Foothills CI Visiting Hours and Rules

How the Visitor Application Works

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

Step 1. The person at Foothills 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, not back to the inmate.

Step 4. Every adult applicant who is 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 instead.

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

Step 6. You call (828) 475-7600 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 Foothills 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) 475-7600 or email [email protected].

Visit Limits

Each person at Foothills 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 per session means larger families may need to rotate across different weeks.

Visiting Hours

NC DAC does not publish specific visiting hours for Foothills online. Call (828) 475-7600 or email [email protected] before you travel. Hours can also change around holidays, so confirm close to your visit date.

Location and Getting There

Foothills Correctional Institution is at 5150 Western Ave., Morganton, NC 28655, in Burke County. Morganton sits along I-40 in western North Carolina, about 70 miles east of Asheville and 65 miles northwest of Charlotte. If you are traveling from out of state or a long distance, confirm the visit date and time with the facility before booking transportation.

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 for Visitors

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID on every visit. Acceptable IDs include a driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport or passport card, or U.S. military ID. Call (828) 475-7600 if you have a question about a specific ID type 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
• A check of your clothing against the dress code

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

Special Rules for STG-Validated Inmates

Foothills operates a 192-bed Security Threat Group Management Unit for gang-affiliated males 18 and older. If the person you are visiting has been validated as an STG member, visit rules are more restrictive:

• STG Level 2 validated: Contact visits are permitted, but only with immediate family members.
• STG Level 3 validated: Only non-contact visits are allowed.

If you are unsure of the person’s STG status or how it affects your visit, call (828) 475-7600.

Rules for Minors Visiting

Children can visit Foothills 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 required before the visit.

Video Visits

If you cannot visit in person, video visits are available through the Getting Out Visits app. You can download the app at GettingOut.com or gtlconnect.com. Visits can be on-demand or scheduled in advance on the person’s tablet inside Foothills. Video visits are a good option for family members who live far away or cannot travel.

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 in contraband is a felony. The consequences go beyond a denied visit.

Confirming Before You Travel

Visiting hours at Foothills are not posted online. Always call (828) 475-7600 or email [email protected] to confirm:

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

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