Volunteering in North Carolina Prisons: Who Can Help, Typical Roles, and How Service Counts Toward State Jobs

Craven Correctional Institution is located at 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586.

For correspondence, use the mailing address: P.O. Box 839, Vanceboro, NC 28586.

Have questions about volunteering? Call Craven Correctional Institution at 252-244-3337. A quick call can connect you with the volunteer coordinator and save you time figuring out the right process.

North Carolina's Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC) relies on volunteers to fill gaps where community support makes a real difference. That might mean teaching a class, helping with facility tasks, or offering practical guidance to incarcerated individuals working toward reentry.

NC DAC's guidance sets a baseline: you must be at least 21 years old. Beyond that, the state looks for maturity and life experience. Someone who has worked through their own challenges is often better equipped to offer steady support and encouragement.

Common Activities

• ✓ Provide special instruction in a particular area (for example, tutoring)
• ✓ Conduct classes

Thinking about state employment down the road? Volunteering can help. NC DAC states that documented volunteer service can count toward training and experience requirements for state jobs in North Carolina. The key word is documented. Treat your volunteer work like professional experience - track what you did and when, keep records organized, and be ready to show proof if a job application asks for training hours or relevant experience.

1. Document your service as you go - keep a simple record of dates, hours, and what you did so your volunteer work is easy to verify later.
2. Request verification from the facility - documented volunteer service can count toward state employment requirements, so ask about written confirmation of your service; you can start by calling Craven Correctional Institution at 252-244-3337.
3. Include your documentation with state job materials - when you apply for state employment, use your volunteer records to support any training and experience requirements you’re claiming.

Before applying, review NC DAC's volunteering information to understand what roles are available. This can help you narrow down what you want to do - whether that's instruction like tutoring, or another type of support role within the prison system.

1. Call the facility - reach Craven Correctional Institution at 252-244-3337 and ask who handles volunteer inquiries.
2. Ask what the facility needs right now - explain the type of service you’re interested in and ask what opportunities are currently available.
3. Confirm what you must complete before starting - ask what screenings, references, or other steps are required before you can be approved.
4. Use the correct address for in-person or mailed items - if you’re directed to drop something off or send paperwork, confirm whether it should go to 600 Alligator Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586.

• ✓ Background screening
• ✓ References
• ✓ Training (confirm what’s required for the specific role and facility)