Stokes Correctional Center

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

Stokes Correctional Center
(Closed October 1999)
Route 3, Box 96A
Walnut Cove, NC 27052
(336) 593-8142

Stokes Correctional Center, near Walnut Cove, is a minimum security prison for adult males.

Stokes was one of 61 field unit prisons renovated or built during the late 1930s to house inmates who worked building roads.

In the 1950s, the prison was converted from a medium to a minimum security unit. In 1965, the prison was designated to house inmates classified as "C" grade health, meaning medical problems prohibited them from working. During this period, inmates maintained a garden that provided vegetables for nearby prisons.

In the 1970s, the prison's mission changed again and it began housing committed youthful offenders. (Under the Fair Sentencing Act, judges could sentence persons under the age of 25 as committed youthful offenders making them immediately eligible for parole. This type of sentencing was eliminated when Structured Sentencing was enacted in 1994.)

The prisons original dormitories were in use until the prison was closed. A modular dormitory was added in 1978. In the 1970s, the former state prison at Dobson was put to use as an education facility for inmates from Stokes and Yadkin correctional centers. At Dobson, Surry Community College provides vocational classes in light construction and automotive repair. Classes are also offered in computer literacy, adult education and preparation for the GED tests. Prison Mental health services offers a Relapse Prevention Program for Sex Offenders at Dobson.

In the 1970s, inmates worked under contract at the Forsyth Hospital laundry and the prison provided up to 40 inmates on work release to the Stoneville Furniture Company. Today, inmates may be assigned to Department of Transportation road crews, Community work squads or may work under contract for local government agencies. Inmates are also assigned to maintenance, kitchen, work release or unit duties such as clothes house operator, canteen operator or barber.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-40 to Winston-Salem. Then travel north on U.S. 311 to Walnut Cove, and west on N.C. 89 toward Danbury. The prison is in Meadows off N.C. 89 on Dodgetown Road.