Black Mountain Correctional Center for Women

County: Buncombe

Inmate capacity: 80

Inmate gender: Female

Custody level: Minimum

Staff size:

Occupancy: March 1986

Administrator:
Victoria Justice

Black Mountain Correctional Center for Women (Closed)

Mailing Address:
PO Box 609
Black Mountain NC 28711-0609

Street Address:
1449 North Fork Road
Black Mountain NC 28711

Phone 828-664-2002
Fax 828-664-2007

Facility #3040
Courier 12-84-09

Black Mountain Correctional Center for Women

Black Mountain Correctional Center for Women was a minimum-security prison for women from Western North Carolina. It closed in July 2008, when its staff and inmate population moved to the new Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. There are plans for the Black Mountain campus to become a residential substance abuse treatment facility for female probationers.

A building from the Department of Human Resources Black Mountain Center was turned over to the Department of Correction, renovated into a women's prison and began operation in March 1986. The prison's two-story building sits on a seven acre tract. There are no fences, bars or gates surrounding the facility.

The General Assembly provided $412,000 in 1993 for a multipurpose building that opened in 1997 to provide program, worship and office space.

The prison has a community work squad where a correctional officer leads a crew of up to ten inmates in short term, manual labor work for local governments. Inmates nearing parole may participate in work release, leaving the prison for part of the day to work for a business in the community. Jobs are in the Black Mountain, Swannanoa and Asheville areas. Inmates may also be assigned to maintenance or kitchen duties.

The prison has strong ties with the community. Since 1992, inmate volunteers have been working with churches and community volunteers to renovate a home each year in Black Mountain as a community service project. The prison was the first in the state to participate in these projects.

Saint James Episcopal Church with the support of several other local churches provide four retreats annually for inmate mothers and their children. Each retreat allows up to inmates to spend time with their children at a local Episcopal conference center.

A mobile classroom donated by a community volunteer provides space for a contractual teacher to teach GED classes. In addition, Asheville-Buncombe County Community Technical College offers courses in survival skills training and job skills.

There are over 300 community volunteers who provide services to the prison. They offer counseling, substance abuse education, Bible studies, weekly worship and spiritual programs.

Inmates may participate in a number of programs that offer counseling and substance abuse education. They may also take part in Yokefellow Bible studies and worship services. Agencies and volunteers provide many programs including one-on-one educational tutoring.

Saturday 8:30 - 10:30 AM last name that begins with A - J
Saturday 2:00 - 4:00 PM last name that begins with K - Z

--Special visits may be set up by the Superintendent or designee by calling (828) 664-2002 but require a 24 hour advance notice.

--Pastoral visits may be set up by the Unit Chaplain by calling (828) 664-2002 but require a 24 hour advance notice.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-40 west to the Black Mountain exit, old U.S. 70 and drive through the town of Black Mountain for about two miles. The Black Mountain Center will be on your right. Black Mountain Correctional Center for Women is located behind the Black Mountain Center. At the stop light, turn right onto North Fork Road. Take the 2nd drive to the right and the prison will be on the right.