Rutherford Correctional Center Visiting Hours. How to Schedule a Visit

Location

Rutherford Correctional Center is at 549 Ledbetter Road, Spindale, NC 28160 in Rutherford County. Spindale is in the foothills of western North Carolina, about 25 miles east of Asheville. For directions or questions, call (828) 286-4121.

A Note About This Facility

Rutherford is a minimum custody reentry prison. That means many residents have outside work assignments. Some serve on NCODT highway road crews in Cleveland, Polk, and Rutherford counties. Others have work release jobs with local employers. On weekdays, a resident may not be on facility grounds during working hours.

Call before you make the trip. Confirm the resident’s current schedule with the visitation team at (828) 286-4121 or [email protected].

Visiting Hours

Current visiting hours are not published on the facility’s website. Contact the facility directly to get current days and times:

• Phone: (828) 286-4121
• Email: [email protected]

Hours can change. Always call before you travel, especially if the visit falls on a holiday or Monday after a weekend.

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 email or distribute these forms directly to visitors. The form comes from the resident.

Step 2. Complete and Return the Application

Fill out the application accurately. Include all required information for every adult visitor (name, address, date of birth, relationship to the resident, photo ID type and number). Return the completed form to the facility by mail or as directed.

Step 3. Wait for Approval

The facility reviews the application and notifies the resident of the decision. The resident lets you know you have been approved. The list holds up to 18 approved visitors. List changes happen every 6 months, so plan ahead if you need to add or swap a name.

Step 4. Confirm Before You Visit

Once approved, contact the facility to confirm the current visiting schedule and to make sure the resident is available on the day you plan to come.

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 items locked in your vehicle.

Required ID:

• Adults 16 and older: valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, 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 implant card. Staff will note this and process you accordingly.

Leave in your car: purses, bags, cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, AI glasses, and other personal electronics. Most facilities allow you to bring a limited amount of cash for vending machines in a clear bag. Confirm the current policy when you call ahead.

Security Screening

All visitors go through security before entering. At Rutherford, expect:

• Metal detector screening
• Pat search if the metal detector alarms or if selected
• Possible bag check or x-ray of allowed items

Visitors who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to enter and will be asked to leave the property.

Dress Code

NC DAC enforces a dress code for all visitors. A visit may be denied or terminated if you arrive out of compliance. 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
• Clothing with profanity or offensive imagery

Dress in plain, modest clothing. If you are not sure whether something is acceptable, wear something else or call the facility before coming.

Visitors with Minor Children

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

If someone other than the child’s parent or legal guardian brings the child, the facility may require a notarized permission form from the parent or legal guardian. Call (828) 286-4121 to confirm what documentation is required before bringing a child whose parent is not present.

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

Video Visits

If you cannot visit in person, video visits are available through the Getting Out Visits app, a ViaPath/GTL service. Go to sso.gtlconnect.com to set up an account. You must be on the resident’s approved visitor list to schedule a video visit. Video visits are a good option if the resident is on a work assignment during the days you can travel.

What’s Not Allowed

Visitors may not bring contraband onto facility property. Attempting to bring in illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons is a felony in North Carolina. You will be arrested and the resident’s visiting privileges may be suspended or revoked.

Do not give anything to or accept anything from the resident during a visit unless it has been pre-approved by facility staff.

If the 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
• You are not dressed appropriately
• Staff have reason to believe you are impaired

A visit can be terminated during the session if conduct is disruptive or if facility operations require it. Follow all staff instructions at all times.

Confirming Before You Travel

Because Rutherford residents often have outside assignments, the most important thing you can do before making a trip is to confirm two things:

1. The current visiting schedule (days and hours)
2. Whether the resident will be on facility grounds at the time of your visit

Both questions can be answered by calling (828) 286-4121 or emailing [email protected].