Gaston Correctional Center Visiting Hours. How to Schedule a Visit

Location

Gaston Correctional Center is at 520 Justice Court, Dallas, NC 28034, in Gaston County. Dallas is about 25 miles west of downtown Charlotte. Call (704) 922-3861 for directions or to confirm parking arrangements.

Visiting Hours

NC DAC does not publish specific visiting hours for Gaston Correctional Center online. Hours are set by the facility and can change. Call (704) 922-3861 or email [email protected] before you travel to get the current schedule and confirm your slot.

Hours can also change around holidays. Always call ahead if you are traveling on or near a holiday weekend.

Step 1. Get on the Approved Visitor List

Before you can visit, you need to be on the resident’s approved visitor list. The process works like this:

1. Ask the resident to request a blank visitor application form from the facility.
2. The resident mails the blank form to you.
3. You fill out the form with your personal information.
4. You return the completed form to Gaston Correctional Center for review.
5. Staff review and approve or deny the application.

Up to 18 people may be on a resident’s approved list. The list is reviewed every 6 months, so visitors may need to reapply when the enrollment period resets.

Adults age 16 and older must attach a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID when submitting the application. Acceptable IDs include a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID.

Minors under age 16 must attach a copy of their birth certificate instead of a photo ID.

Step 2. Schedule Your Visit

Once you are on the approved list, visits are by appointment. Contact the facility at (704) 922-3861 or email [email protected] to schedule your session and confirm the current hours.

Do not travel without a confirmed appointment. The facility will not let you visit if you are not scheduled.

Visit Limits

NC DAC standard visitation rules for minimum custody reentry facilities apply:

• Maximum 3 visitors per session
• One session per week per resident
• Sessions run up to 2 hours

Coordinate with other family members so the 3-visitor limit is used for the people who matter most to the resident.

Dress Code

NC DAC enforces a dress code for all visitors. You may be denied entry or asked to leave if you do not follow these rules. Do not wear:

• Halter tops, tube tops, strapless tops, or tank tops
• Bare-midriff tops or see-through clothing
• Fishnet or mesh garments
• Shorts, skirts, or dresses more than 3 inches above the kneecap
• Spandex or form-fitting clothing
• Wave caps, doo rags, or bandanas
• Clothing with gang-related symbols, profane language, or drug and alcohol references
• Pants worn below the waist

Dress modestly and conservatively. If you are unsure whether an outfit is acceptable, call (704) 922-3861 ahead of your visit.

What to Bring

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Leave everything else in your vehicle. You will need to secure personal items before entering the visiting area.

Do not bring:

• Cell phones or smartwatches
• Cameras or AI glasses
• Purses, bags, or backpacks
• Food or drinks (unless specifically allowed by the facility)

If you have a medical device such as a pacemaker or metal implant that affects metal detector screening, bring a physician’s statement explaining the condition.

Security Screening

All visitors go through security before entering the visiting area. This includes:

• Metal detector screening
• Pat search
• Possible canine screening

Visitors who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to visit and may be required to leave the property.

Bringing Children

Children under 16 may visit, but must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an immediate family member on the approved visitor list. If someone other than a parent is bringing a minor child, you need a notarized permission form from the non-incarcerated parent or legal guardian, plus the child’s birth certificate.

Children must be properly dressed and supervised at all times during the visit.

Reentry Facility Note

Gaston Correctional Center is a reentry facility. Residents can be assigned to work release jobs, DOT road squads, municipality crews, or community leave on weekdays during business hours. This means a resident may not be on facility grounds during your planned visit.

Always call (704) 922-3861 or email [email protected] before traveling to confirm the resident will be there. A quick call can save you a wasted trip.

Video Visits

If in-person scheduling is difficult, video visits are available through the Getting Out Visits app (ViaPath/GTL) at sso.gtlconnect.com. You need to be on the resident’s approved visitor list to use video visits. Video visits can also be a practical option on weekdays when the resident may be back on grounds only in the evening.

What’s Not Allowed During a Visit

• Giving anything to the resident or accepting anything from them without prior staff approval
• Bringing contraband onto facility property (this is a felony)
• Tobacco or tobacco-like products
• Using cell phones or recording devices in the visiting area

Violations can end the visit immediately and may affect future visitation privileges for the resident.

Attorneys and Clergy

Attorneys and approved religious leaders may visit outside of regular visiting hours. Contact the facility at (704) 922-3861 to arrange these visits and confirm the credential requirements before arriving.