

County

Craven County

State

NC

Facility Type

state prison

Gender

Male

Capacity

850

Custody Levels

Medium

Operator

NC Department of Adult Correction

Address

600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586

Phone

(252) 244-3337

How It Works

1

Search by Name

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2

Locate Their Facility

Find their current location, facility name, and housing details - updated from official government records.

3

Get Contact Details

See the facility address, phone number, visitation hours, and the steps to get in touch.

4

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Quick Facts

Visitation

  • Visits are by appointment only. Call (252) 244-3337 or email [email protected] to schedule.
  • Visiting hours are not published online. Call before you plan your trip.
  • You must be on the approved visitor list before your first visit. The person inside requests blank forms and mails them to you.
  • Up to 18 approved visitors total; max 3 per session; one session per week up to 2 hours.

Send Money

  • Use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork for deposits: connectnetwork.com or the ConnectNetwork app.
  • Phone deposits: Trust Fund 888-428-1845 or AdvancePay 800-483-8314.
  • Western Union code: NCDAC TRUST. Money orders are free (payable to TouchPay).
  • Only approved visitors may deposit funds.

Phone & Messaging

  • Calls go through ViaPath/GTL. Rate is $0.10 per minute with a 15-minute maximum per call.
  • Set up an AdvancePay account at connectnetwork.com or call 800-483-8314.
  • Video visits available through the GettingOut Visits app at sso.gtlconnect.com.
  • Calls are monitored and recorded.

Mail & Photos

  • Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Send to: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Craven Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131.
  • Your return address must include your full first AND last name, or mail will be returned.
  • Books and publications ship directly to 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586.
  • Legal mail does not go through TextBehind. Contact the facility directly.

Articles for This Facility

What You Need to Know

Verified from NC DAC OPI See our sources ›

Use the NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Public Information search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us to find anyone in NC state custody, including Craven CI. Search by name or OPUS Number. Write down the OPUS Number: you need it for every deposit, letter, and the visitor application form. Because Craven is an intake facility, your loved one may appear here first and then transfer to another facility within 3 to 4 weeks. Check the OPI regularly if the transfer has not happened yet.

See the full breakdown
Verified from NC DAC visitation policy See our sources ›

Visits at Craven CI are by appointment only. Call (252) 244-3337 or email [email protected] to schedule. Visiting hours are not published online, so call before planning a trip. You must be on the approved visitor list first. The person inside requests blank forms and mails them to you. Up to 18 visitors can be approved total, with a max of 3 per session and one session per week up to 2 hours.

See the full breakdown
Verified from ViaPath/ConnectNetwork See our sources ›

Deposits go through ViaPath/ConnectNetwork. Send online at connectnetwork.com, through the ConnectNetwork app, by phone at 888-428-1845, via Western Union (code: NCDAC TRUST), or by money order mailed to TouchPay at P.O. Box 174, Houston, TX 77001 (free). Only approved visitors may deposit funds. Fees apply for online and phone deposits.

See the full breakdown
Verified from ViaPath/GTL See our sources ›

Calls at Craven CI go through ViaPath/GTL at $0.10 per minute with a 15-minute maximum per call. Set up an AdvancePay account at connectnetwork.com or call 800-483-8314. Video visits are available through the GettingOut Visits app at sso.gtlconnect.com. Calls are monitored and recorded.

See the full breakdown
Verified from TextBehind/NC DAC mail policy See our sources ›

Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Send letters to: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Craven Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Your return address must include your full first and last name. TextBehind scans mail and delivers it electronically. Books and publications ship directly to 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586. Legal mail does not go through TextBehind.

See the full breakdown

Families Also Ask

6 of 7 questions

Q

How do I find someone at Craven Correctional Institution?

Use the NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Public Information search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view. Search by name or OPUS Number. The OPUS Number is required for deposits, mail, and the visitor application.

Inmate Search
Q

What is Craven Correctional Institution?

Craven Correctional Institution is a medium-security state prison for men in Vanceboro, Craven County, North Carolina, operated by the NC Department of Adult Correction. It opened in 1996, holds up to 850 people, and is one of NC's primary intake and processing centers. More than 400 convicted felons from county jails process through Craven each month. New admissions spend 3 to 4 weeks being evaluated, tested, and interviewed before transferring to their permanent facility.

About
Q

How do I visit Craven Correctional Institution?

Visits are by appointment only. Call (252) 244-3337 or email [email protected] to schedule. You must first be on the approved visitor list, which the person inside starts by requesting blank application forms and mailing them to you.

Visitation
Q

How do I send money to someone at Craven CI?

Use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork. Go to connectnetwork.com or the ConnectNetwork app and find Craven Correctional Institution. You can also call 888-428-1845, use Western Union with code NCDAC TRUST, or mail a money order payable to TouchPay. Only approved visitors may send funds.

Send Money
Q

How do phone calls work at Craven CI?

Calls go through ViaPath/GTL at $0.10 per minute with a 15-minute cap per call. Set up an AdvancePay account at connectnetwork.com or call 800-483-8314. Video visits are available through the GettingOut Visits app.

Phone Calls
Q

What is the mailing address for Craven CI?

Personal mail goes through TextBehind. Send to: [Full Legal Name, OPUS Number], Craven Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Your return address must include your full first and last name. Books and publications ship to 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586.

Mail
Q

If my loved one just went to prison in NC, will they be at Craven CI?

Possibly, yes. Craven CI is one of NC's primary intake facilities. Convicted felons entering the state prison system from county jails often come through Craven first for 3 to 4 weeks of testing and evaluation. After that, they transfer to a permanent facility. Search the NC OPI at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view to confirm their current location.

About

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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 7, 2026. Official source: dac.nc.gov/divisions-and-sections/institutions/prison-facilities/craven-correctional-institution ›