Buncombe Correctional Center

County: Buncombe

Inmate capacity: 182

Inmate gender: Male

Custody level: Minimum

Staff size: 52

Occupancy: January 1989

Administrator: Richard Terry

Buncombe Correctional Center

Mailing address:
PO Box 18089
Asheville, NC 28814

Street address:
Hwy 251 North
Asheville NC 28814

Phone: 828-645-7630
Fax: 828-658-2494

Facility #4675
Courier # 12-67-01

NC State Seal

Buncombe Correctional Center, near Asheville, is a minimum-security prison for adult males. The prison was built in 1988 and the first inmates arrived January 25, 1989.

Lawmakers created the new prison with a 104 bed dormitory as part of the $28.5 million Emergency Prison Facilities Development program authorized in 1987. The prison was designed and developed as a work release facility. Since opening a modular housing unit has been added.

Buncombe sits on a 15-acre tract off Highway 251, six miles north of Asheville. The majority of the facility is under one roof. The building consists of a dormitory with administrative offices, a dining hall and some storage, In addition to the modular housing unit that is not attached.

All inmates assigned to the prison are within five years of their release date or parole eligibility.

Asheville/Buncombe Technical Community College works with the prison to provide classes for adult education and preparation for the GED tests. Inmates may also participate in substance abuse treatment programs, parenting programs, Cognitive Behavior Intervention programs and numerous religious programs.

Inmates work in a number of jobs. They may be assigned to Department of Transportation road crews, litter crews or work under contract for one of the nine local government agency contracts. Inmates may also be assigned to maintenance or kitchen duties. Inmates nearing parole may participate in work release, leaving the prison for the part of the day to work for a business in the community.

Visitation is held on Saturday’s at different times based on the inmates’ last name. Effective Oct. 1, 2004, no visitor will be allowed access unless they have an approved visitation application on file. For specific times for visitation please call the unit and speak with the Officer in Charge. A copy of the visitation schedule and rotation is available at the facility.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-40 toward Asheville when nearing Asheville from west or east take I-240 to I-26 west & 19/23 north. Take the Newbridge exit and at bottom of the ramp take a right and then an immediate left onto Weaverville Highway. Go 1.3 miles and take a left onto Old Marshall Highway. Follow for 1.6 miles to Stop Sign at Riverside Drive. Straight through, approx .4 miles and Buncombe Correctional Center will be on your right. Craggy Correctional Center is .5 mile beyond Buncombe Correctional Center.