NC Department of Correction - Prisons - Wilkes Correctional Center

County: Wilkes

Inmate capacity: 262

Inmate gender: Male

Custody level: Minimum

Staff size: 54

Occupancy: 1938

Administrator: Bobby Harless

Wilkes Correctional Center

Mailing Address:
404 Statesville Road
North Wilkesboro NC 28659

Street Address:
404 Statesville Road
North Wilkesboro NC 28659

Phone: 336-667-4533
Fax: 336-667-4095

Facility #4665
Courier # 15-13-36

NC State Seal

Wilkes Correctional Center, near North Wilkesboro, is a minimum security prison for adult males.

Wilkes 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.

The prison's original dormitory is still in use. A modular dormitory added in 1977 has since been closed.

The General Assembly provided three 50 bed dormitories for Wilkes as part of the $87.5 million prison construction program authorized in 1993.

Wilkes Community College works with the prison to provide classes in computers and life skills training. Classes for adult education and preparation for the GED tests are available. Inmates may also take a course on substance abuse and drug abuse education programs.

Inmates work in a number of jobs. They may be assigned to community work squads, Department of Transportation road crews or as maintenance or kitchen help at the prison. Inmates nearing parole may participate in work release, leaving the prison for part of the day to work for a business in the community.

Visitation: For visitation procedures, please click here to view or print the standard brochure that is handed out at the facility. The brochure is in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format so you will need Adobe Reader to view.

DIRECTIONS: FROM RALEIGH- I-40 West to Winston-Salem. Take EXT #188 (US421 Yadkinville), travel 421North to Wilkes County. Take EXT # 282 (HWY115 North Wilkesboro) Turn Right at top of the exit. Go approx. 2.5 miles. Facility located on left of HWY 115.

FROM WEST- Take I- 40 East to Hwy 16North (Newton-Taylorsville EXIT) Stay on HWY 16N through Taylorsville. Continue on HWY 16N. Exit onto US 421South in Wilkes County. Go to second exit, #282 (HWY 115 N. Wilkesboro-Statesville exit).Turn left onto HWY 115 N. Travel approx. 2.5 miles. Facility located on left of HWY 115.

FROM SOUTH- Take I- 77 North to Exit # 73. Take US 421 North to Wilkes County. Take EXT # 282 (HWY115 North Wilkesboro) Turn Right at top of the exit. Go approx. 2.5 miles. Facility located on left of HWY 115.