Durham Correctional Center

County: Durham

Inmate capacity: 216

Inmate gender: Male

Custody level: Minimum

Staff size: 42

Occupancy: 1925

Administrator: R. Armstead Hodges

Durham Correctional Center
This Facility is CLOSED
This page is being displayed for historical purposes only

Mailing Address:
3900 Guess Road
Durham NC 27705

Street Address:
3900 Guess Road
Durham NC 27705

Phone: 919-477-2314
Fax: 919-471-2257

Facility #4210
Courier # 17-30-01

Durham Correctional Center

Durham Correctional Center is a minimum security prison that houses 216 adult male inmates.

In 1925, Durham County built a prison for $95,000 to house 150 inmates. Constructed of brick and surrounded by a heavy wire stockade, the three-story structure was noted as being the best planned prison of its kind in the state. On the first floor was dormitory space for inmates, as well as a dining hall. The second and third floors provided space for offices and staff. The building was heated by steam and showers were in the basement.

Durham was one of 51 county prisons for which the state assumed responsibility with the passage of the Conner bill in 1931. It was one of 61 field unit prisons renovated or built during the late 1930's to house inmates who worked building roads.

Inmates work a number of jobs. They may be assigned to the Department of Transportation road crews, Highway Litter Crews, Enterprise Laundry, and a number of jobs inside the facility to include food service, janitorial and landscaping. Inmates nearing parole may participate in the Work Release program, leaving the prison for part of the day to work for a business in the community. The facility also provides an evening part-time GED program through Durham Technical Community College for those inmates wishing to obtain their high school diploma.

Visitation is held on Sunday’s between the hours of 12:15 pm-4:30 p.m. depending on the inmate’s last name. Please contact the facility for the specific visiting time for inmates. Special visit requests can be requested by contacting the facility Program Director at 919-477-2314, ext. 241. Please contact the facility at (919) 477-2314, ext. 210 for the specific rules and regulations regarding the Inmate Visitation Policy prior to visiting an inmate.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-85 to the Guess Road exit and head north on Guess Road (N.C. 157) for approximately two miles. After passing the Willowdale Shopping Center, take a right in front of the Department of Transportation facility. The prison is at the end of the street.