NCDPS - Western Correctional Center for Women

State Prison

Last Updated: February 14, 2024
Address
55 Lake Eden Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Beds
366
County
Buncombe
Phone
828-259-6000
Fax
828-686-0538
Email
cpvisit@doc.state.nc.us
Mailing Address
PO Box 609, Black Mountain, NC 28711-0609

Western CC is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for State - minimum facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of NCDPS - Western Correctional Center for Women

You can support your loved ones at Western CC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 828-259-6000.

Located at 55 Lake Eden Rd in Black Mountain, NC, Western CC carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Western CC offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on NCDPS - Western Correctional Center for Women so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

The Western Correctional Center for Women serves as a unique facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and empowerment of female offenders in a minimum-security setting. With a capacity of 664 inmates, it offers a transformative environment aimed at fostering positive change and equipping women with the tools they need to reintegrate successfully into society.

Western Correctional Center wasn't always its current iteration. Initially known as the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women, it opened its doors in 2008, welcoming women previously housed at the Black Mountain Correctional Center. Over time, the facility has undergone significant renovations, reflecting its commitment to providing a conducive and empowering space.

Four dormitories – Greenwood, Frye, Sloop, and Gilliat – have been revitalized, creating comfortable and secure living spaces for residents. Additionally, the renovation of the vocational building provided a dedicated educational classroom and a functioning greenhouse, offering opportunities for hands-on learning and skill development. Expanding further, the Buchanan building received an upgrade to accommodate the growing inmate population. This includes additional educational classrooms and a dedicated medical wing, ensuring access to both academic and healthcare resources.

But Western CC doesn't solely focus on infrastructure. It prioritizes rehabilitation through a diverse range of educational and vocational programs. From Adult Basic Education and GED preparation to computer skills training, the center empowers women to build a strong foundation for future success. Programs like Focus On Freedom address specific needs, equipping participants with life skills and knowledge necessary for successful reintegration.

Looking beyond traditional academics, Western Correctional Center offers unique programs like horticulture and hospitality training. In the thriving greenhouse, women cultivate not just plants but also valuable skills and a sense of responsibility. The hospitality program provides practical training, preparing participants for potential careers in the industry after release. Additionally, the veterinary care program fosters compassion and responsibility while teaching valuable skills.

Western Correctional Center stands as a testament to the potential for correctional facilities to be more than just places of confinement. Through its holistic approach that combines infrastructure improvements, diverse educational and vocational programs, and a focus on individual needs, it empowers women to build brighter futures for themselves and contribute positively to society upon release.

Inmate Locator

Western CC maintains a database of current inmates and their locations within the system. To locate an inmate, begin by using the DOC locator tool, which requires entering the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name, allowing for variations in spelling.

If unable to locate the desired information through free resources, users may opt to use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment. While this option incurs a small fee, it provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Get an Arrest Record immediately.

Visitation Information

Visits to NCDPS offenders are by appointment only. Call the prison where the offender is housed to schedule an appointment. Visitors should call the prison the day before a scheduled visit to confirm the facility's visitation status. Also, video visitation now is available at most but not all prisons, so family and friends may be able to do a virtual visit if they prefer. Call the prison for additional information on video visitation at the facility.
Visitation by family and friends is encouraged and can make a positive difference during an offender's time in prison. Prison staff understand the importance of offenders maintaining contact with their family and friends. However, offenders can not be assigned to specific facilities within the prison system for the convenience of visitation.

For more information regarding prisons and visitation, please read the Handbook for Family and Friends of Offenders.
The increased safety and security measures are implemented to address, and ultimately eliminate, the introduction of contraband into state prisons. Any refusal to comply with all search procedures will result in the denial of entrance into the facility. Cell phones are considered contraband and are prohibited from all prison facilities. Appropriate attire is required

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.