What Work and Education Opportunities Are Available to Inmates at Forsyth Correctional Center?

Forsyth Correctional Center is a minimum security prison for adult males in Winston-Salem. The minimum security classification is why work release and study release opportunities exist here. Some assignments involve structured work or classes outside typical on-unit routines.

Offenders at Forsyth get assigned to work release jobs. When your loved one mentions "work release," they're usually talking about an assignment that supports daily operations and builds routine. These jobs often happen off the main living unit under supervision. Assignments vary based on facility needs and what someone is approved to do. The facility publicly lists two examples of work release placements that families commonly hear about.

• ✓ Community work squads
• ✓ Department of Transportation (DOT) road squads

On Unit Jobs

• ✓ Janitor jobs
• ✓ Maintenance worker jobs
• ✓ Food service jobs

Forsyth also offers study release opportunities where offenders take education courses. If your loved one wants to stay busy, earn credentials, or prepare for work after release, these education options are often central to that plan. The term "study release" means different things in different systems, so details matter. The key point for families: education is available at Forsyth through study release courses, and your loved one can ask staff about participation once they're eligible.

Surry Community College provides vocational training at the Dobson Educational Center. This training focuses on practical job skills: hands-on preparation for people building a work history and planning for reentry. The college also offers educational courses at the same location. If your loved one mentions taking classes "through the college" or going to the Dobson Educational Center, this is what they mean: a partnership that supports both vocational training and academic coursework.

Public descriptions of Forsyth's programs list the types of opportunities available, but they don't explain who qualifies, how long waitlists run, what the daily schedule looks like, or how assignments work. The fastest way to get answers is for your loved one to ask staff directly about the specific program or job they want. If you're supporting from the outside, help your loved one stay organized. Remind them to ask about next steps, write down program names correctly, and track any paperwork or requests they submit. Small details make a real difference when competing for a class or job slot.

• ✓ What are the eligibility requirements for this job or class (custody level, discipline history, time remaining, medical limits)?
• ✓ How does someone apply or get assigned, and who makes the decision?
• ✓ Are there waitlists, and if so, what affects priority?
• ✓ What is the typical schedule (days, hours, length of the program)?
• ✓ Is there pay for the work assignment, and if so, how is it calculated and issued?
• ✓ What happens if someone is removed from a job or class, and how can they reapply?
• ✓ Are there completion certificates or documented hours that can be used later?
• ✓ What rules apply while on work release or study release (supervision, conduct expectations, required uniforms or materials)?