Search the NC OPI by name or OPUS Number. New admissions often appear at Craven temporarily before transferring to a permanent facility in 3 to 4 weeks.
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To find someone at Craven Correctional Institution, use the NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Public Information (OPI) search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view. It is the official, free NC state lookup for anyone in NC DAC custody. Search by name or OPUS Number. Once you find the record, write down the OPUS Number. You will need it for every deposit, piece of mail, and the visitor application. Because Craven is one of NC’s primary intake facilities, your loved one may appear at Craven temporarily and then transfer to a permanent facility within 3 to 4 weeks. This guide explains what to expect and what to do if the location changes.
Go to webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view. Enter the person’s first and last name. If you already have their OPUS Number, enter it for a more exact match. Craven CI is a NC DAC state prison. Anyone in NC state custody there appears in the OPI.
The search is free and does not require creating an account.
A result displays the person’s full legal name, OPUS Number, and current facility. It may also include custody level, projected release date, and other basic details NC DAC makes public.
The OPUS Number is the most important piece. Save it. You will use it for:
Craven Correctional Institution is one of North Carolina’s primary intake and processing centers. When convicted felons leave county jails and enter the state prison system, many come through Craven first. More than 400 people process through each month.
New admissions spend roughly 3 to 4 weeks at Craven being tested, evaluated, and interviewed. NC DAC uses that period to determine which permanent facility is the right fit based on custody level, programming needs, medical needs, and other factors. Once that process is done, the person transfers out.
What this means for you: If you search the OPI and see Craven CI as the current facility, that does not mean Craven is the permanent placement. Check back every few days. The record will update when the transfer happens. If it has been more than 4 weeks and the OPI still shows Craven, call (252) 244-3337 to ask whether the person is still there or has already been assigned to a permanent facility.
The NC OPI database updates regularly. Records from a new sentence, transfer, or booking can take one to two days to appear. If you recently learned the person was sent to Craven CI and the search returns nothing, wait a day and try again.
The search does not show a real-time roster or daily update log. It reflects NC DAC records as they are processed. For the most current location, call Craven CI at (252) 244-3337.
Several situations can cause a record to be missing or show the wrong location:
If none of these apply, call Craven CI at (252) 244-3337 and ask whether the person is housed there.
When your loved one transfers from Craven to a permanent facility, the OPI record will update to the new facility. At that point:
The OPUS Number does not change when someone transfers. It stays with the person for the length of their NC DAC sentence.
Once you have the OPUS Number, you are ready to take the next steps:
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The NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Public Information (OPI) search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do?method=view. It is free and run by NC DAC.
Inmate SearchThe OPUS Number is the unique ID North Carolina assigns to each person in state custody. You need it to send money through ConnectNetwork, send mail through TextBehind, and complete the visitor application.
Inmate SearchCraven Correctional Institution is one of NC's primary intake facilities. Convicted felons from county jails often enter the state prison system through Craven first. They spend 3 to 4 weeks there being tested and evaluated before NC DAC assigns them to a permanent facility. The OPI record will update when they transfer.
Inmate SearchNew admissions typically stay 3 to 4 weeks during the intake and processing period. After that, NC DAC assigns them to a permanent facility based on custody level, programming needs, and other factors. If it has been more than 4 weeks and they are still showing at Craven, call (252) 244-3337 to ask.
Inmate SearchThe OPUS Number stays the same when someone transfers. However, the visitor approval at Craven CI does not automatically carry over. You will need to start the visitor approval process at the new facility. ConnectNetwork and TextBehind work the same way, but update the facility name in the system.
Inmate SearchThey may have been recently sentenced or transferred and the record has not updated yet. Wait one to two days and try again. Also try alternate name spellings. If they are in federal custody, they will not appear in the NC OPI at all. Search bop.gov/inmateloc for federal inmates. If still not found, call Craven CI at (252) 244-3337.
Inmate SearchYes. If you already have the OPUS Number, enter it directly in the OPI search for a more exact result.
Inmate SearchThe OPI record will show the new facility after the transfer is processed, usually within one to two days of the move. That is their current location. Update your deposits, mail, and visitor application for the new facility.
Inmate SearchYes. It is free and does not require creating an account.
Inmate SearchThe database updates regularly, but new records from sentencing or transfers can take one to two days to appear. If you recently learned the person was sent to Craven CI, wait a day before searching.
Inmate SearchYes. The OPI results typically include custody level. Craven CI is medium security. Custody level affects visiting procedures.
Inmate SearchWrite down their OPUS Number. Then set up a ConnectNetwork account to send money, start the visitor application process, set up AdvancePay for phone calls, and send mail through TextBehind.
Inmate SearchNo. The NC OPI only shows people in NC state custody. For federal inmates, use the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc with their BOP Register Number.
Inmate SearchUse the OPUS Number you found to deposit funds online or by app.
View ArticleStart the visitor application. Visits are by appointment only.
View ArticleSet up AdvancePay so calls connect right away.
View ArticleThe TextBehind address and what to include on every piece of mail.
View ArticleSearch for your loved one and start sending photos, letters, and messages today.
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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.