New Hanover Correctional Center Visiting Hours. How to Schedule a Visit

Location

New Hanover Correctional Center is at 330 Division Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 in New Hanover County. For visit questions, call (910) 251-2666.

A Note About This Facility

New Hanover Correctional Center is a minimum custody reentry prison, and it runs one of the most active work release programs in North Carolina. More than 140 residents leave the facility each day to work for community employers, including ILM Wilmington Airport, the Battleship North Carolina, NCDOT road squads, and municipal labor contracts. On weekdays, a resident may not be on facility grounds during business hours.

Before making the drive from anywhere, confirm two things: the current visiting schedule and whether the resident will be on grounds when you arrive. Reach the facility at (910) 251-2666. For questions about legal visits specifically, you can email [email protected].

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are not published on the facility’s website. Call (910) 251-2666 to get the current schedule before you plan your trip.

Hours can shift around holidays and during facility operations. Always confirm before traveling to Wilmington.

How to Get on the Visitor List

Step 1. The Resident Requests the Application

Ask the person inside to mail you a blank visitor application form. NC DAC facilities do not send forms directly to visitors. The form must come from the resident.

Step 2. Complete and Return the Application

Fill out the application with accurate information for each adult visitor: full name, address, date of birth, relationship to the resident, and photo ID type and number. Return the completed form to the facility by mail or as directed by the resident.

Step 3. Wait for Approval

The facility reviews each application. Once approved or denied, the resident is notified and passes the information to you. The approved list holds up to 18 people. List updates happen every 6 months, so plan ahead if you need to add or remove a name.

Step 4. Confirm Before You Visit

Once approved, call (910) 251-2666 to confirm the current visiting days and times and to verify the resident will be on facility grounds when you arrive. This step matters more at New Hanover than at a standard facility because of the daily work release schedule.

Visit Limits

Category	Limit
Visitors per session	Max 3
Sessions per week	1
Session length	Up to 2 hours
Approved list size	Up to 18 people
List update frequency	Every 6 months

What to Bring

Bring only what you need. Leave personal bags and belongings locked in your vehicle.

Required ID:

• Adults 16 and older: valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID)
• Minors under 16: birth certificate

Medical accommodations: If you have a metal implant or pacemaker and cannot pass through a metal detector without triggering it, bring a physician statement or your implant card. Staff will arrange an alternative screening method.

Leave in your car: purses, bags, cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, AI glasses, and personal electronics. Confirm with the facility whether small amounts of cash for vending machines are permitted.

Security Screening

All visitors go through security before entering the facility. Expect:

• Metal detector screening
• Pat search if the detector alarms or if staff select you for additional screening
• Inspection of any allowed items

Visitors who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be admitted.

Dress Code

NC DAC enforces a visitor dress code at all facilities. You may be turned away if your clothing does not comply. The following are not allowed:

• Halter tops, tube tops, strapless tops, or tank tops
• Bare midriffs or exposed midsections
• Fishnet or see-through clothing
• Shorts, skirts, or dresses more than 3 inches above the kneecap
• Spandex or body-hugging material
• Wave caps, doo rags, or bandanas
• Pants worn below the waist
• Clothing with STG (Security Threat Group/gang) symbols or profane language

When in doubt, wear plain, modest clothing. Call the facility if you are unsure about a specific item.

Visitors with Minor Children

Children under 16 need a birth certificate. Visitors 16 and older need a photo ID.

If the child’s parent or legal guardian is not one of the adult visitors accompanying them, the facility may require a notarized permission form. Call (910) 251-2666 before bringing a child to confirm what documentation is needed.

Children must stay with the approved adult visitor at all times during the visit.

Video Visits

If you cannot travel to Wilmington in person, video visits are available through the Getting Out Visits app, a ViaPath/GTL service. Go to sso.gtlconnect.com to create an account. You must be on the resident’s approved visitor list to schedule a video visit. Video visits are a good option on weekdays when the resident may be at a work assignment and cannot receive in-person visitors.

What’s Not Allowed

Do not bring contraband onto facility property. Attempting to bring drugs, alcohol, or weapons into an NC DAC facility is a felony. You will be arrested, and the resident’s visiting privileges may be suspended or revoked.

Do not pass anything to or accept anything from the resident during a visit without prior staff approval.

If a Visit Is Denied or Terminated

A visit can be denied if:

• You are not on the approved visitor list
• You do not have the required ID
• Your clothing does not meet the dress code
• Staff believe you are impaired

A visit can end mid-session if conduct becomes disruptive or facility operations require it. Follow all staff instructions at all times.

Confirming Before You Travel

Because so many New Hanover residents hold outside work assignments, confirming ahead of time is not optional. The most important steps before making the trip:

1. Call (910) 251-2666 to get the current visiting schedule (days and times)
2. Confirm the resident will be on facility grounds during your planned visit

Both can be answered with one phone call.